At 14:28 on May 12, 2008, a historic earthquake occurred in Wenchuan, Sichuan.
On that day, the cries of children echoed in the Luohan Temple.
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Sixteen years ago, the temple was transformed into a makeshift maternity ward to witness the safe arrival of 108 children. They are affectionately known as "Luohan Wa" by later generations and are now adults. What kind of life experiences have this special group of children experienced? What are the touching stories of their growth paths? Let's trace the sixteen years of this legend.
A sudden disaster
May 12, 2008 was supposed to be a peaceful and peaceful day for the people of Shifang, Sichuan. Unexpectedly, a loud noise broke the silence, the earth shook violently, the houses collapsed, and the hospital became a dangerous building in an instant. In the panic, more than 20 pregnant women urgently need to be relocated.
At this time, the No. 2 Primary School in Fangting Town, opposite, took the initiative to open its doors to provide temporary shelter for pregnant women. The director of the hospital, Gui Fengchun, made a quick decision to transfer the pregnant women to the nearby Luohan Temple. This thousand-year-old temple built in the Han Dynasty has become a "harbor of life" at that special moment.
The abbot of the temple, Venerable Su Quan, did not hesitate at all and gladly accepted the pregnant women. With the help of the monks, the medical staff quickly set up an emergency tent and temporarily converted a dining room into an operating room. In this way, Luohan Temple was instantly transformed into a temporary delivery room and began its unique "delivery" process.
In this temple, the cries of babies come and go. In just a few days, 108 children were born here, affectionately known as "Luohan Baby". This kind of scene moved everyone present at the time. Zhai Qiurong recalled: "I was actually very moved to see that kind of scene at that time."
Despite the poor and difficult environment, every medical staff did their best to ensure the safety of the mother and child. In the event of a water and power outage, they used flashlights to illuminate and carry various instruments from the inpatient unit to perform emergency surgeries. Even when it rained heavily, they immediately got up and grabbed the tent with their hands to prevent it from being blown over. All this reflects their benevolence as doctors who are not afraid of difficulties and sacrifice themselves for others.
In the face of this disaster, Luohan Monastery also completely broke the precepts of monks in the past, and fully supported and assisted the medical staff. Venerable Su Quan insisted: "Seeing death and not saving is the biggest taboo, and other taboos are not important." The temple not only provides the venue, but also does its best to cater to the food and daily life of the pregnant women. When relief supplies were in short supply, the monks also volunteered to give up their own food.
It is touching that even in such a difficult environment, no complaints have been heard from pregnant women or their families. Everyone is grateful, helping each other through this difficult time. Zhai Qiurong, a medical worker, said it well: "At that time, people think about how to spend it safely together."
From the initial rush to the final orderliness, the "life delivery room" of this ancient temple has written a warm and tenacious story. In the face of disaster, the brilliance of human nature has been vividly displayed. The birth of these children has also become a testimony to the temple's regained calm in the midst of turmoil.
Luo Han Wa's growth path
For these "Luohan Babies", their lives were different from the beginning. These children are born in a special environment that injects a unique color into their future growth path.
Sixteen years later, these children have grown up and are beginning to write new chapters in their lives. But no matter how they developed, the difficult journey of that moment was deeply imprinted in their hearts and became an indispensable part of their growth.
Some of these children have had special encounters. The girl Xuanxuan was born with congenital heart disease, and the boy Dongdong was born with rabbit lips. However, with the care and help of all sectors of society, they have overcome the difficulties and gradually moved towards recovery. This undoubtedly gave these children great confidence and courage, and made them deeply feel that even in the most difficult moments, there will be warm strength to support them.
Like Zhang Guichang's family, on the day of the earthquake, their house collapsed, and his wife Yang Qiju was still pregnant. However, with the joint efforts of medical staff and temple monks, Yang Qiju finally gave birth to a boy safely. The child was later named "Carry On" to symbolize the rediscovery of hope in the midst of disaster. Although life was difficult for the family after that, the parents were determined to raise their children wholeheartedly.
