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62 EASTERN HORIZON | NEWS

A monk stretches to get himself ready for the strict new way of life at the A young monk carries a tray of food at the Shaolin Temple, where a
Shaolin Temple. Photo: Baidu strict diet of mainly vegetables has been imposed. Photo: Baidu

A foreign monk practices kung fu at the temple while another takes his The Shaolin Temple is very popular with both domestic and
photo. Photo: Baidu international visitors. Photo: Baidu

The new rules have also imposed an unprecedented unclear whether they transferred to other temples or
level of discipline at the temple. left entirely.

Monks are now required to participate in morning One young monk lamented that having his mobile
prayers at t 4.30am, followed by farming and then Zen phone, which was used for reading scriptures,
martial arts practice in the afternoon. confiscated felt like “losing an arm”, while another joked
that he now “smells vegetables and feels like vomiting”.
Mobile phones must now be stored in a central
storeroom, and all forms of entertainment are banned. The resignations have also ignited a heated discussion
Screen time has been reduced to just 30 minutes. on mainland social media.

The diet has also become stricter, consisting mainly of One person said: “This helps weed out a large number
vegetables, with tofu permitted only once a week. of fakes who became monks just to enjoy life.”

The demanding schedule and lifestyle reforms have “Those leaving were never real monks, they chanted
been humorously dubbed by netizens as “Buddhist 996” ‘gold’ rather than Buddhist scriptures. It is a good thing.
in reference to the work culture in some Chinese tech Let them go and take away the impurities with them,”
companies where employees work from 9am to 9pm, said another.
six days a week.
While a third quipped: “When pilgrims arrive at the
The move has reportedly triggered a wave of Shaolin Temple and see how hard the monks live, they
resignations. suddenly feel their own lives are not so bad after all.”

Within a week of the new abbot’s appointment, more Source: South China Morning Post. www.scmp.com EH
than 30 monks and staff reportedly left the temple. It is