Amid Tech Pressures, Meditation And Modernity In China

The tech industry may mean free food, but it’s also marked by long hours, stress, coding errors, hacking — and burnout.

In China, those who have flamed out in the rough-and-tumble startup world are turning to enlightenment via Buddhism.

The New York Times noted on Thursday (Sept. 8) that a “new generation has arrived” at monasteries seeking solace and direction, even as they feel “spiritually adrift.” In the spotlight: Longquan Monastery, based in Beijing, a center of peace and tranquility with a difference, as it’s staffed by nuclear physicists and computer programmers. The monks have put out cartoons and built robots to greet visitors and have been branching out into artificial intelligence. Visitors can also work with ancient texts downloaded onto their iPads.

Though critics may charge that such modernity may warp the original teachings and intent of ancient Buddhism, the monks say the message has to get out — and in a speedy way — to as many followers and would-be followers as possible.

As the monastery is in close quarters to the top universities and tech firms based in Beijing, the lure is there for young professionals. Urban legend among startups has it that Zhang Xiaolong, a WeChat inventor, found inspiration for the app during a retreat at the temple.

Others come from firms as diverse as JD.com and Xiaomi, the smartphone company, reported NYT.