The raids on the Xá Lợi Pagoda in August 1963 were pivotal moments in the escalating Buddhist crisis in South Vietnam. Following oppressive policies against Buddhists by the government of President Ngô Đình Diệm, particularly by his brother Ngô Đình Nhu, tensions reached a boiling point. The U.S. government's increasing concern about the fallout from these raids led to cables from the U.S. State Department to the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. The cables urged military leaders of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam to consider launching a coup against Diệm if he did not take immediate action to remove Nhu, who was seen as a chief architect of the government's anti-Buddhist policies. This intervention marked a significant moment in U.S. foreign policy in Vietnam, showcasing a shift towards supporting military intervention in foreign governments when faced with public unrest.

The military generals, encouraged by these diplomatic communications, began to view the U.S. support as a potential backing for their own power ambitions. The actions of the State Department illustrated an important turning point in U.S. engagement in Vietnam, where the focus shifted from merely supporting Diệm to fostering a change in leadership. This set the stage for the eventual coup in November where Diệm was overthrown and assassinated, reshaping the political landscape of South Vietnam and the U.S. strategy in the region.