Category: Culture Exchange

Healthy and Easy Vegetarian Recipes for Early Summer

linda chang1 Comment

I’ve always enjoyed exploring new recipes, especially when they’re healthy, simple to prepare, and vegetarian. There’s something deeply satisfying about discovering fresh flavors that not only nourish the body but also bring joy to my family and friends.

Recently, I came across a collection of easy and wholesome recipes on Zhaxi Zhuoma’s website. These dishes are perfect for early summer—light, refreshing, and full of natural goodness. I’m excited to share a few of my favorites with you here. I hope they inspire you to enjoy healthy cooking as much as I do!

Tofu with Gochujang Sauce

I fell in love with gochujang and when I bought my first tub from Amazon, I tried it on everything—ok, I didn’t put it on ice cream, but I considered it. It is complex and good enough to just use by itself with a little oil or butter, maybe cut with miso or doenjang (Korean soybean paste) if it is too spicy. Different varieties vary in sweetness and heat, so go easy with it until you get the Goldilock spot for you. I use gochujang paste which keeps forever and is more concentrated. Sometimes it is sold as a sauce and comes with other ingredients like vinegar and sugar added. It is cheaper and can be used, but adjust the other ingredients you add accordingly.

The following is a wish list—use what you have on hand. I rarely have all the ingredients when I feel an urge for Korean flavors. You can use the sauce alone, too—without the tofu or with beans, chicken breasts, shrimp, hamburger, etc. There are some other options to consider.

GOCHUJANG SAUCE

1/4 cup soy sauce

1-2 tbsp gochujang (may be part Korean doenjang or Japanese miso)

1 tsp-2 tbsp maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, monk’s fruit, molasses

1 tbsp avocado or olive oil

1/2 tsp sesame oil

1 clove of garlic, minced or grated

1 inch ginger, minced or chopped

Lime juice & zest or rice vinegar to taste

1/2 tsp black pepper

Toasted sesame seeds sprinkled in

1-2 scallion chopped, white parts may be sauteed first

TOFU

1 tub firm tofu

Neutral oil for sauteing

TOPPINGS:  Green scallions, Sesame seeds, Diced seeded tomatoes, Diced bell peppers, Diced Chili peppers, raw or canned or pickled, Grated cheese, Greek yogurt-whole milk best, Sour cream, Diced Avocados, Fresh raw corn cut off cob, Shredded crisp lettuce or other greens, Finely chopped parsley or cilantro leaves, Finely chopped nuts-walnuts, peanuts, cashews, Fried or poached egg, Baby Shrimp (non-vegetarian), Red onion pickle, etc.

SERVING:  rice, noodles, polenta, pasta, lettuce leaves.

SAUCE OPTIONS:   If you can’t find gochujang, ketchup or tomato paste and chili powder is an option, but no substitute; Coconut milk; Fish sauce (non-vegetarian); Anchovies (non-vegetarian); Kimchi (often non-vegetarian); Grated apple or pear for sweetener; Chickpeas or beans.

Directions:

If you want to use grated cheese as a topping, and I do recommend it, try grating it from a brick and avoid the prepackaged grated cheese. I finally understood why—too often the commercial gratings are dusted with something to preserve shelf-life and they do not melt correctly.

TOFU-CRUMBLED or CUBED:  If you use crumbled tofu, it is best to leave in tub in freezer overnight or longer. The ice crystals that form when frozen -thaw- and extract the water from within the tofu.  You can squeeze the tofu like a sponge and it will expel the majority of the water. It then is very able to absorb whatever sauce you put on it. If you don’t have time to freeze and thaw it, you can still dry or press tofu to remove as much water as possible, then crumble unfrozen tofu with a fork or cut into bite-size cubes. Either way saute  tofu until crispy in neutral oil and add sauce.

TOFU-AIRFRY:  You may also cut tofu into slabs pressing out as much water as possible and then either just rub or spray slab with oil or first dip in starch/flour or Panko crumbs or egg or combination of these and then airfry at 400F for about 10 minutes on both sides or until golden.

Serve tofu with Gochujang Sauce on rice, noodles, polenta, or pasta with your choice of topping(s) or wrap a piece of tofu in lettuce leaves with topping(s) and eat like tiny tamales with your favorite dipping sauce.

Eggs Florentine-Air Fryer or Oven

Eggs and spinach are always good together. This is just a contemporary version of a classic. I’m using my air fryer again as I am cooking in my cave instead of the temple kitchen. I do that when someone is doing a Solitary Retreat and needs the kitchen. I try to not have any contact with anyone on such a retreat, but I do sometimes forget, especially when the person doing the retreat is so quiet that I even forget they are also living here. Last week I heard someone shaking the screen door leading to the kitchen and I was sure it was our very pregnant Lucy Lentil trying to find a nest inside and I yelled. She had already ripped the screen and managed to get in before. I had forgotten to close the back door when I went to water the herbs and veggies. It was not Momma Lucy, but a very startled and thoughtful person trying her best to observe silence. Embarassed? Yes,very. Sorry.

Ingredients:

  • 3 Cups Fresh or frozen spinach, thawed and drained,
  • 1/4 Kosher salt,
  • 1/2 Cup Ricotta cheese,
  • 2 Tbsp Heavy cream or coconut cream,
  • 2 Garlic cloves, minced (optional),
  • 1/8 tsp Black pepper,
  • 2 tsp Unsalted butter, melted,
  • 3 Tbsp Grated parmesan cheese,
  • 1/2 Cup Panko gluten-free crumbs,
  • 4 Large eggs.

Directions:

Mix spinach, ricotta, cream, garlic (if used), salt & pepper. Also mix butter, cheese, and panko. Set aside. Scoop spinach mixture into individual serving circles on oiled air fryer basket or sheet pan. Set air fryer to AIR ROAST, set temperature to 375F degrees, and set time to 15 minutes select START/PAUSE to begin preheating. When preheated, slide basket or sheet pan into oven. After 8 minutes, press PAUSE and remove the pan. Make an indentation in each spinach serving, crack an egg into the indentation and sprinkle with panko mixture over the surface of the egg. 

Return the pan to oven and push START to resume cooking. After 5 minutes, check eggs. Cook longer, if needed.

CONVENTIONAL OVEN: Set temperature at 400F degrees. May need to be cooked a few minutes more at each stage.

Chocolate Waffles

Ingredients

  • 4 Eggs, whisked
  • 1/3 Cup canned coconut milk
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup or raw honey (some kind of sweetener)
  • 1 1/2 Cups almond meal/flour
  • 2 Tbsp heaping unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 Cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Sprinkle of cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Toppings

Apple sauce, unsweetened creamy almond butter, Greek Yogurt
coconut butter warmed to liquid state
raw pecans chopped
dark chocolate chopped
blueberries

Directions:

Plug in waffle iron. Whisk eggs in a medium-large sized bowl.
Add coconut milk and sweetener and whisk together with eggs.
Next add almond flour and mix more! Then add cocoa powder, baking soda and mix together.

