China Scene: East

Sacred relics found among cremated nun's remains

Following the cremation of a Buddhist nun in Putian, Fujian province, late last month, more than 60 sariras were reportedly found in her ashes.

Sariras are said to be the crystal-like remains of highly evolved individuals after a cremation.

Kindhearted Huang Zhenxing, who died aged 88, passed away in December and the monks who found her sariras said they were the size of mung beans.

The sariras were placed in the temple where Huang became a nun at the age of 16, after a ceremony.

(Strait News)

Love for even-toed ungulate reciprocated

A young man in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, has purchased a camel to please his wife.

Wang Donghua and his wife Huang Lianqing love animals and some time ago she mentioned that she would particularly like a camel.

As a result Wang recently traveled to North China's Hebei province to purchase one and transport it home.

The cost of buying the camel and transporting it home was 50,000 yuan ($7,000), or half of Wang's yearly income.

Huang was reportedly happy with the gift and the pair has been riding the pet.

(Hangzhou Daily)

'Mystical' leaking rock a fisherman's best friend

A chunk of granite at the juncture between two villages in Shishi, Fujian province, may look normal enough, but locals say it has mystical powers - the 3-m chunk leaks rusty red water just before a strong wind blows.

When the strange liquid is flowing, fishermen know they should not venture out too far from the coast.

An expert of the provincial astronomical society said it is common for stones to undergo physical changes when humidity shifts. He said the granite probably contains a piece of iron ore.

(Strait News)

(China Daily 01/23/2008 page6)