The Xá Lợi Pagoda raids marked a significant escalation in the conflict between the South Vietnamese government and the Buddhist community. Following a series of protests against the Diệm regime, which was perceived as biased towards Catholicism and repressive of other religions, tensions reached a boiling point in the summer of 1963. On this occasion, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam's Special Forces, acting under the orders of Ngô Đình Nhu, targeted Buddhist pagodas, resulting in numerous arrests and violent confrontations. The raids included attacks on several prominent Buddhist temples, sparking outrage among the Buddhist populace and sympathizers across the globe.

In the aftermath of these raids, reports indicated that hundreds of Buddhists had lost their lives. The events drew widespread criticism both domestically and internationally, amplifying the image of the Diệm administration as increasingly authoritarian. The brutal suppression aimed at quelling dissentate in the Buddhist community failed to achieve stability and instead ignited further unrest. Images of the violence and brutality from the raids were disseminated through international media, garnering further attention to the South Vietnam government's actions.

This confrontation between the Buddhist community, seeking equality and recognition, and the South Vietnamese government became a focal point for resistance movements and would later influence key events in the Vietnam War. The Xá Lợi Pagoda raids signaled a profound shift not only in religious tolerance within Vietnam but also illustrated the growing divide and the emergence of political alliances among various factions in the country, particularly as American involvement deepened.