temple.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
The Qixia Temple in Nanjing, China, recently offered 50 individuals a four-day program to experience how Buddhist monks live every day.
Out of 3,500 applications, 50 people were selected for the program. All chosen participants have ages between 20 and 50, and came from different social and professional backgrounds.
The so-called short-term monks lived under strict conditions, which included the restriction from using any electronic gadget during their stay. They also had to eat vegetarian food, read Buddhist scriptures and sit in meditation.
Food, accommodation and activities were provided by the Qixia Temple for the participants.
College student Chen Yu, one of the lucky participants, told China Daily that the experience was indeed different from his usual routine.
"I felt dizzy several times when I chanted with the monks at 5:30 in the morning on an empty stomach. I used to stay up late, but the temple has a regulation that we should wake up at 5:00," Chen said.
Another participant, office worker Yu Ying, shared that he was surprised to learn that vegetarian dishes from the temple are delicious. He said that he might be changing his diet soon.
"We had various kinds of vegetables for lunch and dinner because people are not supposed to eat meat at Buddhist temples. To my surprise, the dishes at the temple tasted good. I may try to become a vegetarian in the future for my health," Yu said.
Participants were also urged to sleep before 9 p.m. and refrain from drinking, smoking and sharing gossips. Unscented soaps, shampoos and toothpastes were the only necessities allowed in the temple.
Master Longxiang, abbot of Qixia Temple, reminded the participants that the Zen is about living at ease with no prejudice.
Qixia Temple announced that they will be hosting another meditation class for 150 people for the New Year Festival.
