It was my third morning in the Chinese mainland’s coastal city of Qingdao, and dawn had washed the streets clean. Yesterday’s rain lingered in the air, now scented with sea brine and the promise of a new day.
Through the ornate gates of Zhanshan Temple on Zhanshan Mountain, towering pines formed a living archway. Beneath their shade, locals gathered around low stools, sharing hushed conversations over steaming tea in glass jars. Doves fluttered at an elder’s feet, pecking at crumbs dropped with gentle care.
A thin veil of incense drifted from the temple halls, carrying the six-syllable mantra "Om mani padme hum." Rooted in Tibetan Buddhism, this chant—"Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus"—beckoned visitors toward compassion and clarity, each syllable said to purify human imperfections.
Outside the main hall, rows of black iron pavilions held pink lotus candles and coils of incense burning in pools of molten wax. Nearby, wooden prayer plaques bobbed in the breeze, each inscribed with personal hopes for health, love or peace.
Inside, the murmur of voices deepened around golden Buddha statues, their serenity mirrored in every silent bow. I found myself aligning my breath to the chant’s rhythm. Despite my lack of formal faith, warmth rose within me, bringing tears of gentle release and a fleeting sense of both infinite calm and tender humility.
Stepping back into the courtyard, the weight of everyday thoughts had lifted. Watching visitors drift between halls, I reflected on a quiet truth: in this land of many faiths, where temples, mosques and churches stand side by side, coexistence is more than tolerance—it’s a living practice of unity.
This glimpse into Qingdao’s morning rituals is part of "China, Soft Focus," a slow journalism series offering intimate, human-centered views of life on the Chinese mainland.
Reference(s):
Incense, stained glass, and the tide: Tracing serenity in Qingdao
cgtn.com
