Today is the birthdate of Guanyin Bodhisattva. We were woken up with chains of firecrackers, as is the custom of Fujian to not just make offerings of incense, but for special occasions, bring out the fireworks. The town was lit up by fireworks at night, and throughout the day, pilgrims go to temples like this one to pay respects. Fujian province, the home of tea, is the most Buddhist of the provinces, where many folks believe themselves to be Buddhists without actually practicing with more than once a year offerings at New Year’s. Still, when asked what they thought being Buddhist meant, they say it meant ‘to be a good person, and not to be greedy. ’ I’ll take that.
