In 2008, her parents supported her daughter to give up her 985 college studies and become a nun. 14 years on, do they regret this decision?
Most people will say one or two words in their lives, "I want to become a monk", but very few people actually achieve it.
After all, there are deep ties in the seemingly complicated "red dust", and most of us are just ordinary "laymen", and it is difficult to let go of the worldly concerns. However, there is a girl in her youth who resolutely chose to become a monk after being admitted to a 985 college.
And her parents also supported her after learning about her ideas.
Many people are puzzled by her choice, why did she choose to give up when the future is uncertain? Does this girl really see through life? From 2008 to now, 14 years have passed, does she regret her original choice now?
Why did she suddenly make such a decision in the first place? Buddhism says that only people are destined to cross, so what kind of fate will there be between a girl with excellent grades, admitted to college, loved by her parents, and just the right youth?
This girl changed her name to Shi Zheng Xiaotong after becoming a monk, and her fate with the Buddhist family can be said to have existed since she was a child, and it can even be traced back to her mother.
Shi Zheng Xiaotong, a Henan girl born in 1989, was deeply influenced by her mother's Buddhist beliefs. Since childhood, her home has been filled with the smell of Buddha incense, and she has also developed a deep interest in Buddhism.
Under the influence of her family, she often followed her mother to meditate and read scriptures, and gained a deeper understanding of Buddhism. And the experience of traveling made her make up her mind to become a monk.
Shi Zhengxiaotong has been the "child of other people's family" in his mouth since he was a child, handsome, kind-hearted, smart and cute, with excellent grades and is loved by people.
New copywriting: Shi Zhengxiao has never let her parents worry about her studies, and her first grade in the school in junior high school allowed her to be admitted to Anyang Experimental High School, which is a key high school that gathers many top students.
In such an environment, she did not become complacent because of her achievements, but worked harder. Although her high school life was intense and fulfilling, she always focused on her studies and politely refused to confess to others.
Her efforts have been recognized and loved by her teachers and classmates, and her grades in high school have been equally excellent.
Shi Zheng Xiaotong's father loves his daughter very much, so he decided to take her out to relax during the summer vacation. When her father asked her if she wanted to go to ** to play, she chose Tiantai Temple.
The father was very puzzled about his daughter's choice, because he never thought that his daughter would choose to go to the land of Buddhism. However, Shi Zheng Xiaotong's answer was always the same, she said: "It's just right to go to Tiantai Temple, and my mother likes it too, so we can go together!" ”
Although Shi Zheng Xiaotong's mind is elusive, the daughter's request makes the father have to compromise. So, at the insistence of Shi Zheng Xiaotong, their family of three embarked on a journey to Tiantai Temple in Hong'an, Hubei.
On the way, Shi Zhengxiao was full of expectations and kept imagining the mysterious appearance of Tiantai Temple. Tiantai Temple, after more than 1,400 years of vicissitudes of wind and rain, formerly known as Chicheng Temple, is located on the top of the mountains, to the Ming Dynasty, it was renamed Tiantai Temple.
In the long history of thousands of years, the incense of Tiantai Temple has always been lingering, and there is an endless stream of believers. However, in the war at the end of the Qing Dynasty, part of the temple building was unfortunately damaged.
It was not until 2004 that reconstruction began. Shi Zhengxiao, who came to Tiantai Temple, was deeply attracted by everything here. She felt the tranquility and tranquility of the temple, as if it could go straight to the depths of her heart and bring an indescribable peace.
The silence in the temple, even if there is noise, is the noise of Buddhism, the bell echoes in the mountains and forests, and the sound of chanting spreads all over the four fields, making people feel suddenly enlightened. She loved everything about the temple and even begged her parents to stay in the monastery for a few more days.
Looking at their daughter's longing eyes, the parents did not object, only told her that she could relax during this time, but not forget about her studies.
Shi Zhengxiao Tong remembered that her first priority was to study and enter university, so she immediately assured her father that she would never forget. So they continued to spend some time in the temple.
During this period, she attended morning classes, meditated, chanted, and ate fasting with the **s**. She liked the bells, wooden fish, and chanting of the Tiantai Temple very much, and she did not feel a trace of boredom, but was full of yearning for these.
Shi Zheng Xiaotong's heart is full of nostalgia and yearning for Tiantai Temple, but she knows that she must return to real life and continue to complete her studies. Although she was reluctant to leave that beautiful place, she knew that in order to achieve her dreams, she had to persevere.