Lastly, add in your chocolate chips, vanilla, salt and cinnamon. Mix together thoroughly.
Pour into waffle iron and cook until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes, until cooked through and crisped up.

4 Servings. I really liked them with the apple sauce toppings and Greek yogurt, but the more traditional maple syrup and butter are great, too. Enjoy!

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2025/06/13/healthy-and-easy-vegetarian-recipes-for-early-summer/

Source: https://www.zhaxizhuoma.org/category/food-2/

Dharma Master Yongding: A Life of Compassion, Realization, and True Cultivation

linda changLeave a comment

Dharma Master Yongding was a direct disciple of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, personally taught by His Holiness. A monk of true cultivation and realization, Dharma Master Yongding lived a life of noble deeds and profound spiritual accomplishments. He embodied the virtues of the ancient enlightened monks—pure in conduct, boundless in compassion, and unwavering in his commitment to benefiting all sentient beings.

Before becoming a monk, Dharma Master Yongding was known as Li Xiangchen, a kind-hearted and widely respected man from Dayi County in Sichuan Province. His compassion and moral character were already legendary even in his youth.

During a catastrophic drought, in Li Xiangchen‘s hometown, one the region hadn’t seen in a hundred years—Buddhist and Daoist masters prayed for rain for months, but to no avail. Not a single drop of water could be found.

Then, one night, two villagers had the same dream. A divine being told them that only with the signature of a man named Li Xiangchen could rain be summoned. The two searched everywhere and eventually found him. After they delivered his signed name to the altar and burned the paper, a torrential rain fell instantly, ending the long drought. The event left villagers in awe and firmly established Li Xiangchen’s reputation as a man of virtue and divine affinity.

During China’s devastating three-year famine in the 1960s, emergency food rations were being distributed. When officials asked Li how much his household needed, he replied that his family still had food and didn’t need any. His wife, stunned by this answer, brought the official to their home. There, they found only two catties (a little over two pounds) of rice left.

When asked why he had lied, Li quietly responded,

“So many people are starving. I just can’t bring myself to eat while others go hungry. I only feel at peace if everyone can survive this together.” His selflessness deeply moved everyone who heard his words.

In another act of compassion, while working at the Jin Dongzi Reservoir where laborers received rice rations, Li Xiangchen gave all his rice to his struggling friend Pei Yinchang, who was raising two young children. When Pei noticed that Li was growing increasingly frail, he begged him to keep some rice for himself. Li refused.

Pei later visited the reservoir to learn how Li was surviving. The workers there told him, “Mr. Li survives by digging wild roots and vegetables to make porridge. No one knows what happened to his rice.” Pei was stunned and moved to tears.

Later on, Li Xiangchen began studying Buddhism under a master. He observed the precepts with great discipline and practiced with a heart of sincerity and humility. His compassion became so palpable that even animals responded to it.

One day, while walking down a mountain, a vicious dog leapt at him. Calmly, he said:“Go ahead and bite me. This is a matter of karmic cause and effect.” As the dog neared, just two or three feet away, it suddenly stopped, yelped, tucked its tail, and ran away.

After becoming a Buddhist, Li Xiangchen adopted a vegetarian lifestyle. On one occasion, his master encouraged him to eat a little meat because he appeared thin and weak. But Li simply smiled and ate only plain rice.

When asked later why he didn’t follow his master’s advice, he replied:

“Please tell my master:
First, I deeply respect Him, but I carry heavy karmic debts and dare not eat meat.
Second, if gaining the Dharma and achieving liberation requires me to disregard the lives of sentient beings, then I would rather not attain liberation—I’d rather fall into hell.
Third, I cannot harm others just to benefit myself. If I did, I would no longer be a true practitioner.”

His integrity and compassion deeply touched his master, who later transmitted to him the sacred practice of the Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig). Through dedicated practice, he reached a level of spiritual realization said to rival the great Milarepa himself.

In 1990, when his karmic conditions ripened, Li Xiangchen became a disciple of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. His Holiness personally expounded to him the profound meaning of Prajna (transcendent wisdom). As a result, he awakened great wisdom and thoroughly realized the state of Prajna.

His attainments became unfathomably profound. He could connect with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and had deep spiritual communion with heavenly realms.

When the Dayi County government began construction of the Master Yi Yungao (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III) Museum in 1994, Dharma Master Yongding consulted with the Heavenly Emperor about the upcoming three months of weather. Every day, he wrote forecasts in the worksite dining hall—and for three full months, not a single forecast was wrong.

On another occasion, with a mere wave of his hand, he split a tree trunk a kilometer away. The tree was so thick it would take two people to encircle it. Witnesses were astounded.

Dharma Master Yongding lived by the principle that the Dharma must be obtained through a pure and selfless heart, without the slightest trace of falsehood. He placed the interests of all living beings before his own and upheld the precepts with unwavering resolve.

He was a true practitioner of great compassion, an exemplar of moral discipline, and a living model for all Buddhist disciples. His life reminds us that genuine realization comes not from words, but from the way we live, love, and serve others.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/06/12/dharma-master-yongding-a-life-of-compassion-realization-and-true-cultivation/

What Happens After Death? Unraveling the Mystery of Existence

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What Happens After Death? Unraveling the Mystery of Existence
Photo Credit: Unsplash.com

The Enigma of Existence: Exploring Life After Death

The concept of life after death has intrigued humanity for centuries. Different cultures, philosophies, and religions have provided varying explanations, yet the mystery remains. Is there life after death, or does consciousness simply cease to exist when the body dies? In this article, we explore some of the most prominent beliefs and theories surrounding the enigma of existence after death, seeking to understand this profound question from multiple perspectives.

What Are the Most Common Beliefs About Life After Death?

Throughout history, many cultures and religions have proposed theories about life after death. Religious scholars suggest that the idea of an afterlife serves to give people comfort and meaning in the face of mortality. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism all have distinct views on the afterlife, each offering unique insights into the question of what happens after death.

In Christianity, for example, life after death is often seen as either eternal life in heaven or eternal separation from God in hell. Researchers point out that many Christians believe that the soul lives on after the body dies, and that salvation or damnation is determined by one’s actions during their lifetime.

In Hinduism, the concept of reincarnation is central. According to this belief, the soul is reborn in a new body after death, and the circumstances of the new life are determined by the actions (karma) of the previous life. Philosophers argue that this cycle of death and rebirth is a form of spiritual evolution, with the ultimate goal being moksha, or liberation from the cycle of reincarnation.

Buddhism also supports the idea of reincarnation, but with an emphasis on achieving enlightenment to break free from the cycle of rebirth. Experts note that Buddhism teaches that attachment to the self is the source of suffering, and liberation occurs when one transcends the ego and achieves nirvana.

Scientific Views on Life After Death

From a scientific standpoint, the question of life after death is more complex. The majority of scientists assert that there is no empirical evidence to support the idea that consciousness survives after death. Neuroscientists argue that consciousness is a product of brain activity, and when the brain ceases to function, so does consciousness.

