Through All the Storms, Still Pure at Heart
Some people endure a lifetime of hardships, yet somehow end up doing everything just to survive; some live a life of ease, never knowing what suffering is, confined within their own small world; and then there are those who have weathered countless storms, tasted bitterness and sweetness alike, yet still choose to face this bittersweet world with a pure heart.
Tsering Solang, the protagonist of our story today. After hearing his story, we were moved by his purity and admired his selflessness and optimism.
"Children are the flowers of our country — they should cross the river first."
Tsering Solang managed a ferryboat for five years and two months. Back then, there were no bridges over the Yarlung Tsangpo River, so people had to rely on boats to cross. Many would prioritize transporting adults because it paid more, leaving children waiting on the shore. Tsering Solang would tell them that was wrong — children are the flowers of our country, and they should cross the river first. Even when the boat was full, he made sure children got on first to avoid leaving them alone on the shore, which could negatively affect them emotionally. He knew transporting children earned him less money, but he also understood that children are the future of the nation. He was willing to earn a little less in order to contribute more to the future of his country.
"He was a good man — he’ll ascend to heaven and become a bodhisattva."
In the 1990s, Tsering Solang took part in flood relief efforts. The incident occurred on a bridge near an oil depot. Heavy rain triggered a flash flood, and the water rose to half the height of a building, washing away the bridge and flooding part of the farmland. At the time, Tsering Solang was the village team leader and joined forces with the Zhana County Squadron, bringing a vehicle to assist in the relief. Though many squadrons arrived, it was his Zhana County Squadron that consistently led the charge. Among the dozen or so members of the squadron, only one was Tibetan — the rest were cadres sent to support Tibet. Everyone risked their lives to hold back the floodwaters, even losing their hats to the current. He warned the squadron members that they could lose their lives. But due to poor rescue conditions, the team could only use their own bodies to block the flood. People were swept away, and Tsering Solang managed to save two of his squadron comrades. Tragically, one commander lost his life in the incident, and Tsering Solang himself injured his foot. Later, when the regional Party secretary came to visit and asked his thoughts on the fallen commander, he said, "He was a good man — he’ll ascend to heaven and become a bodhisattva." To ascend to heaven and become a bodhisattva is a high form of Tibetan praise and blessing for the deceased. While Solang must have been deeply saddened by the commander’s death, his faith led him to believe that the commander had gone on to a better life.
"They truly need this job."
Tsering Solang now manages the Shidiao Square. The government has recognized his work, providing him with food, housing, and a steadily increasing salary. But instead of focusing on how important this job is to him, he purely considers that impoverished families need it more than he does. He believes his financial situation is stable — both his children have jobs and are filial — so his personal need for the position isn’t high. He’d rather offer the job to those from poor families, as they genuinely need it. He knows the country is working hard on poverty alleviation, and he’s willing to give up his own job to support national policy.
Choosing to transport children even though transporting adults paid more, giving the highest blessing to a fallen comrade, and willingly giving up his job to someone more in need. And that’s not all — he also gives tours explaining Tibetan culture to visitors, actively participates in afforestation efforts, and supported the China-India border during wartime preparation... Born in 1949, the same year as the founding of the People’s Republic, Tsering Solang has weathered all the storms, stayed true to his original aspirations, remained pure at heart, and continues to contribute to the building of his country.