In returning to real life to study, she still maintained her love for Buddhism, which also laid the groundwork for her future path to becoming a monk. Although she left Tendaiji Temple, she will always remember that beautiful place in her heart.
At some point, she still thinks about everything about Tiantai Temple, and even looks forward to the day when she will go there again. But these thoughts can only be hidden deep in her heart, because she understands that the most important task at this time is to concentrate on her studies and work hard to complete her studies.
Her parents had been expecting her to get into a good university so that she could find a satisfying job in the future. She didn't want to disappoint her parents, so she put all her energy into preparing for the college entrance examination.
Her hard work paid off, and in the end, she was admitted to Shandong University, a famous 985 university in China, with excellent results.
The joy of her parents was beyond words, and she was also happy when she saw them ecstatic. She felt that her efforts had paid off, and that the expectations of her parents and teachers had not been disappointed, which made her feel very relieved.
In the blink of an eye, Shi Zheng Xiaotong began her college life. Although she was admitted to college, the competition in college was fiercer and she had to work harder. And, in order to better integrate into campus life, she, like many freshmen, studyed, made friends, and participated in clubs ......But as time went on, she began to feel pressured and felt that this life was not what she expected.
Gradually, she began to miss the days of Tiantai Temple, and constantly wondered, is this kind of life what she really wants?
She felt lost about the road ahead and didn't know where to start. So she confided in her mother, but she told her to listen to her heart. However, she has always been confused about her own heart and doesn't know what she really wants.
In this moment of confusion, the Buddha gave her a hint. In her dream, she met the Buddha, who told her, "Everything in the world is a test of fate." ”
In the dream, she also dreamed that she was wearing cloth clothes, sitting in front of the Buddha and meditating, feeling the wisps of Buddha incense and the sound of chanting, all of which made her feel real and comfortable.
Trials"? Shi Zheng Xiaotong kept thinking, is everything she has experienced a trial? Is it even a trial to give up your studies and devote yourself to Buddhism? Although the Buddha did not answer her doubts, Shi Zheng Xiaotong saw his own heart clearly.
She felt a kind of release, as if it coincided with what Buddhism called "destined people". So, she resolutely told her parents her decision to become a nun. Although her parents were shocked, out of respect and understanding for her, they chose to support.
Shi Zhengxiao is a stubborn person, and even when relatives, friends and teachers try to persuade and blame her, she has never changed her mind. Her parents understood and supported her, resisted the incomprehension of the outside world and the accusations of relatives and friends, and did not complain, but just told her that being herself is the most important.
Therefore, in 2008, she chose to cut off the three thousand troubles, gave up the university and the tedious world, became a nun, and became the Buddha of Shi Zheng Xiaotong.
Shi Zheng Xiaotong, a former college student, gave up his worldly life and chose to escape into the empty door. For many, such a choice may seem a little incredible.
However, Shi Zheng Xiaotong has found the true meaning of her life. The life of Buddhism may be bitter in the eyes of ordinary people, but Shi Zheng Xiaotong feels that the life here is just right.
She wakes up early every morning for morning classes and starts her day immersed in the Buddha-scented room and the crisp sound of wooden fish. In the monastery, Shaksho filial piety and other monks chant sutras, meditate, go out of the slope, and study.
Such a day is simple, but full of tranquility and focus. Time passed leisurely in the mountains, and she slowly got used to this life, no longer feeling bored, and only devoted herself to practicing Buddhism.
Shi Zhengxiaotong's choice may not be understood, but for herself, it is the way to find the true meaning of life. Here, she found inner peace and found the true meaning of life.
In this place far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, only the lonely mountains are companions, and Shi Zheng Xiaotong's heart is extremely quiet. For her, life here is full of fun, meditating in the morning, cleaning the courtyard, devoting herself to worshipping the Buddha, enlightening tourists, and the cycle is not boring.
Whenever she goes out of the slope, Shi Zheng Xiaotong always fights to do those hard work, and when she is cleaning, when she encounters small insects, she will carefully put them aside, for fear of accidentally hurting them.
Shi Zhengxiao's life in the temple was both frugal and fulfilling. She only wears one set of monk's clothes a season, washes it that night when it is dirty, and mends it when it is broken, and for her, this simple lifestyle does not feel bitter.
Unlike other temples, not only does Tendaiji Temple have the sound of Buddhism and daily chanting, but the monks are also proficient in singing and dancing, and occasionally drink tea and ask questions. This is not a quiet and lonely temple, it is full of noise and energy, and every sound is a vehicle for the Dharma.