There are notable phenomena that have intrigued researchers. Medical professionals have documented instances of near-death experiences (NDEs), where individuals report vivid sensations, such as a sense of floating above their body, moving through a tunnel, or encountering deceased loved ones. While these experiences are often interpreted by some as evidence of life after death, psychologists suggest that they may be explained by the brain’s reaction to trauma, oxygen deprivation, or the release of chemicals like DMT.

While science cannot definitively answer the question of what happens after death, these experiences have raised questions about the nature of consciousness and whether it is entirely tied to the brain. The debate continues, and more research is needed to explore the mysteries of the human mind.

Near-Death Experiences: Are They Evidence of Life After Death?

Near-death experiences (NDEs) have become a focal point in discussions about life after death. People who have experienced NDEs often describe sensations of peace, floating outside their body, or meeting beings of light. Some researchers hypothesize that these experiences are the result of a brain in distress, attempting to make sense of its impending shutdown.

Many individuals who have experienced NDEs report feeling profound transformations in their lives afterward, including a greater sense of purpose or reduced fear of death. Experts in the field of psychology and consciousness studies suggest that these transformations could point to an experience beyond the physical brain, offering a glimpse into an afterlife.

The question remains: do these experiences represent glimpses into an afterlife, or are they simply a product of the brain’s complex workings during moments of trauma? The scientific community continues to study these occurrences, and while answers remain elusive, the personal testimonies of those who have undergone NDEs continue to fuel interest in the idea of life after death.

What Philosophical Theories Are There About Life After Death?

In addition to religious and scientific perspectives, philosophical theories about life after death explore the nature of existence and consciousness. Philosophers have long debated whether consciousness is purely a physical phenomenon or if it could exist independently of the body.

One of the most famous theories comes from the philosopher René Descartes, who posited that the mind and body are separate entities. According to Descartes’ dualism, the mind (or soul) can exist independently of the body and could potentially continue after death. Modern philosophers who follow dualistic thinking often suggest that consciousness may not be confined to the brain and could persist beyond the body’s death.

On the other hand, materialist philosophers argue that consciousness is entirely dependent on the brain, and once the brain ceases to function, consciousness ceases as well. These contrasting viewpoints continue to shape the ongoing philosophical discussion on the nature of life after death.

Can Science and Religion Coexist in Understanding Life After Death?

While science and religion often present differing views on life after death, some thinkers suggest that they need not be mutually exclusive. Interdisciplinary experts argue that the two perspectives can coexist, offering a fuller understanding of the mystery. Religion provides spiritual and moral frameworks for understanding the afterlife, while science explores the empirical, physical aspects of life and death.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in integrating scientific and spiritual perspectives on consciousness. Some researchers are exploring the idea that consciousness might exist beyond the brain, and that this may have implications for understanding life after death. Scholars in the field of consciousness studies have suggested that more research is needed to bridge the gap between spiritual and scientific explanations of existence after death.

The enigma of life after death remains unsolved. Whether through religious beliefs, scientific inquiry, or philosophical speculation, humanity continues to seek answers to this profound question, driven by the desire to understand what happens after we take our final breath.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/06/09/what-happens-after-death-unraveling-the-mystery-of-existence/

Source: https://worldreporter.com/what-happens-after-death-unraveling-the-mystery-of-existence/

Dragon Boat Festival and Duanwu Jie

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The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Jie, is one of the four major traditional Chinese festivals, alongside the Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, and Mid-Autumn Festival. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which is why it is also called the “Double Fifth Festival” (Chongwu Jie, 重五节). On the Gregorian calendar, it usually falls in late May or early June.

In addition to Chinese mainland, many other Asian countries and regions also celebrate this festival. In Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Taiwan, China, it is known as Bak Chang Festival (‘Dumpling Festival’). Learn more facts about the Dragon Boat Festival

Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important?

Many believe that the Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan, a renowned Chinese poet and minister known for his patriotism and profound contributions to classical poetry. He ultimately became a national hero.

However, historical evidence shows that the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival actually predate Qu Yuan’s death. The festival’s earliest roots are tied to the fifth lunar month, which the ancients considered the “month of poison.” As summer began, people were more prone to illness, and epidemics often spread. This made the month seem ominous, prompting ancient communities to adopt various practices to ward off disease and evil spirits.

Thus, the Dragon Boat Festival was originally observed as a traditional health and wellness festival. It was a time for people to carry out rituals and customs aimed at protecting themselves from illness and repelling harmful forces.

Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Festival Customs

The customs of the Dragon Boat Festival can generally be divided into two main categories. One centers on honoring dragons and historical heroes—most notably Qu Yuan—while the other focuses on warding off evil spirits and promoting health and well-being.

1. Honoring Heroes and Dragons

a. Eating Sticky Rice Dumplings

dragon boat festival celebration, eating sticky rice dumplings

Zongzi (粽子, zòngzi) are the most iconic food of the Dragon Boat Festival. According to legend, after the patriotic poet Qu Yuan drowned himself in the river, local people threw lumps of rice into the water to prevent fish from eating his body. This evolved into the custom of making zongzi.

Traditionally, families would prepare and share homemade zongzi. Today, while some older generations still hand-make them, most people buy them from restaurants or bakeries.

Zongzi are made with glutinous rice and often filled with meats, beans, or other ingredients. They are wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves into triangular or rectangular shapes and tied with soaked stalks or colorful silk cords. Flavors and fillings vary widely across different regions of China.

b. Participating or Watching Dragon Boat Races

dragon boat festival celebration, dragon boat race

Dragon boat racing is the most exciting and prominent activity during the festival. The sport is said to have originated from people paddling out in boats to search for Qu Yuan’s body after his tragic death in 278 BCE.

Another theory suggests that the races originated more than 2,000 years ago as a ritual to worship the Dragon God or Water God.

The boats are traditionally carved and painted to resemble dragons. Depending on the region, each boat can carry 30 to 60 paddlers. Teams row in unison to the rhythm of pounding drums, creating a thrilling and energetic spectacle. Winning is believed to bring good luck and happiness for the year ahead.

Some of the most famous races take place in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou.

2. Warding Off Evil and Promoting Health

a. Hanging Chinese Mugwort and Calamus

dragon boat festival celebration

The festival coincides with the early summer season, a time when illnesses were historically more common. Mugwort and calamus are medicinal herbs used to prevent disease and repel pests. Their strong fragrances are believed to drive away flies, mosquitoes, and negative energies.

On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, people clean their homes and hang these herbs on their doors to protect against illness and bring good luck.

b. Drinking Realgar Wine

dragon boat festival celebration,

A traditional saying goes: “Drinking realgar wine drives away disease and evil spirits.” Realgar wine is made from fermented grains and realgar, a red mineral (arsenic sulfide) once believed to be an all-purpose antidote.

