A fresh narrative from the docent at Hongjue Temple

Built in the year 941, Hongjue Temple has long served as a vital bridge between successive central governments and Tibetan Buddhism. Jiayang arrived at the temple in 2014 and now serves as both a monk and a docent. From guarding the main hall to pursuing advanced studies at a Buddhist institute, he has integrated his improved Mandarin and deepened understanding of Buddhist teachings into his daily tours. Every day, Jiayang shares the stories of unity embodied in Hongjue Temple, conveying the belief that people of different ethnic groups should remain as closely united as "pomegranate seeds that stick together." In June 2024, President Xi Jinping visited the temple—which greatly inspired Jiayang. He expressed his determination to honor Xi's encouragement by delving deeper into the temple's rich historical and cultural heritage and working to develop the site into a hub for fostering awareness of the Chinese national community. Through these efforts, he hopes to help the seeds of ethnic unity take root and flourish.