* The power is infinite, and Abbot Shaktori, the abbot of Tendaiji Temple, knows this very well. He believes that ** can not only change the social atmosphere, but also an effective way to practice Buddhism.
Therefore, in April 2006, he launched a project called "Buddhist Art Class", hoping to spread the Dharma through **. Shi Zheng Xiaotong joined the project and became a member of the Guangxuan Art Troupe, China's first monk art troupe.
In this art troupe, there are many majors such as vocal music, instrumental music, dance, etc., and all kinds of musical instruments are available, which truly realizes the integration of Chinese and Western cultures. ”
In the art troupe, young monks learn to practice Zen through chanting and **. Shi Zhengxiao loves the violin, although she only started learning at the age of 20 and has no foundation, she persists every day, and her fingers hurt unbearably after every practice.
However, due to the lack of professional guidance in the mountains, she had to take a six- or seven-hour ride to Wuhan for guidance. Despite this, Shi Zheng's enthusiasm is undiminished, and her determination and perseverance are admirable.
In the face of difficulties, Shi Zhengxiao never gave up and insisted on practicing every day. Repeatedly correct your movements and posture to achieve perfection. Her tireless efforts have led to her becoming more and more sophisticated, not only in a variety of roles such as hosting, playing and reciting in the troupe, but also being willing to help others and patiently answer questions.
In 2012, a photo circulated on the Internet, in which a bhikshuni dressed in monk's robes, had a gentle temperament and a quiet smile, which was impressive.
This ** sparked heated discussions among many people, and the bhikshuni in ** was praised by netizens as "the most beautiful nun in China". She is Shi Zheng Xiaotong. **Yu Guangxuan Art Troupe's performance, titled "Hubei is now composed of monks and nuns Zen Orchestra".
Shi Zheng Xiaotong also participated in this performance, so it attracted everyone's attention. As the attention grew, so did the discussion about her. With everyone's curiosity about her, Shi Zhengxiaotong's past experience is gradually revealed.
Shi Zheng Xiaotong, who caused heated discussions on the Internet, resolutely chose to become a monk although he was a college student. In this regard, some people question that Buddhism emphasizes the purity of the six roots, so why do you still engage in **?
A lot of people think it's a hype. However, Shi Zheng Xiaotong's popularity is not something she can control. If given a choice, she would rather not be given too much attention and just want to do her due diligence in the temple.
Despite the constant discussions, Shi Zheng Xiaotong still maintained his inner peace and did not feel a trace of uneasiness, anger, fear or joy. She still retains that serenity and determination.
When Shi Zhengxiao was interviewed, he always remained calm about the accusations, misunderstandings, and abuses of the world. She believes that the most important thing for a monk is to maintain a pure and calm heart, and to be able to stick to herself and not be bothered by the outside world, regardless of the noise from the outside world.
She sees these challenges as part of her practice, and just being herself is enough.
In the face of malice and goodwill from the outside world, Shi Zheng Xiaotong has always adhered to his beliefs, responded to all doubts and speculations with righteousness and sternness, and proved his worth with time and actions.
For kindness, she will also return it with a smile, no matter how noisy the outside world is, she always insists on doing her own thing and never cares about the opinions of others. Today, the 33-year-old has been practicing Zen music for 14 years, and her face is aging, but her faith and perseverance remain the same as when she was 19.
Whether in the past or now, Shi Zheng Xiaotong is the one who sticks to his faith and proves himself with his actions.
Shi Zhengxiao once said that everything is a test. From the moment she made up her mind, she faced tests from her parents, relatives, friends, and teachers. Even if there is a hesitation or retreat, she may not be the current Shi Zheng Xiaotong.
But she was never defeated and always stayed true to her inner path. For decades, her love and pursuit of Buddhism has been unwavering. She never regrets her original choice.
Today, she has gone through thousands of sails, but the only thing that remains unchanged is her passion for Buddhism, which is the true meaning of her life. Shi Zhengxiao is glad that her choice and persistence have made her life special.
She is very happy with this life.
Everyone has the right to choose their own way of life, and no one has the right to interfere in the lives of others. Shi Zhengxiao chose to become a monk, and some people supported it, and some people criticized it.
However, her parents supported her choice, and she worked hard to live and cherish each day, both before and after she became a monk. Being a monk is not an escape from reality, but a new way of life, and she always takes life seriously.
The criticism of the establishment of an art troupe in Tiantai Temple is even more nonsense. Like the scriptures, they are all carriers, and the Dharma lies in the mind, not in the form. Everyone has their own choices, and respecting the choices of others is what we should do.