On the night of February 15, 2018, people burned incense and prayed for blessings at a temple in Shanghai. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images)
[The Epoch Times, Mawrth 22, 2023](Reported by Epoch Times reporter Li Jing) In recent years, Chinese temple attractions have gradually become a destination for young people to check in on weekends. In this regard, the official media of the CCP recently published an article criticizing young people for not “fighting for communism” but for going to temples to pray to God and Buddha. However, the comments of the official media were refuted by netizens.
Recently, according to data from Ctrip, an online ticketing platform in mainland China, since February this year, the post-90s and post-00s accounted for nearly 50% of the people who booked tickets on for the scenic spots of the temple. Young people are becoming the main force of temple tourism.
Unlike retirees, who have more flexible schedules, weekends are a popular time for young people to go to temples. Data from Ctrip shows that since the beginning of this year, the number of ticket bookings for scenic spots associated with the temple has increased by 310% year on year.
In this regard, the official CCP media “Beijing News” published a commentary on March 21, saying that young people are also facing a lot of pressure these days, such as taking postgraduate entrance exams, finding a good job, and get rid of being single. . Under pressure, the young people were looking for a channel to release stress and transfer anxiety, and chose a temple full of incense and solemn treasures.
However, the article said, “Praying for ghosts from gods and Buddhas is after all unreliable. ” Sesame lost the watermelon.”
The above “Beijing News” commentary article caused many netizens to refute it.
Some netizens said: “If the price of a good life continues to rise, but the rewards of hard work remain unchanged, can you get a good life through hard work? If the price of a good life rises according to your savings, you’ n save 5,000 , A good life costs 50,000, you have worked hard to save 10,000, and a good life will give you 100,000, can you get a good life through hard work?”
“When the belief is shattered, I have to switch to another belief. You can’t force others to believe in yours, right? Do you really think you can control everyone’s minds?”
“Because young people have already understood that a platform is more important than hard work, reincarnation is more important than struggle, and luck is more important than strength.”
“People who are full come to tell those who want to eat, don’t eat too much, but they haven’t eaten yet? What right does the official mouth have to judge the beliefs and behaviors of others?”
“If it is very useful to go to school, what is the point of offering incense? Instead of thinking why young people lie down and why they are passionate about gods and Buddhas, instead of criticizing them condescendingly, are you sorry?”
What netizens call “lying flat” is an online term that has become popular in mainland China since 2021. It refers to young people born in the 1990s and 2000s who, from under the background of China’s continued economic decline, the difficulty of social class mobility, and intensified social conflict caused by the CCP’s extreme containment measures against the epidemic, made out of disappointment with the actual situation. It is better to choose the attitude of “lying flat” and having no desires and demands” instead of following society’s expectations and continuing to strive.
“Lying flat” is considered a way to fight the “involution” of society. Its specific significance includes not buying a house, not buying a car, not falling in love, not getting married, not having children, low level consumption. , and maintain a minimum standard of living Refuse to be a money-making machine for Chinese capitalists and a slave exploited by Chinese capitalists.
Responsible editor: Li Qiong#
