Seeking faith through smoke

I was on my graduation trip. When I visited The Lama Temple, a famous landmark in Beijing, I saw many people burning incense and praying. It made me wonder: do we do these things truly to pray for a smooth life, or are they just symbolic gestures? And would someone who is genuinely devoted really need to spend money on incense to express their prayers?

In this photo, I found my answer: the drifting smoke seems to tell me that burning incense is 'unreal' and merely a ritual, and only those who are truly sincere can see through the smoke and glimpse the pure land (faith) within their own hearts.