On the western shores of Erhai Lake, the whitewashed walls and grey-tiled roofs of Shacun Benzhu Monastery stand against the Dali sky. This temple, located in the historic fishing village of Shacun in Xizhou Town, Yunnan Province, serves as the spiritual anchor for a community shaped by water and wood. Its origins reach back to the ancient Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms, when local fishermen first sought protection from maritime disasters.

Inside the main hall, the scent of incense drifts past carved woodwork. Here, the Bai people worship Lu Ban, the legendary Chinese patron god of builders and carpenters, alongside minor deities and historical figures. This choice of protector reflects the deep connection between the village's physical structures and its spiritual life. Generations of local carpenters left their chisel marks on these columns, honoring their divine patron through their labor.

The monastery remains a space of active devotion. Every year, on the second day of the first lunar month, the annual Shacun Benzhu Festival begins. Villagers dress in traditional Bai attire to offer prayers for health and good weather. On quiet afternoons, the voices of the Lianchihui, a local Bai women's Buddhist organization, rise from the hall. These women lead scriptural chanting and coordinate community welfare, their rhythmic prayers echoing off the stone floors.

Outside, the adjoining community plaza transitions from a quiet assembly space to a stage of fire and sound. During seasonal celebrations, the clack of the traditional Octagonal Whip Dance and folk singing fill the air. On the night of the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, the plaza hosts the Torch Festival. Villagers work together to bind pine wood and dry grass into giant torches. When night falls, they light these towering structures, sending orange sparks into the cool lakeside breeze. The crackle of the flames and the heat of the fire connect the modern community to centuries of ancestral worship, keeping the ancient Bai traditions alive on the shores of Erhai.