April Fools Joke? -- Chinas first anti-terrorism squad was established on April 1 in Lingyin Temple, a famed ancient Buddhist institution (since 326AD) in the touristy city of Hangzhou in Zhejiang. Twenty among the 45-strong SWAT team are monks and nuns, the others are security guards, including some retired military officers, according to state-owned China News Agency. The agency says the team was formed after the violent knife attacks in Kunming city in which 33 people were killed. The Buddhist masters chant mantras during the day, train in (anti-terrorism) at night, said Master Jueheng, explaining the temple needs safety and preventative measures as it receives about 10,000 visitors per day. The squad, being trained by the police, is equipped with chili water, batons and shields. Some Chinese Netizens on Twitter say therere no real monks or nuns in the temple, they have a 9-5 office schedule and can get married. Hangzhou is famous for gardens, the West Lake and silk.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 10:39:25 +0000
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