Now and Zen: China’s Buddhist temples open doors to modern mainland soul-searchers
Retreats are proving popular among Chinese seeking solace and meaning in their lives
After a two-month wait, Lin, a university professor in southern China, finally got in.
Lin is not religious but was keen to take a place on a weeklong Buddhist retreat at the Donghua Zen Temple in Guangdong to reflect on her life.
Over those seven days, Lin and more than 30 other women from different parts of the country severed all contact with the outside world and immersed themselves in meditation. They got up at about 4 am and spent the day in contemplation, walking around a Buddhist statue and listening to lectures before calling it a day at 8pm. It proved physically challenging – the long hours of sitting induced severe pain – but Lin left elated.
“I learned a lot from my retreat experience. I know how to correctly meditate and have a deeper understanding of life and the universe,” she said.
“Before the retreat, I was not happy with my job, thinking I wasn’t paid enough and couldn’t find my value at work. But now I have a belief that I live to help other people ... With everything I do, I can benefit other people.”
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Lin is just one of many eager people who have signed up for the popular monthly retreats at the temple, which are reserved for women on odd-numbered months and men on the others. Temple staff said demand had grown and it fielded hundreds of applicants for the 40 slots each month.