Historically, people drank realgar wine to kill insects, detoxify the body, and protect against spiritual harm.

c. Wearing Perfume Pouches

dragon boat festival celebration,

Before the festival, parents prepare small, colorful silk pouches filled with fragrant herbs or perfume for their children. These are either worn around the neck or pinned to clothing as ornaments.

Perfume pouches are believed to offer protection from evil spirits and disease, and are a cherished custom that blends health with artistry.

The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival

There are many legends about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. The most popular ones are as follows:

Why Dragon Boat Festival Celebrated

The Death of Qu Yuan

The most widely accepted origin of the Dragon Boat Festival is its commemoration of Qu Yuan (340–278 BCE), a patriotic poet and loyal official of the Chu State during the Warring States Period. When his beloved state fell to the Qin, Qu Yuan, devastated by the loss, drowned himself in the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

Local people, deeply moved by his patriotism, raced out in boats to rescue him or retrieve his body, but their efforts were in vain. To keep fish and evil spirits from disturbing his remains, they beat drums and threw rice dumplings into the river. These traditions evolved into the dragon boat races and the custom of eating zongzi that continue today.

The Unlucky Fifth Month

Another explanation for the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival relates to the traditional Chinese calendar and seasonal beliefs. Since ancient times, the fifth lunar month was considered an unlucky time and was even referred to as the “Month of Poison” (毒月). This was when the “Five Poisonous Creatures” (五毒 wǔ dú)—centipedes, scorpions, snakes, toads, and spiders—began to appear in greater numbers due to the warming weather. Disease, pestilence, and natural disasters were also more prevalent during this period.

The fifth day of the fifth month, or the “Double Fifth,” was seen as especially ominous. To protect themselves, people hung wormwood and calamus on their doorways and wore sachets of fragrant mugwort (xiāng bāo, 香包). The sword-like shape and pungent aroma of calamus were believed to repel both pests and evil spirits. For this reason, the Dragon Boat Festival is also sometimes referred to as the “Calamus Festival” (菖蒲节 Chāngpú Jié).

These rich and varied customs reflect the Dragon Boat Festival’s deep cultural significance, blending ancient health practices with heartfelt traditions of honor, protection, and community celebration.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/06/05/dragon-boat-festival-and-duanwu-jie/

Source: https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm

Miraculous Healing Through Repentance and the Blessings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

linda changLeave a comment

My revered Master, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, is the incarnation of the ancient, supreme Buddha. Out of boundless compassion, His Holiness willingly bears worldly hardships and concerns to rescue sentient beings from suffering. His accomplishments across the Thirty Categories of the Five Vidyas have astounded the world and brought immeasurable blessings to countless lives. These works—each awe-inspiring in its own right—will soon be compiled into a book to benefit humanity. Yet even these remarkable achievements represent only a small fraction of His Holiness’s true realization.

Most people are unaware that the Buddha Master also possesses the highest and most profound esoteric Dharma. Because His Holiness operates with the enlightened mind of a Buddha and has attained the ultimate state in Buddhism, He was able to receive the rare and authentic vajra needle lineage—a powerful healing method.

I have personally witnessed numerous people with karmic connections to the Buddha Master be cured of serious illnesses, including cancer. Among them were:

  • Guangdong Yan and Zhiyong Luo, both diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma;
  • Zhuang Yan, who suffered from skin cancer;
  • Jingxing Wu, with a brain tumor;
  • And Lehui Xie, who endured decades of debilitating phlegm, inflammation, and migraines.

I know these individuals personally. I saw them healed. People from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia who suffered from leukemia, AIDS, and strokes traveled to China to seek healing from the Buddha Master—and they, too, were cured.

This verse, from a poem written by the Buddha Master titled “To the Tune of Nian-Nu-Jiao,” perfectly captures that miraculous period:

“Three thousand suffering patients visited me,
Day and night I cured them.”

And now, I wish to share my own experience. Over twenty years ago, I stood at death’s door, suffering from late-stage uterine cancer. It was the Buddha Master who brought me back to life through the sacred power of the Buddha-Dharma.

In August of 1985, I began experiencing continuous menstruation lasting over two weeks. At first, I assumed it was just an irregularity and sought treatment through Chinese medicine, but nothing improved. I turned to Western medicine, yet the bleeding continued endlessly. After more than two months, I was transferred from a local hospital to Sichuan Provincial Hospital, where a biopsy confirmed the devastating diagnosis: late-stage uterine cancer.

Professor Zhang, the attending physician, told my husband Hui Han Da—who is also a fellow disciple of the Buddha Master—“The cancer has already spread. Surgery is no longer an option. Take her home. Let her eat what she wants, go where she wishes, and spend her final days with loved ones.”

Refusing to give up, my husband took me to Huaxi Medical University Hospital. The diagnosis remained unchanged. Still determined, he took me to the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing, then to Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and finally to Suzhou University Hospital. Each hospital gave the same grim verdict: there was nothing more they could do.

As my condition worsened, I lost the ability to eat and became emaciated, reduced to just 79 pounds. My hematin level was a mere 3 grams—far below the normal 16 grams. In a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding, my husband brought me back to Huaxi Medical University Hospital. The doctor took one look at me and shook his head:
“She has seven days left at most. Go home and prepare for her funeral.”

Back at home, lying in bed and feeling the nearness of death at only 36 years old, I told my husband through tears, “Before I die, could you please go to the Buddha Master and ask Him to help elevate my soul after I pass?”
He replied, “The Buddha Master is currently traveling, spreading the Dharma and saving beings. I will go see His Holiness once He returns.”
Silently, I prayed with all my heart to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (Guan Yin), hoping the Buddha Master would come back soon.

The very next day, around noon, a miracle happened. The Buddha Master appeared at my bedside.

I tried to get up to prostrate, but I was too weak. His Holiness gently stopped me and told me to lie still. With immense compassion, the Buddha Master began to expound the profound truths of life and the universe, explaining the root cause of suffering—how beings are bound by karma born from delusion, which leads to the inevitable cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death.

In a moment of deep reflection, I suddenly came to a painful realization: In order to make money through business, I had once helped others produce a type of beef by slaughtering more than a thousand yaks. Whether or not I had intentionally killed other living beings in the past, how many lifetimes would it take to repay the karmic debt from taking just those thousand lives?

Their blood had once flowed because of my actions—and now, my own blood flowed endlessly due to illness. It was then that I truly understood: this was karmic retribution. The causes I had planted were dark, and now I was receiving their bitter fruits. The more I contemplated this, the more fearful and remorseful I became. From the depths of my heart, I sincerely repented and prayed to the Buddha Master to elevate me to a higher realm after death.

The Buddha Master compassionately said to me:

“If you truly repent, change your ways, never again kill any living being, and resolve to learn Buddhism and cultivate yourself, I will block your negative karma and delay your retribution. Cancer is nothing formidable! I will heal you—and I will also save those yaks that you killed.”

Then and there, the Buddha Master treated me with the vajra needle—a holy object of profound lineage, part of a supreme Dharma that only a true Buddha can apply. The vajra needle is no ordinary tool; it acts according to the will of the Buddha Master. When instructed to send sensation to a specific part of the body, it obeys instantly. When told to stop, it immediately ceases. It was truly beyond anything I had ever imagined.

