From the perspective of a contemporary Chinese Buddhist monastic, how should the history of childhood be regarded? Perhaps contemplating the huatou provides a short-cut in resolving the great doubts of life. However, the modern approach of narrative inquiry could also be a pathway to reflect on life and expand horizons.
This study utilizes Chan contemplation as a narrative tone, and the methodology of autoethnography to narrate and reflect, so as to review how childhood development shapes the character traits of a person. Furthermore, how to integrating the duality of life course through Chan practice.
This paper first describes the background of my parents including the turning points in their lives. Second to provide a macro view of my personal life history including the cultural and social background in which I had lived. Third, to do a micro-study of the major event during the first grade of my primary education, as well as the letters of my anthropologist father, to identify my parents’ educational style, work attitude and academic enthusiasm. Finally, I reflect on how my childhood experiences, my father’s adherence to the ideals of scholarship, and the perseverance of my mother in the face of difficulties have contributed to my rich and diverse vision. This is a very precious resource in life, so that through the life as a monastic, I have also persisted in the practice of Chinese Chan Buddhism, and be filled with the motivation to face challenges and open up a bright future.
