BEGGING IN CHINA


My life with a panhandler (street player or beggar) at the street entrance of the Wenshu (Manjusri) Monastery in Chengdu, China. 

Begging is banned in China. It is said that everybody, though at lower wages through casual work, gets livelihood in China. Though not in strict terms like in Cuba, none in China also is let live without working. Out of the 13 cities we visited only two beggars are seen. One was physically challenged, crawling on the ground, near the Bell Tower adjoining the Muslim Street in Xi'an City. Second is the panhandler near the Wenshu (Manjusri) Monastery. The style of begging by this man is like our street players during festivities. A common nature of both these beggars is that both are near religious places.



 

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