CCTV

Headline News

China

Reconstruction vital for religion

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 05-06-2009 14:19

Special Report:   One Year after 5.12 Quake
Special Report:   Beyond Survival

Er'Wang Temple in Dujiangyan was badly damaged in the quake. CCTV reporter Zhang Lu visited the temple which is now under reconstruction. As she finds out, the rebuilding is not only about the protection of cultural heritage, but also religious practice.

Er'Wang Temple in Dujiangyan was badly damaged in the quake.
Er'Wang Temple in Dujiangyan was badly damaged
in the quake.

Master of the Daoist Er'Wang Temple, Zhou Lihui, practises her morning ritual in front of a simple temporary altar. For almost a year after the quake, this small house has been the only place where she can worship.

Zhou Lihui, master of Er'Wang Temple, Sichuan, said, "The quake destroyed almost the whole temple. It used to be so magnificent. We are religious, so we can't stop our ritual. We repaired this small shanty house to be a temporary altar. It looks very basic, we feel sad."

The damage to buildings is only one aspect of the disruption the quake caused. There has also been an invisible impact on religious activities.