At the time, I was wearing both a sweater and a fur coat. His Holiness applied the needle through my clothing to an acupuncture point on my back. After releasing the needle, the Buddha Master formed various mudras (sacred hand gestures). As each mudra changed, the sensations from the needle also changed—sometimes weak, sometimes strong—spreading throughout my entire body. I felt tingling, pressure, and swelling sensations, almost too intense to endure.

Then the Buddha Master explained:“Illness arises when energy channels in the body are blocked. It’s like a machine clogged with old, dirty oil that needs to be cleaned. This treatment is cleansing and unblocking your channels. Now, with just my words, the sensations will stop.”

The moment His Holiness spoke, all sensations vanished instantly.

The second round of treatment brought even sharper sensations, again perfectly controlled by the Buddha Master. When His Holiness gave the command, the sensations stopped at once. After a third round of treatment, I felt completely at ease. The Buddha Master then said:

“Today I opened your energy channels. But for complete healing, I must prepare a medicine using the highest Buddha-Dharma methods.”

Soon after, the Buddha Master instructed my husband, Hui Han Da, and me to drive Him to a mountain village—the very place where those yaks had been slaughtered. There, in front of a large yak, the Buddha Master began preparing the medicine. My husband and I were both present.

As the Buddha Master began the ritual, a white mist suddenly appeared in the clear sky, drifting from west to east. The mist grew denser and denser until we couldn’t even see our hands before our faces. During that time, many auspicious and mysterious phenomena occurred. Once the preparation was complete, the Buddha Master had me drink the fragrant herbal liquid.

As soon as I drank it, I felt a surge of warmth fill my body, followed by a deep, refreshing coolness. I was completely rejuvenated—energetic, peaceful, and miraculously healed. The endless bleeding stopped. Overwhelmed with gratitude, I immediately prostrated before the Buddha Master, tears of joy flowing down my face.

From that day forward, I took no more medicine. My strength and body weight gradually returned to normal. One month later, a doctor from Sichuan Provincial Hospital called to follow up, assuming I had already passed away. I answered the phone myself and said:“I’m alive—and completely healed!”

He didn’t believe me and requested I come in for an examination. At the time, fellow disciple Guangdong Yan, who had also been cured by the Buddha Master of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, was visiting my home. We both agreed to go together.

The next day, we were re-examined. The test results showed not a single cancer cell in either of us. The doctors were stunned. They asked what medicine I had taken, who had treated me, and how I had recovered. I answered:“It was the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who saved me.”

It has now been twenty-one years since the Buddha Master healed me. Ever since I began sincerely practicing the Buddha-Dharma under His Holiness’s guidance, my health has only improved. Recent physical exams show that all my health indicators are excellent. I now weigh 165 pounds, more than double my weight when I was sick.

Friends and family who saw me during my illness are astonished when they see me now. Many say I look like a completely different person.

The Buddha Master also performed special Buddhist rites to liberate the yaks whose lives were taken. The compassion and grace the Buddha Master has shown me and my entire family are immeasurable.

From this life onward, all I can do to repay His Holiness is to devote myself wholeheartedly to cultivation, do good for others, and strive to attain true realization in order to be worthy of the sacred blessings and infinite kindness of my most revered Buddha Master.

Buddhist disciple,
Chi Lie Er
(This is a complete translation of the Chinese text that follows originally written
and signed by Chi Lie Er.)

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2025/06/05/miraculous-healing-through-repentance-and-the-blessings-of-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii/

The Power of Small Good Deeds

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Kindness Is Destiny

“Those who genuinely help others always end up helping themselves.”
This powerful truth was the headline of a Washington Post article recounting the inspiring life story of Carlos Gutierrez. From humble beginnings as a working-class youth, he rose to become one of the most respected figures in American business and government. His secret? A simple yet profound practice: doing one good deed a day.

Carlos Gutierrez is best remembered for saying:
“A person’s destiny is not necessarily shaped by a single great act. I believe that more often, it is shaped by small acts of kindness in everyday life.”

Born into a privileged family, Gutierrez’s early life was marked by comfort and stability. But everything changed after a revolution forced his family to flee their island home. They arrived in Miami with nothing. At the age of fifteen, to help support his family, Carlos took his first job as a waiter in a small seaside restaurant.

He was diligent, eager to learn, and even willing to work without pay. His commitment caught the eye of the restaurant owner, who invited him into his home and introduced him to his children to help Carlos improve his English.

Thanks to his strong work ethic and positive attitude, Gutierrez was soon recommended for a second job—this time as a salesman and delivery driver at a food company. Before he began, his father passed on a simple family principle: “Do one good deed a day.”
He explained that this habit had helped build their once-successful life, and urged Carlos to live by it.

Carlos took that lesson to heart. While delivering oatmeal to mom-and-pop shops around the city, he went out of his way to help others—carrying letters to nearby towns, giving children rides home from school, offering small kindnesses without ever expecting anything in return. He did this joyfully, for four years.

In his fifth year, the company recognized his contributions in a remarkable way. They promoted him to lead marketing operations for Latin America from their Mexico office. His performance review noted:
“This employee, over the past four years, has personally accounted for 40% of Florida’s total sales volume. He should be promoted.”

From there, his rise was meteoric. He took on leadership across Canada and the Asia-Pacific region, eventually becoming CEO of the company.

Later, as top American corporations like Coca-Cola and Colgate considered him for their CEO positions, President George W. Bush nominated him as Secretary of Commerce in the United States government.

Carlos Gutierrez’s story reflects a timeless truth found in Buddhist teachings. A Buddhist master once shared how, in the early days of his Dharma teaching, only a few rural housewives followed him. He taught them to practice kindness in the simplest way:
“Take a small coin from your grocery money—just a dime—and use it each day to do a good deed.”
At the end of the month, they would have performed thirty selfless acts from the heart. One good deed a day, and one’s merit grows.

The practice may seem simple, but when carried out with sincerity and perseverance, it awakens our inner awareness. Like a stream that flows quietly but never ceases, daily kindness trains the mind to stay rooted in goodness and deepens our spiritual cultivation—from surface-level thoughts to the very heart of intention.

Traditional Chinese culture also upholds the principle of “doing one good deed a day.” This value is deeply reflected in the classic text The Four Lessons of Liaofan, where Yuan Liaofan outlines a path of self-transformation through the active cultivation of virtue. By committing to perform a thousand good deeds, he not only benefited others but also profoundly changed his own destiny.

Even a single kind thought toward others is an act of goodness. A word that uplifts or benefits someone is a good deed. And a small action—no matter how minor—that helps another person is still a meaningful expression of kindness.

Whether through our thoughts, speech, or actions, if we put others first, we are cultivating virtue. That is the essence of being a good human being.

