After deciding to leave my job, I went to Shichahai's Fire God Temple (Huoshen Miao) to volunteer. This is a personal story about finding peace and meaning in an unexpected place.
The Fire God Temple, located by the scenic Shichahai lakes in central Beijing, was originally built for emperors to pray for protection against fire. Today, it attracts mostly young people seeking guidance on career, wealth, love, and health. The contrast between its imperial past and its current role as a sanctuary for anxious youth is striking.
The Volunteer Process
Registration starts at 9am. After signing in, Master Wei, a Daoist priest, gives training to new volunteers. His principles are simple: observe more, listen more, think more, and speak less. This philosophy turned out to be more profound than I expected.
Tasks are assigned after training. As a volunteer, your responsibilities include:
Cleaning the incense burners - the large bronze burners in the courtyard need regular cleaning of ash and spent incense sticks. This physical work is oddly meditative.
Striking the qing - when worshippers come to pray, you strike the qing, a Buddhist percussion instrument, to accompany their prayers. The clear, resonant sound creates a sacred atmosphere.
Guiding fortune stick drawing (qian) - when visitors draw a fortune stick, you help interpret the result. The temple's fortune poems are surprisingly poetic and insightful.
Stories from the Temple
During my time as a volunteer, I met many visitors seeking answers. A young girl stood before the deity for a long time before asking, "Who am I?" - a question that resonated deeply. Regular visitors told me the temple's guidance was "very accurate" and that they came whenever facing important decisions.
One elderly man came every week to pray for his daughter's health. A couple asked for blessings on their marriage. A recent graduate sought career guidance. Each person carried their own story, their own hopes and fears.
Volunteer Requirements
Age 18-50. Attend the Thursday training session. Dress modestly - no shorts, no revealing clothing. Be respectful of religious customs and other visitors. No photography inside the main halls.
Location: Fire God Temple (Huoshen Miao), Shichahai, Beijing. Near the Houhai lakes, accessible by metro and bus.
Volunteering here taught me that sometimes when you feel lost, the best thing to do is stop, be still, and listen. The answers often come when you stop desperately searching for them.
