V To Have Guts - Shi Daoxin: Live as a real myself.

Shi Daoxin, born in 1982. Calls himself a monk artist.

When I was little I was the only child of the family therefore there wasn't much belief in religion in my family. From a young age my body was frail I did not start going to school until I was 8 years old. At that time you could say a family with an only child lived comfortably. As for one of our "after 80" people are concerned at that time everyday feeling content with the current situation going to school, studying, hoping after you grow up to have some dreams. Parents have big dreams for their children. But when I was 12 years old I was exposed to Buddhism it was very attractive to me. for example the quiet life of the monastery as well as the chanting. While they did their homework in mornings and evenings or the sounding of the morning bell and the drum in the evening, those kinds of musical sounds both moved me and attracted me.

In 1999 I became a monk. That is when I had an assessment period. I was assessed for two months. After that I received tonsure. The same year a big event happened at that time because I had strong notions of becoming a monk my family was very unstable because of the feelings of my parents as well as a lot of internal factors. The second half of 1999 they divorced. My mother wrote me a letter telling me "the judge awarded custody of me to my father". That same year my father still did not start another family. After 2 years he found another woman to share a life with.

So at that time I think my mother was having the most difficulty. But that is when I just achieved my dream to become a monk and I could not immediately abandon everything to return home and be by their side. Even if I wished that they could continue to live together. When I was young I was very introverted, not good at expressing myself therefore there was no way to dissuade them and in addition I just became a monk. It is impossible to give up this kind way of thinking, this kind of life. At the time I felt mentally very depressed I did not know what to do

My primary notion is there is no mistake in being a monk but I want to do some things that can contribute to society, something of significance. Not only to do something to protect the environment, to be charitable to deliver all beings from torment and to preach the scriptures there only some of the original reasons. This is some of the things I should do, this is my job. Beyond this everyone's capabilities are vast. You only have to be willing to challenge yourself, willing to develop your capabilities and knowledge. I think then you can do a lot of things.

Everyone possesses a kind heart even if you do not have millions or tens of millions to donate. Even if you volunteer for a disaster area to do small things this is enough. This to be merciful, this is religious practice. Why? Religious practice's most important point is to reform yourself well regardless of whether it is from temperament or fate. It still is an idea of the innermost, being it incessantly changes. This transformation process is also a religious practice. So in my experience of the world of mortals over these past several years. I think that I am gaining far more knowledge than I would have being in a classroom or tradition monastery at the same time. I also let me religious practices to grow with each passing day that is to say my way thinking is not the same and I want to convey it is extremely rich.