And importantly, we must remember: never withhold kindness just because it seems too small.
Do good whenever the opportunity arises. Act from the heart, with sincerity and joy—not for show, not for praise—but naturally and spontaneously, with the intention to benefit others.
This is the foundation of true bodhisattva conduct.

Goodness does not need an audience. “Virtue does not require recognition; Heaven always sees our good deeds.”
A seed of kindness, planted in silence, will one day bloom with beautiful results—often when we least expect it.

So let us each begin with just one small act of kindness a day. It may seem simple, but over time, it has the power to change not just our lives—but the world.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/06/05/the-power-of-small-good-deeds/

How to Face Unfounded Accusations and Grievances — A Lesson from the Buddha

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More than 2,500 years ago, when Shakyamuni Buddha walked the earth, even He—an enlightened being of supreme virtue—was not immune to slander and false accusations. Yet, through profound wisdom and boundless compassion, the Buddha addressed these challenges with grace, setting an eternal example for all beings on how to face adversity.

One such episode is recorded in the sutras and remains deeply relevant in our modern world, where misunderstandings and grievances often escalate due to fear, anger, or ego.

One morning in Jetavana Monastery, as the Buddha and his monks were preparing to go on their daily alms round, a group of royal guards suddenly stormed in. They announced that they were under orders to search the monastery grounds for a female corpse.

The monks were shocked. Venerable Baddiya inquired further and discovered that the deceased was Sundari, a young woman known for her recent attendance at the Buddha’s teachings. She belonged to a large sect in the city of Savatthi.

Despite the monks’ firm belief that no such thing could happen in their peaceful community, the guards began their search. To the horror of all present, Sundari’s body was found hastily buried in a shallow pit—shockingly close to the Buddha’s own residence.

The body was taken away, and almost immediately, members of Sundari’s sect began parading through the streets of Savatthi, wailing and pointing fingers. They accused the monks—disciples of the Buddha—of rape and murder. Their shouts pierced the hearts of the city’s residents:

“Is this what compassion looks like? Is this the kindness preached by the monks of the Sakya clan?”

Faith began to waver. The once-revered monks were now questioned and ridiculed. Even devout followers hesitated. Doubts crept in like shadows.

But amidst this storm of falsehood, the Buddha remained calm. He instructed his disciples:

“Do not be disturbed. Do not feel shame for what you have not done. As long as we uphold the Dharma, the truth will reveal itself.”

Compassionate Action and the Power of Truth

While the Buddha taught patience, some of his lay supporters took discreet action. Visakha, a wise and generous patroness of the Sangha, consulted with Sariputta, one of the Buddha’s chief disciples. Together, they enlisted the help of Prince Jeta and hired a private investigator to uncover the truth.

Within seven days, the real story surfaced. Two men, drunk and arguing over their ill-gotten gains, confessed: they had been paid by Sundari’s sect leader to murder her and bury the body near the monastery—an act designed solely to discredit the Buddha and his followers.

The culprits were arrested. The truth was undeniable. King Pasenadi, deeply moved and ashamed that such injustice had occurred, visited Jetavana to publicly reaffirm his trust in the Sangha.

Yet the Buddha, ever compassionate, requested the king not to seek vengeance. He said:

“As long as jealousy and hatred exist in the human heart, such misdeeds will continue. Let us rise above them, not descend to their level.”

The people of Savatthi, now enlightened by the truth, restored their faith in the Buddha and the monastic community. What began as a moment of crisis ended as a testament to the strength of integrity and the enduring power of compassion.

This story serves as a profound reminder: when facing unjust accusations, our greatest protection lies in truth, patience, and inner peace.

We cannot control the words or actions of others, but we can choose how we respond. If we hold fast to our principles, walk the path with sincerity, and act from compassion rather than reaction, the light of truth will inevitably shine through the darkness of misunderstanding.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/05/23/how-to-face-unfounded-accusations-and-grievances-a-lesson-from-the-buddha/

The Lucky Table: A Story of Kindness, Chance, and Rebirth

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For over three long months, Danny’s small restaurant had been bleeding money. What once was a bustling little eatery with lines stretching out the door had fallen silent in the shadow of economic downturn. On this particular evening, after tallying up the accounts, Danny made a heavy decision: Tonight will be the restaurant’s last night.

It was supposed to be the dinner rush, yet only a father and his young son sat at a corner table, quietly sharing a single meal. The child fidgeted and whined, while the father, clearly tired and irritable, snapped for him to be quiet.

Then the door creaked open.

A man wearing a cap and an expression of weariness stepped into the restaurant. Danny greeted him with a smile, thinking, Perhaps he’s my last customer ever… why not go the extra mile for him? Though he didn’t have much to give, Danny decided to offer a small surprise that might brighten someone’s day.

The Lucky Table

After taking the man’s order, Danny returned with a cheerful announcement:
“Congratulations! You’ve been seated at tonight’s Lucky Table! Your entire meal is on the house — and we’re including a complimentary dessert!”

The man blinked in disbelief. “I can’t believe I’m this lucky!” he said, breaking into a smile for the first time.

As Danny brought out the dessert, the man’s demeanor softened.

At the neighboring table, the little boy stared wide-eyed at the sweet treat and tugged at his father’s sleeve, begging for one too. The father, flustered and embarrassed, muttered, “We don’t have money for that. Stop fussing.”

The man at the Lucky Table noticed. He turned to Danny and said, “I’d like to share my good fortune. Could you bring a dessert to that little boy as well?”

Danny nodded and delivered the dessert. The child’s face lit up, laughing and clapping in delight. Even the father, moments ago so downtrodden, managed a smile and walked over to thank the kind stranger.

That’s when the conversation began.

The two men sat and talked. The stranger introduced himself as Kurt, the owner of a small business. Curious, he asked the father what he did for a living.

The man looked down and said dejectedly, “I was a sales manager, but the company’s shutting down. They’ve asked me to stay only until the end of the month…”

Kurt paused. “Actually… I’m currently looking for someone with experience in sales. Would you be interested in coming in for an interview tomorrow?”

The father looked stunned. “Really? Of course — thank you!”

They set the appointment, and the spark of hope in the father’s eyes was unmistakable.

That night, moved by what had unfolded, Danny changed his mind. Maybe I’ll keep going a little longer, he thought. From that day forward, he introduced a daily tradition: each evening, one table would be chosen at random to be the Lucky Table — free meals, and a sprinkle of kindness.

Word spread.

Curious customers came to try their luck, and Danny’s restaurant slowly regained its warmth and energy. It wasn’t long before the once-empty tables were full again.

A Twist of Fate

Years passed, and Kurt became one of the restaurant’s most loyal patrons — and a close friend of Danny.

One evening, as they chatted over dinner, Kurt suddenly asked, “Danny, do you know what I was thinking the very first time I walked into this place?”

Danny shook his head.

Kurt looked down for a moment, then said quietly, “That night, I was planning to have a final meal before ending my life.”

Danny’s eyes widened in shock.

