Do Not Believe, but Do Not Act Recklessly! A Look at the Cause and Effect of the Tragedy of an Internet Celebrity

The Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan has closed its eyes and shed tears four times. (Internet image)

[People News] In early August 2026, a piece of news sent shockwaves across major online platforms.

The internet celebrity "Jiang Xiaorou" (real name Li Xiuting), known for her paranormal exploration and debunking content and boasting millions of fans, tragically suffered a serious car accident while returning to Guangdong from Guangxi. After more than 20 days of intensive care in the ICU, she was ultimately declared dead due to severe traumatic brain injury and multiple organ failure, at just 24 years old.

The death of a young internet celebrity in the prime of her life should evoke a sense of tragedy. However, in the comment section following her passing, there was not only an outpouring of condolences but also intense discussions among tens of thousands of netizens regarding "cause and effect" and "a sense of reverence."

What exactly transpired behind this?

Extreme debunking or challenging taboos with one's life

During her lifetime, "Jiang Xiaorou" attracted countless followers through her "late-night solo adventures" and "on-site revelations of paranormal phenomena." In her quest to prove that "there are no gods or ghosts in the world," her video style was notably radical.

In many of her videos, she engaged in various controversial actions to attract views—such as smashing Guanyin statues, destroying offerings for folk rituals, and even verbally provoking in abandoned graves and dilapidated temples.

After the news of her car accident and subsequent death emerged, netizens quickly linked her past actions to this tragic event.

Many netizens have openly remarked: "Debunking pseudoscience is acceptable, but vandalizing idols and disrespecting faith for the sake of attention is a different issue altogether. One may choose not to believe, but respect must be maintained; there are certain destinies in the universe that are predetermined."

Additionally, netizens from Guangxi and the Lingnan region have pointed out: "The Lingnan area places a strong emphasis on folk beliefs and feng shui taboos. Going to extremes for online traffic serves as a serious warning for all adventure bloggers."

The Impact of Miraculous Natural Phenomena

Some argue that this 'fearless' attitude stems from prolonged education in atheism and materialism, which has caused people to lose their reverence for deities, treating everything as a mere tool for spectacle and traffic. 'Jiang Xiaorou' is risking her life for online views.

Interestingly, during the recent passage of a massive typhoon, while many modern buildings were left in disarray, people were surprised to find that several ancient temples and land god shrines remained unscathed amidst the storm.

Architects might attribute this to the wisdom of ancient building site selection, which often involves being backed by mountains and facing the sea, as well as the wind-resistant flexibility of their mortise and tenon structures. However, from a folk tradition perspective, this reflects a deep reliance on the natural forces of heaven and earth. Whether through science or faith, both lead to the same conclusion—humans should always maintain humility and reverence in the face of nature and the unknown.

Historical Lessons from 'Destroying the Four Olds' and Attacks on Buddhism

In reality, the absurdities and tragedies resulting from blaspheming deities and destroying faith throughout history far surpass today's incident on the internet.

During the Cultural Revolution's 'Destroy the Four Olds' campaign, there was a nationwide frenzy to eliminate so-called 'feudal superstitions,' with no hesitation in smashing Buddha statues and burning Buddhist scriptures. Many fervent participants from that time later faced extremely tragic consequences.

The Warning from the Shali Pagoda in Linqing, Shandong

During the Cultural Revolution, at the Shali Pagoda on the border of Shandong and Hebei, there was a rebel in his 30s named Wang Dezhong. He was skeptical of retribution and frequently led groups to vandalize the Buddha statues on the pagoda. On one occasion, he noticed the large inscription 'Namo Amitabha Buddha' on the pagoda and ordered some youths to smash it. When they hesitated, he climbed the ladder himself, hammer in hand, to do the job. However, after only a few strikes, he suddenly fell headfirst from the ladder and died instantly!

The 'Rabies' Incident at Mingdeng Temple in Sichuan

In Yuechi, Sichuan, there stands a grand ancient temple known as Mingdeng Temple. During the 'Four Olds' campaign, the local township head, He Deming, led a group to destroy the temple, smashing the large Buddha statues, Bodhisattvas, and cultural relics beyond recognition. Less than a week after the destruction, He Deming was bitten by a wild dog while returning home and contracted rabies. At that time, due to the ongoing political movement, there were no medical facilities available. He was confined to a small room, where he went into a frenzy, biting his own flesh, and ultimately died in excruciating pain.

Modern Strange Cases: The Fate of the Buddha Statue Thieves

If you think the events of the Cultural Revolution are too distant, let’s examine a real warning incident that occurred in modern times.

In September 2013, a bizarre case unfolded in Zaolin Village, Juqiao Town, Hebi City, Henan Province. This temple, built during the Kangxi era, is classified as a national third-level cultural relic. That night, seven thieves drove into the temple to steal Buddha statues, planning to remove the heads to sell for a significant profit.

One of the thieves managed to detach three Buddha heads and placed them in the car. However, when he turned back to lift the Buddha body, he suddenly collapsed to the ground and lost consciousness! His accomplices rushed him to the hospital, but the doctor confirmed that he was already dead.

Even more astonishing is the case of an accomplice, Wang Mou, who secretly buried one of the Buddha heads in his backyard, hoping to strike it rich. Instead of wealth, however, his wife soon suffered a broken leg. Police investigations revealed that this temple had been robbed three times throughout history, and the suspect from the first robbery died in a car accident while attempting to flee!

A Cautionary Tale for Modern Society

In the age of the internet, where traffic is abundant, many individuals are willing to cross any moral boundary and disregard taboos just to capture attention and gain popularity.

Yet, the tragedy of 'Jiang Xiaorou' and these remarkable coincidences and warnings from history serve as reminders:

Whether or not you believe in religion, whether you identify as a materialist or a proponent of traditional culture, the principle of 'reverence for heaven and earth, and respect for others' remains the fundamental moral standard for being a decent person.

When we look up, the three feet above us may not only represent deities but also symbolize our moral, natural, and existential boundaries. Valuing life is the best form of self-protection.

(First published in People News)
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