Rare glimpse of pioneering art (2)

After returning to China in 1911, Li taught Western art at Zhejiang Secondary Normal School, and was the first Chinese person to introduce nude models in his painting classes.

Li decided to become a monk in his mid 30s at a monastery in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. At that time he was already a father of two sons.

"My grandfather only wrote a letter to the family to tell us of his decision," says Li Lijuan, one of Li Shutong's grandchildren. "He called on his family to be vegetarian and for his sons to educate themselves well."

As Master Hongyi he became known internationally for his research of the Buddhist codes. He was also regarded as the 11th forefather of the Vinaya School, a Buddhist sect.

Even so, he never stopped working on his art and his calligraphy was popular among collectors.

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