For these children, their journey of life has been closely linked to this land and this ancient temple from the very beginning. The names of the 108 children are engraved on the stone tablets erected in the Luohan Temple, and they return here every Mother's Day to remember the miraculous moments of that year. This sense of belonging has made their growth trajectory closely linked to this land and has become an integral part of their lives.
Of course, the growth of these children is not all smooth sailing. In the attention and assistance of society, they are also facing various practical difficulties. Some children have financial constraints, while others have encountered obstacles in their learning and growth. But at the critical moment, all sectors of society have extended a helping hand, supported them with practical actions, and gave them warmth and hope.
It is these bits and pieces of kindness that allow these "Luohan Babies" to thrive in the midst of hardship. Not only are they physically and mentally healthy, but they have also honed their tenacity in the face of adversity. As Zhai Qiurong said, "Every child encounters different difficulties in growing up, but they all become stronger in overcoming them." Since birth, these children have received great attention from all walks of life. The media reports on their recent situation from time to time, recording their growth. Their fate has gradually become a mirror, reflecting the warmth and responsibility of a society.
Now, sixteen years later, these children are adults. Some of them are going to university, some have gone out into the society and started working, and some are working hard for their future. Different encounters have created their own unique life trajectories, but they all exude a unique light from the miracle of life.
Take Zhang Tingyun, for example, who was one of the 108 children born in Luohan Temple at that time. Today, 16 years later, this former "Luohan baby" has grown into a college student and is studying computer science. He told reporters that the special experience in his childhood made him feel the preciousness of life since he was a child, which prompted him to look forward to and look forward to the future.
"I am grateful for the efforts of the medical staff and the monks of the temple who saved us in their own way. So now I also want to give back to the society and create a better life for others through my profession. Zhang Tingyun said that he hopes to become an excellent programmer in the future and use his expertise to contribute to society.
For Zhang Guichang's family, their experience was even more difficult. In the earthquake, the family's house was razed to the ground, and his wife, Yang Qiju, is pregnant. Fortunately, with the help of Luohan Temple, Yang Qiju finally gave birth to a boy safely. The child was named "Carry On" to symbolize the hope of regaining life in the midst of disaster.
Life was difficult for the family after that, but the parents were determined to bring up their children wholeheartedly. Today, the child has also grown up and is in high school. Despite his poor family, he is still diligent in learning and proves the value of life with his own efforts.
For Xuan Xuan, her life has been challenged from the beginning. Born with congenital heart disease, she has been battling it for more than a decade. However, with the care and help of all walks of life, she finally overcame the disease and successfully underwent surgical treatment.
"I will never forget the hard work of the doctors and nurses who saved my life in their own way." Xuan Xuan said, "So now I cherish everything in front of me more, study hard, and give back to the society in my own way." Now she has become a university student and is running towards her goal.
The growth of these children undoubtedly gives us a strong message: the preciousness of life and the warmth of human nature. In the most difficult times, there are countless kind people who reach out and support these children in their own ways so that they can finally thrive.
It is these bits and pieces of kindness that have made the unique lives of these "Luohan Babies" today. Not only are they physically and mentally healthy, but they have also honed their tenacity in the face of adversity. As one healthcare worker put it, "Every child has different difficulties growing up, but they all come out stronger by overcoming them."
The growth trajectory of these children has undoubtedly brought a positive force to our society. They use their lives to interpret the preciousness of life, and also let us see the most shining side of human nature. No matter where they go in the future, I believe that they will definitely become a part of this society and contribute to the development of this country.
We are waiting and looking forward to the wonderful life of these "Luohan Babies" in the future! You must have a lot to say, so leave a comment below and let's explore their life stories together.
#汶川震后古刹诞生的 "Luohan Baby": Sixteen years of growth trajectory