> [!cite] > Zhang Han. ‘Young People Visit Temples to Catch Fashion Trend, Relieve Pressure’. *Global Times*, 22 March 2023. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287753.shtml. --- ‘Generation Z is reluctant to follow others and seeks to demonstrate their uniqueness, such mentality prompts them to seek niche leisure activities, which exactly drove the sudden popularity of some non-stream hobbies, Zhang Yiwu, a Chinese language professor at Peking University, told the Global Times.’ [[Zhang, ‘Young People Visit Temples to Catch Fashion Trend, Relieve Pressure’, 2023|(Zhang 2023, n.p.)]] ^b11f3e ‘“Should I walk into a temple with my left leg or right one?” The question might be a joke, but it demonstrates a number of young people are very serious about visiting temples and making wishes.   Tips are shared online to teach beginners about how to offer incense and other tributes, the correct gesture and words to make a wish, including whether it is necessary to recite one’s ID number in front of the Buddha.’ [[Zhang, ‘Young People Visit Temples to Catch Fashion Trend, Relieve Pressure’, 2023|(Zhang 2023, n.p.)]] ‘Zhang Yiwu noted that Chinese people have a very pragmatic perception of all religions - hope they can help with their secular life. From wishes before the Buddhas to blessings carried by bracelets and those odd personal objects, young people have very realistic goals in mind.’ [[Zhang, ‘Young People Visit Temples to Catch Fashion Trend, Relieve Pressure’, 2023|(Zhang 2023, n.p.)]] ‘A viral sentence goes “Between going to work and going to study, young people choose to go to temples.” But young people are actually thinking about their work and study, rather than lying flat and wanting nothing, Zhang said. He saw the phenomenon to be combining Chinese pragmatic perception of religion and efforts in pursuit of a better life.’ [[Zhang, ‘Young People Visit Temples to Catch Fashion Trend, Relieve Pressure’, 2023|(Zhang 2023, n.p.)]] ‘Shen said visiting temples is also a method to get some mental relief when one gets too stressed. “Wishing for a promotion does not mean I do not work hard but only sit there and wait for the good luck.”’ [[Zhang, ‘Young People Visit Temples to Catch Fashion Trend, Relieve Pressure’, 2023|(Zhang 2023, n.p.)]] ‘In one word, no single word can describe Chinese youth as they are growing up in a time of fast and vast changes. They are diverse and lively, have an open mind for new, trendy things and cope with pressure in their own ways, Zhang said.’ [[Zhang, ‘Young People Visit Temples to Catch Fashion Trend, Relieve Pressure’, 2023|(Zhang 2023, n.p.)]] ‘In Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province, young people line up outside the Lingyin Temple as early as 7 am in the morning to “offer the first incense” which, according to customs, would be the most efficacious.’ [[Zhang, ‘Young People Visit Temples to Catch Fashion Trend, Relieve Pressure’, 2023|(Zhang 2023, n.p.)]] ^3d6116