Top mind turns down full ride at MIT, chooses to be a monk

Liu Zhiyu
Liu Zhiyu, a math wizard and a fresh graduate from Beijing University, gave up a full scholarship offered by the prestigious U.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and chose to become a Buddhist at the Longquan Temple, the first Buddhist temple in Beijing.

"Tall, very thin and not talkative," was how Liu was described by a female practitioner at the Longquan Temple located in Beijing Haidian district. An old professor brought Liu here two years ago and then he came here from time to time, the female practitioner said.

Liu has just started to do practice at present, and it will take several years of study for him to formally convert to Buddhism, according to a monk, his Buddhist name being Xian Dong. But Liu Zhiyu declined to be interviewed by reporters.

Liu's parents hope he gets some social experiences

Liu had applied for and was offered a full scholarship at MIT and his family has already helped him pack his bags. They were shocked when he suddenly announced he planned to become a monk.

"We firmly oppose his decision. I have been exhausted, both in physically and mentally, for a couple of months and his mother also suffered from a disease," said Liu's father. "We don't complain to anyone, but just feel so helpless. He just graduated from university and has no social experiences and ability to help others."


Longquan Temple
About Liu Zhiyu

Liu, from central China's Hubei province, won the gold medal of the 47th International Mathematical Olympiad in 2006 and was recommended for admission to Beijing University at the same year. He successfully applied for a full scholarship at MIT before his graduation.

Liu is introverted, gentle and helpful, according to his roommates. He joined Beijing University Zen club and reading club. He became a vegetarian and his roommates "had not heard of anything about his emotional entanglement."

A member from Beijing University's reading club said Liu often read Buddhist scriptures and always wanted to make everyone happy.

By Liang Jun, People's Daily Online