Tortoises crowd a pond in front of South Putuo Temple in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province. Buddhists believe setting free a tortoise, which symbolizes longevity, can bring luck and happiness. However, temple authorities are asking believers to stop putting tortoises in the pond. (Photo/IC)
Life-release, or saving lives destined for slaughter, is a symbolic Buddhist activity, but sometimes kindness becomes annoying. Residents in Xiamen, Fujian province, life-resealed so many turtles that the reptiles have overwhelmed a pond, Chinanews.com reported on Monday.
The pond, which is in front of South Putuo Temple in the city, was designed for believers to practice the Buddhism principals of life releasing.
Hundreds of turtles have been released into the tiny pond and the animals turtles are so crammed together that they are climbing on each other for relief.
The temple has had to put up a sign to stop people from releasing more turtles into the pond.
