Returning to Our Temple: A Journey Home

I grew up in a small town near Beijing, a place with thousands of years of history. I spent the first 18 years of my life there. Back then, the town felt small — everyone knew everyone, and life often felt slow and ordinary. As a young person, I couldn’t wait to leave and experience the excitement of a big city.

Over the years, I moved on: I went south for college, studied in Beijing for graduate school, and eventually moved overseas. For a long time, I didn’t think much about my hometown. It was just the starting point of my life’s journey.

It wasn’t until recently, after living in the U.S. for ten years, that I returned home that I truly realized how much it had changed — yet its spirit remained. One of the most meaningful moments was bringing my children to Linjisi Temple for the very first time. As I prayed, tears came to my eyes. It didn’t matter how many years I had been away; the temple still welcomed me with its blessings.

Every time I visited home, my cousin — who lives next to my parents — would gift me bracelets from his small studio, which he has run for many years. When my sister is busy or I am away, he is the one who helps care for my family. These bracelets, paired with the temple’s blessings, have become a symbol of love, family, and heritage.

The temple and the bracelets together carry the values that have shaped my life: respect, mindfulness, and connection. They are a tangible reminder of the importance of family and tradition, and of the culture we cherish.

This heritage is deeply meaningful, not just for us, but for the world. Sharing these values — the blessings of Linjisi Temple and the artistry of our hometown — is at the heart of what we hope to do with Pure Zen Stones.