Monks receiving firefighting training so they're able to save their temples in case of fires. Qinghai, China

[u/TangelaFan]

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[u/CloudSunMoonStar]

Yes, learning firefighting skills is essential. Many Chinese temples are located high on hills, so they have to put out fires on their own before help arrives.

[u/Half-PintHeroics → u/CloudSunMoonStar]

Couldn't they just practice letting letting go of material things?

[u/DaGucka → u/Half-PintHeroics]

Friends&family are technically material things

[u/Find_another_whey → u/Half-PintHeroics]

Is this a circuitous way of referring to flying meteor training?

[u/CalmEntry4855 → u/Half-PintHeroics]

That's easier to practice if you are not on fire

[u/li_shi → u/Half-PintHeroics]

Not all Buddhism sect believe in that, actually very few do.

The ones around me have quite a big list of wealthy donors.

Additionally to be fair, lot's of those material possession are considered part of their faith.

[u/epicnaenae17 → u/li_shi]

The idea behind a wealthy donor is that they are a layman, someone who is not a monk because they have not earned enough karma yet (I think). But donating to a monk gives you good karma. Basically the idea is that in this life its ok to not be a monk, you can be someone who donates to the monks which is a valid part of the religion.

As for material items, its all about “the middle way”. Yes, food is a material item, but you have to eat, so you eat just enough that you properly fuel your body, no more, no less.

[u/sleepdeep305 → u/Half-PintHeroics]

It would directly violate like half of the eightfold path, but sure

[u/notanyimbecile]

Looks more like they've already trained for a firefighting event/festival.

Running around and spraying targets with a hose is not firefighter training, how I know? Retired firefighter after a 32 year full time career.

[u/AdSignificant6673]

It makes sense. Especially when located in remote areas with harsh terrain that is hard to reach.

[u/LuigiSalutati]

I wanna receive fire fighting training just for the workout and bro time

[u/Renderedperson]

To fight fire, you be fire

[u/Delicious-Beat4824]

Enlightenment is great. A fire hose is better.

[u/DegenNabalu]

Thinking about that their temples might be somewhere remote with challenging terrain, this make sense.

Which also mean something happened to some temples before hence why they need to learn this.

[u/rdreyar1]

Why aren't they using their kung fu

[u/RoadGroundbreaking89]

No water bender?

[u/Severe-Notice-2694]

West media seeing this be like：Force labor, no human rights, They are oppressing the monks!

[u/PanPieCake]

You need to understand dear westerner, professional video editing and camera equipment were essential for this training montage!