Kurt continued, his voice steady but soft. “That night, my wife left me. She wrote in a letter that she couldn’t take being ignored anymore — that she’d fallen in love with someone else. I was devastated. I felt worthless. I had nothing left to live for.”

He paused, then smiled faintly.

“But then… I sat at the Lucky Table. At first, I thought it was a cruel joke. But when I chose to share the dessert, and saw that little boy smile — something in me shifted. I realized that even in my broken state, I could still bring joy to someone else. That moment saved me. It reminded me that I wasn’t useless after all. And that was the beginning of rebuilding my life.”

Danny’s eyes welled with tears.

He realized that true luck isn’t something we wait for. It’s something we create — through kindness, selflessness, and the courage to give even when we ourselves feel empty.

That night, Danny understood: he, too, was one of the lucky ones.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/05/23/the-lucky-table-a-story-of-kindness-chance-and-rebirth/

A Serene Masterpiece: The Water-Moon Guanyin at the Nelson-Atkins Museum

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Tucked within the tranquil halls of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art stands a breathtaking wooden sculpture of Water-Moon Guanyin from the Liao Dynasty—a work hailed as “the most magnificent surviving sculpture in China” and “a triumph of religion and aesthetics.” It has also been honored by the media as “one of the thirty finest works held in American public institutions.”

Officially labeled by the museum as “Guanyin of the Southern Sea,” this statue rises to an impressive height of 2.4 meters. Aside from the right forearm, the entire figure—including its base—was masterfully carved from a single block of wood. Dating back to the 11th or 12th century (Liao or Jin Dynasty), the sculpture has been remarkably well-preserved over the centuries.

This Guanyin is an extraordinary example of religious artistry. Her face is gently sculpted with refined features—serene, graceful, and quietly majestic. Adorned with a jeweled crown, her eyes are softly closed, gazing downward in meditation and compassion. The statue’s pose reflects the elegance and wisdom traditionally associated with the feminine form, especially in the flowing hand gestures—while still retaining some subtle masculine traits in the upper body, a nod to Guanyin’s transcendent nature.

In classic iconography, Water-Moon Guanyin is often portrayed seated on a rock or lotus throne, gazing compassionately at the world. In this sculpture, she sits with one leg bent and the other gracefully draped downward. Her right arm rests lightly on her knee, fingers gently curved, as she gazes diagonally downward with a calm smile—evoking the image of the moon reflected in water. This visual metaphor powerfully symbolizes a core Buddhist teaching: the illusion of form and the essence of emptiness.

Every aspect of the statue—the proportions, the flowing posture, the tranquil expression—conveys a sense of effortless grace, inner freedom, and compassionate presence. It is a piece that invites quiet reflection, stirring something deep within the soul of the viewer.

The Legend Behind the Water-Moon Guanyin

The form of Water-Moon Guanyin, also known as “Auspicious Water Guanyin” or “Auspicious Water Bodhisattva,” is one of the most beloved among the thirty-three manifestations of Guanyin in Chinese Buddhist tradition. Interestingly, the name “Water-Moon” does not come from early Buddhist scriptures, but rather from Chinese folklore—born of the fusion between Buddhism and indigenous Chinese culture.

According to legend, Guanyin once appeared in Suzhou during a time of war, where she witnessed the brutal slaughter of civilians by the Jin army. Out of great compassion, she transformed into a beautiful woman, built a ritual platform, and began chanting sutras to deliver the souls of the dead. When her recitation was complete, someone among the crowd recognized her divine aura and asked to see her true form.

The Bodhisattva pointed to the riverbank. There, reflected in the still waters, was the image of a radiant full moon, within which her sacred figure appeared—graceful and ethereal. Among the witnesses was a talented artist named Qiu Zijing, who quickly sketched the vision. As his painting circulated, this image came to be known and venerated as the Water-Moon Guanyin.

A Space Worthy of the Divine

To properly honor this extraordinary statue, the Nelson-Atkins Museum created an expansive Chinese Temple Gallery. Behind Guanyin stands a Yuan Dynasty mural titled “Assembly of the Radiant Buddha,” originally from Guangsheng Temple in Shanxi Province. Above hangs a carved Ming Dynasty coffered ceiling adorned with dragons, while in front, finely carved lattice doors from a Qing Dynasty official’s residence in Beijing complete the immersive setting.

This harmonious environment allows visitors to experience the sculpture not just as a museum piece, but as a living expression of faith, beauty, and timeless spiritual insight.

https://www.orientations.com.hk/highlights/creating-spaces-for-asian-art-c-t-loo-and-the-nelson-atkins-museum-of-art

https://www.orientations.com.hk/highlights/creating-spaces-for-asian-art-c-t-loo-and-the-nelson-atkins-museum-of-art

The Water-Moon Guanyin at the Nelson-Atkins Museum is more than an ancient sculpture—it is a sacred embodiment of compassion, artistry, and transcultural storytelling. Whether viewed through the lens of religion, history, or aesthetics, it stands as a serene reminder of the enduring power of beauty to transcend time and touch the human spirit.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/05/21/a-serene-masterpiece-the-water-moon-guanyin-at-the-nelson-atkins-museum/

Enshi: China’s Grand Canyon

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A walkway in Enshi Canyon, China’s Grand Canyon. Jean Spoljaric photos.

A Visit to the Chinese Grand Canyon in Enshi

By Jean Miller Spoljaric

My trip to the Hubei (Hu-bay) Province of Central China proved to be a real eye-opener. It was a culture shock for me, but life as they know it for them. I traveled from Beijing to Wuhan, China, and on to Enshi, the home to China’s Grand Canyon.

Enshi city was vibrant and alive, but nothing could have prepared me for the China I was about to see in the mountainous areas of Enshi Canyon. Several times during the trip, I reminded myself that, sometimes, ‘Less is More.’

Location

The view from the top of Enshi Canyon is breathtaking.

Enshi is the capital city of Hubei Province and is located inland, in the southwest region of Hubei. It’s an area of immense natural beauty with soaring mountains, deep canyons, meandering rivers, and great waterfalls. The mountain village is a two and a half-hour car ride from the bustling city.

The mountaintops are high above the skyline and the thousand-zhang waterfalls that tumble to the canyon floor below, feeding the underground rivers that flow through the Qungjiang River Valley of virgin forests and ancient villages.

Enshi proudly displays the peaks and valleys of what is known today as China’s Grand Canyon.

Enshi Grand Canyon

The Enshi Grand Canyon is located in Tunbao Village in the Town of Banqiao, high above the clouds. I climbed my way to the summit and experienced the views of a lifetime. Altogether, I hiked three of the five precipices in Enshi Canyon.

I was in awe as I gazed out toward the mystical land. The puffy clouds seemed close enough for me to touch and the precipices were like giant stalagmite stone fingers reaching toward the heavens.

Free from the hustle and bustle of the rest of China, there were no beeping horns, no crazy mopeds; just the serene stillness and beauty of nature.

