Rejected at the Lama Temple

When I went to the Lama Temple, I was intrigued by a long row of shopkeepers who were selling many different types of Buddhas and incense.  I wanted to know their views on religion, since they’re surrounded by it in one of Beijing’s most famous Buddhist temples.  

Were they Buddhists or just capitalists?  Were most of their customers practicing Buddhists, or just tourists who had hopes of improving their luck?  

The thought of talking about Tibet, the Dalai Lama, religious persecution, or anything that would be considered off-limits by the government didn’t even really occur to me, but it was obviously weighing heavily on their minds.

All of the shopkeepers had been told to refuse media requests.  They wouldn’t say who gave this direction, but they were given a clear order by the powers that be.

It’s almost comical how quickly their friendly smiles turned to hostility when they saw the camera and press pass.  

The irony, however, is that this regulation, which was designed to improve China’s appearance to the outside world, makes it seem extremely repressive.  

Granted, there are multiple parachute journalists who are looking for “the hot story” during the Olympics, who might exploit or misquote one of the shopkeepers.  Nonetheless, if China is so confident in its religious freedom and unfettered media access, censoring shopkeepers in the Lama Temple doesn’t quite help their case.