Shanghai's Yufo Temple on Thursday launches a week-long program that lets people experience life as a monk. Most of the participants are female office workers.
The program will be held from October 15 to 21, and it is aimed at reducing stress by experiencing monks' daily lives. Activities include listening to the abbot's teaching, copying Buddhist sutras, meditating and chanting.
Days are tightly scheduled from 5:30 am to 8:30 pm.
Master Huihong told the Global Times on Tuesday that there were 108 places for the program and it was filled within 10 days.
Participants will go through a modified tonsure ceremony.
"We will not shave off all of the hair, but will only cut a bit of it, symbolizing the ceremony," he explained.
Huihong added that the program's purpose is to let people experience the life of a monk, not to recruit people.
He also emphasized that meals will be provided in the temple, correcting some media reports that participants will have to beg for all of their food.
"[Begging for food] is a Buddhist ceremony and will be held at noon on the last day of the program. Participants will follow the master and walk a planned route," Huihong said.
According to Yufo Temple, each participant has to pay 2,000 yuan ($315) for the program, to cover costs such as clothing, meals and renting venues.
The temple is currently considering launching a second round of the program.
The temple also announced that it had received nearly 120 requests by Tuesday afternoon.
