SPECIAL EXPERIENCE: The secular participants pray in the morning at the Buddhist Monastery of Putuo Mountain, Zhejiang Province, on April 27 (CFP)

"There are two reasons for the suspension," Master Zhidu wrote in a letter to the public. "One is security concerns raised by excessive participants, while the other is an overabundance of attention, which we want to avoid. After all, a Buddist monastery should be a quiet place for meditation. Crowded visitors would disturb the routine of the temple."

Many applicants, apart from curiosity, are willing to become full-time monks or nuns in the future, but they would prefer to experience such life first.

Master Zhidu admitted that some people want to escape the secular world by joining monasteries, but they should not do so for negative reasons. According to the master, true Buddhists should remain active in life and society.

"Some people might misunderstand the aim of the class. We invite secular people to experience our way of daily life in order to help them understand the true meaning of existence," Zhidu stressed.

Of course, some applicants are only interested in a free trip to Cien Temple, the master added, but these do not last long. The monastery has strict rules and disciplines regulating participation. For example, the temple forbid the consumption of meat and liquor. Though the temple is provided with WiFi and Internet facilities, such services are only available at set times.

According to the master, many people could not stick it out during the Zen class. Even though they finished the class, they aren't interested in participating in the event again.

"After all, the experience of being a monk is not easy for the secular people who have been used to unconstrained way of life," Zhidu said.

Zen's effect

In recent years, many Buddhist monasteries across China have opened their doors to believers as well as those in search of spiritual fulfillment.

Ma Liang, a professor of public administration at Zhejiang Gongshang University, said the experience of practicing Buddhism is gaining popularity among urbanites, especially youngsters. "This phenomenon indicates the need to release daily pressures."

"People are likely to lose themselves in the stress of pursuing specific goals. In particular, social competition is fierce amidst rapid development," Ma added.

For example, more than half the applicants at the Cien Temple are aged between 20 and 30, with about 200 applicants being senior executives. Many said they face great pressure at work and hope to obtain spiritual enrichment and reach inner peace through visiting the monastery.

Buddhism, by doctrine, teaches believers to display tolerance toward all things. In particular, after years of cultivation in the monastery, monks should be more tolerant of the world.

"Currently, many people want to refresh their minds and rebuild their spiritual worlds via meditation, with the anxiety of modern life having such a great impact on health," said Yang Jianhua, a researcher at Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences.

"Though people hardly meditate everyday, it is important to find a quiet environment to reflect. In this regard, Buddhist monasteries are ideal."

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