Study I - Touch

Touch -- in front of Jokhang, Yafei Li, ca.2015

"Han people pay attention to education, but Tibetans pursue faith; One child admitted to Tsinghua or Peking University can make the Han family excited. One son becomes a living Buddha is a great honor of a Tibetan family; People lack of education feel unfamiliar with education. People without faith feel deceased in the presence of faith. A number of believers grovel in front of Jokhang everyday. The five members fall prostrate in obeisance -- the hands, the knees and the head touching the ground. Facing them, I absolutely do not have the desire of picking up my camera. Just want to find a small corner, quietly sitting, watching, listening......"

This is what I wrote in front of Jokhang in Tibet in 2015. Groveling in front of Jokhang is their daily compulsory course. Hands together, over the head, down to the chest, hanging on both sides, bending the knees, abdomen closing to the ground, arms forward, forehead touching the ground, fluctuating one bead of the rosary by hands. The series of action is done hundreds of times a day, every time with touch of fingers and rosary as the end. Touch to send their faith, and faith also supports their touch.