Xi Jinping: The New Human Bodhisattva, According to Some Yak Herders
Picture this: the man who runs China like a street‑car driver on a perpetual traffic jam, now supposedly being worshipped as a living Buddhist deity by a handful of Tibetan folk in the high‑altitude province of Qinghai. Yep, that’s how some folks feel the vibe has shifted.
Setting the Stage
- Location: Qinghai – a province that’s the cradle of the Dalai Lama’s birthplace and home to a big squad of yak‑herding Tibetans.
- Meeting: The Chinese Parliament’s annual session, the perfect backdrop for the latest headline throw‑in.
- Key Speaker: Wang Guosheng, who’s in charge of Qinghai’s provincial party apparatus.
Who’s the New “Bodhisattva”?
Wang told the gathered journalists that locals have started calling Xi a “living Bodhisattva.” In the Buddhist world, a Bodhisattva is someone who literally walks around helping everyone find their way to enlightenment – kind of like a spiritual Uber driver.
For Tibetans, the Dalai Lama is the real MVP – an incarnation of Avalokitesvara, the big‑hearted compassion master. So, when you see a voice saying that’s the same divine level brought by the Chinese chairman, you know it’s a pretty bold claim.
Images, Yaks, and Government Moves
- Graphics for the Poor: Wang mentioned that the province has handed out “images of the leader” to folks in rough areas moving to new homes. He didn’t say whether the pictures were of Mao or Xi – mystery remains.
- Resettlement of Yaks: Qinghai’s government has been coaxing yak‑herders into permanent housing instead of letting them roam. Some say this is progress, others say it’s a betrayal of a nomadic legend.
- Map: *Less Controversial Than Tibet Autonomous Region – Qinghai’s usually smoother with less travel ban drama, making it a kinder place for foreigners and locals alike.
Political Shake‑Ups That Matter
While folks can’t help but whisper about divine titles, there’s a bigger story too: the removal of term limits. If the rubber‑stamp parliament does what is expected, Xi could keep the reins forever – a situation that feels like an old superhero movie where the villain keeps staying in the spotlight.
Wrap‑up
So, how do you picture the hapless Yak herders pressing coffee mugs to their ears as they chant about “Living Bodhisattva Xi” while simultaneously arguing about whether the new homes feel more like a quaint village or a trophy box? It’s a surreal mix – part religion, part politics, all sprinkled with a dose of, “Did that just happen?”
Whether or not Xi truly embodies the compassionate spirit or if Qinghai’s residents are simply following a post‑Mao sentiment marketing strategy, the bottom line is: the headlines are getting nerdy…and ironic.
