Recording their youths
Updated:2011-09-28 18:13
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Shi Daoxin, born 1982, calls himself a monk artist.
I was an only child, and there wasn't much belief in religion in my family. From a young age my body was frail. I did not start going to school until I was 8 years old. At that time you could say a family with an only child lived comfortably. But when I was 12, I was exposed to Buddhism and it was very attractive to me. For example the quiet life of the monastery as well as the chanting.
In 1999 I became a monk. That is when I had an assessment period. I was assessed for two months. After that I received tonsure. The same year a big event happened in my family. My parents divorced. My mother wrote me a letter telling me "the judge awarded custody of me to my father."
My primary notion is there is no mistake in being a monk but I want to do something that can contribute to society, something of significance.
Everyone possesses a kind heart even if you do not have millions or tens of millions to give away. Even if you volunteer for a disaster area to do small things, this is enough. This is religious practice.