THE DONGMEN TEMPLE

A temple is a building for people to ask some special things. It is very popular in China. But in my hometown there is one temple which is different to other ones. It is a special place for asking to have a child. It is the Dongmen Temple. When you get married, both parents-in-law hope to get a grandchild early. In some families, if you have got a son every one is happy. The parents can do everything for you. But if you have got a girl, the parents are unhappy. Because they think they haven't got a next generation. If you have been married for a long time and you haven’t got a child, the parents are worried for the same reason. So when you get married, some parents go to the temple to ask Bodhisallva to give them a son. Later if you get a son, they think it is Bodhisallva's grace, if not, they think the daughter-in-law is not good. They are not friendly and kind to her. So it is one reason for not having a good relationship between mother and daughter-in law. Fortunately this is changing now and it is a story of the past. Now some people from the country still think like this, but most city people are more aware of science and biology. For them the sex of the baby isn't important. If some young people really like a 'two persons’ life', they decide not to have a child. It is no problem.