To de-stress, live like a monk

Chinese office-goers, mainly women, who feel stressed, are joining programs to experience life of a Buddhist monk in order to de-stress themselves from high-pressure jobs.

Activities in the Yufo Temple in Shanghai where the week-long program was conducted included listening to abbot’s teaching, copying Buddhist sutras, meditating and chanting.

Participants also go through a modified tonsure ceremony. Master Huihong of the temple said ‘we will not shave off all the hair, but will cut a bit of it, symbolizing the ceremony.’

The over-stressed office-goer will also beg for food on the last day of the program (as begging for food is a Buddhist ceremony) and follow the master and walk a planned route.

Written by: Dr. Ajay Sati.