A 67-Mile Canyon

The Enshi Canyon has a total length of 108 km (67 miles) and the total area is more than 300 sq. km (about 74,000 acres, or 115.8 sq. miles). As it’s only 1.7 miles wide, it makes the canyon long and narrow.

By comparison, the American Grand Canyon (1,218,560 acres/ 1,904 sq. miles) could hold sixteen Enshi Grand Canyons.

The significant difference between the two is that Enshi Grand Canyon is lush as opposed to the barren desert-like topography of America’s Grand Canyon.

Still, all the splendor and physical features that one would find in America’s Grand Canyon are contained within this smaller area, so it makes it a great place to visit for a day trip or longer.

All hard work and smiles, always, in Enshi.
All hard work and smiles, always, in Enshi.

The Magic

As I climbed the steep ridges of the mountains, at each turn, I came across villagers selling cold drinks, cooked potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs soaking in tea. Not an easy day’s work!

I was amazed at how the elders set up camps every day, hiking up and down these mountains with large sacks strapped on their backs. Great exercise keeps them fit.

As I paused to drink my water and catch my breath, a woman twice my age, with a gentle smile on her face, passed me. I used the universal sign for a photo to ask if I could take a picture. Her look of concern was followed by a big smile.

Moments after snapping the image, I shared it with her and several others who had stopped to watch. They seemed amazed at seeing themselves in the viewfinder. It was magic and they wanted more pictures.

This pretty little girl hiked the Enshi Grand Canyon with her family. I was proud of her as she kept up with everyone!
This pretty little girl hiked the Enshi Grand Canyon with her family. I was proud of her as she kept up with everyone!

Then, a little boy stopped and pointed to my iPod. I let him listen to a song and his face beamed with amazement! More magic!

And, just like that, any concerns were replaced with trusting smiles. As we smiled and laughed together, the language barrier seemed to disappear.

Giant Golden Panda

As a tall, blond, westerner, I felt the introspective eyes of the locals on me in the more urban areas, but nothing prepared me for my reception in the isolated mountain settlements.

For many of the mountain people of Enshi, it appeared to me that I was the first American they had ever seen.

The children surrounded me, seemingly mesmerized by my blonde hair and green eyes. Mothers shooed their children closer to get a better look; the shy little ones hid behind their mother’s skirt, peeking out just enough to fill their curiosity.

My tall stature and lightly colored hair had the men following my every move with their eyes. Women would gather around just to hear me speak.

I felt like a giant golden panda. I laughed to myself as I thought that I haven’t turned this many heads since I was nineteen!

They wanted to know everything about me: who I was, where I came from, why I was there! I’m happy to say, I think I left a lasting positive impression.

Large statues oversee the grounds at Tusi Castle in Enshi, China.
Large statues oversee the grounds at Tusi Castle in Enshi, China.

The People Of Enshi’s Mountains

The people of rural Enshi are kind, hard-working, self-sufficient, and very isolated from the world. They live a hard life off the land, but their big smiles never seem to fade.

They are farmers of vegetables and tea and are proud of their daily life with each other. There is no running water for most and squat toilets for all.

I saw children with no shoes or with one worn pair, and I thought about my children with too many shoes. I saw all the diseased and sick dogs lying in the comfortable shade of old, tired trees and wanted to rescue them all.

I guess it’s all relative. My daily life of iPods, cell phones, and laptops is a world away from the mountain people of Enshi. They are surrounded every day by trees, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and beautiful lush green mountains. Maybe, they have it right!

The Other Enshi

There is another world below the mountains in the city of Enshi. By day, I would recommend a visit to Tusi Castle. It dates back to 700 AD and is a lesson in the culture of the area.

This Chieftain castle was destroyed by a fire in 2004 and perfectly restored soon after.

It is home to the largest archaized Pagoda style buildings in China.

As I wandered through the exhibits of architectural and decorative arts, I felt like I was walking through a living book. It tells the story of the Tujia folk cultures through sculptures, gardens, artwork, and furnishings.

Afterward, there is a must-see play that features the primitive reenactment of the local Chinese culture. It will make you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time.

Enshi City is alive and beautiful in the evening.
Enshi City is alive and beautiful in the evening.

Lunch in Dingshihui

Make sure you head to Dingshihui for lunch! During a long hot day, I was looking forward to lunch and a drink, but I could never have imagined the surprise that Dingshihui had in store for me.

As I followed my guide up the stairs, my eyes became wide with amazement.

This fish dish is just one of the specialties at Dingshihui in Enshi City.
This fish dish is just one of the specialties at Dingshihui in Enshi City.

Dingshihui was like walking through a boutique-style hotel in Manhattan, and the food was incredible! I couldn’t believe that a luxurious oasis such as this existed in this city.

The city came alive in the evening. Neon lights lined the buildings and bridges in the Central Square and reflected off the river below.

There were men gathered in groups playing Mahjong and residents participating in a huge outdoor aerobics class.

The Lesson

The people of Enshi are an extended community where divisions of labor know no age and responsibilities are learned.

And who would have thought that the highlight of my trip to China would be the Grand Canyon of Enshi and the people who live there?

Enshi City
Enshi City

For all I thought I knew about China, it was all that I discovered I didn’t know that has added to the quality of my life. I want to return to this great experience and, if you’re as fortunate as I was, you’ll find a new world to discover.

Useful Information about Enshi China

Dried snake anyone?
Dried snake anyone?

For more information on travel in this area of China contact the CNTO- China National Tourist Office. They were extremely helpful and knowledgeable about all things China.

List of China tourism offices

While in Enshi I used Enshi Railway Travel Service Co., Ltd. They do not have a website so it makes it difficult to book anything in advance, but I assure you if you contact them directly upon your arrival in China they will make sure you have the time of your life.

They are located at No. 64 Hangkong Road, Enshi City. the phone number you can reach them at is (0086-718-) 8236262. Ask for Lucy to be your trusted guide; she will take wonderful care of you from start to finish.

To and From

I flew Air China from JFK Airport in NYC into Beijing Airport. I also flew China Southern throughout Hubei Province, Wuhan, and Enshi. Both airlines went out of their way to make me comfortable, the staff was friendly and the seating spacious.

Places To Go

Hubei Provincal Museum in Wuhan Ruibom Tea Factory Store in Enshi City

Information about Enshi Caynon

Information on Enshi City

Information about Tusi Castle

The Enshi Dingshihui Dining Management Company, Ltd. Restaurant has no website. It remains a bit of a mystery. Ask your guide or taxi driver to bring you to the fanciest place to eat in Enshi City; I promise they will know. I do have phone numbers. Once you arrive in Enshi you can try your luck: 0718-8411717 or 0718-8495282.

Lodging

While in Enshi City I stayed at the centrally located The Yihe International Hotel.

While in Wuhan I was lucky to stay at the beautiful Shangri-La Hotel. The Shangri-La is located in the Hankou business area and is only 25 minutes from the Tianhe International Airport and only 15 minutes from the Yangtze River Pier.

Source: https://www.gonomad.com/2172-enshi-china-chinas-grand-canyon