Biographical Notes on Li Shu Tong

Author: Jin Mei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Having tasted the luxury and opulence of and, Li Shu Tong withdrew from the mortal world, carrying three sets of monk's robes and a shoulder load of Buddhist scriptures. He willingly and meticulously experienced the extreme disparities of life. Such a situation, as he experienced, can only be undertaken by one who has achieved great enlightenment, great courage, and great wisdom. You may not necessarily agree with the Buddhist doctrines he believed in, the Western Pure Land he yearned for, or the certain precepts he adhered to. However, he unwaveringly upheld specific beliefs and correspondingly acted in alignment with them to reach his ideal state of pursuit. Such a resolute, courageous, and arduous personality and spiritual strength is worth serious reflection and borrowing for all who are troubled by the bonds of fame and profit, restless between life and death, and have lost their humanity.
Li Shu Tong made pioneering contributions in various fields such as art, music, literature, calligraphy, and seal carving. The personality strength he demonstrated after entering Buddhism has always been admired by people. This long-overlooked historical figure has been reassessed since the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a hot topic of interest. Biographies, chronicles, novels, and film and television works depicting his life have continuously emerged, along with a substantial research team both domestically and internationally. This book collects 50 research articles by the author, totaling 300,000 words, which can be divided into two categories: one examines and analyzes the long-standing "deceptive" accounts of his life, and the other provides detailed introductions to people and events related to Master Hong Yi that have been either overlooked or briefly mentioned in others' works. The book also includes over 120 illustrations, where text and images complement each other.