The young monk in crimson robes rushed from room to room in the temple, talking with local residents about the coming religious festival. A frail 86-year-old lama with tinted glasses sat outdoors. He had just napped. Taking part in morning rituals had tired him out, he said. He was being hosted by the young monk, Nanqian, who was the only lama living year-round at the temple. That meant Nanqian, more than any other resident of the mountain town of Hongwansi, shouldered responsibility for keeping local religious traditions alive. Read more
