Chinese administration

The gathering of the monks

The most fascinating development from this quake disaster has been the ad-hoc congregation of monks from across the provinces to help with relief efforts. 

They've come in the thousands to Yushu county, by bus or motorbike, their presence as visible as government-dispatched rescue workers. And they've brought with them food or shovels, come in prayer - or to direct traffic. 

Up on the hill overlooking the city on Saturday, many of them joined together to chant prayers for the dead during the mass cremation, and scouring the place, we didn't see a single government official present.