Temple rituals saved villagers' lives

When the devastating earthquake hit Nyanang county in the Tibet autonomous region, more than 400 residents of the county's Tsongdu village were gathered for religious rituals in the yard of a monastery.

"All of the houses completely collapsed. We are so fortunate that nobody died during the disaster," said Dawa Dondrub.

"All the elders of the village were attending a sacrificial ceremony, and the youngsters were planting trees. Thanks to that, we all survived," said the 66-year-old.