Reborn in 1990: The Abbot Takes Charge of Shaolin

A Buddhist scripture in my left hand, a ... in my right. I’ll betray neither the Tathagata nor you!

Even with a beauty in my arms, the Buddha still holds my heart in check.

Reborn in the 1990s, I become Shi Mingyuan, a young novice at a dilapidated Zen temple on Mount Song.

I achieved nothing in my past life, but this time I swear to live differently.

I have no golden finger. My only advantage is the insight I’ve brought back from the future.

Faced with an empty merit box and monks on the verge of scattering, I make a decisive choice: even the Buddha needs to understand economics! Starting with a bowl of Laba congee, I build a cultural brand, host martial arts tournaments, and develop tourism and real estate, turning a monastery on the brink of bankruptcy into a world-famous business empire, one step at a time.

The once-young monk in a blue robe is swept up in the secular world, with wealth and power pouring in. How will he face the temptations before him?

He recalls a story: The demon king Papiyan once taunted Shakyamuni, “In 2,500 years, I will destroy your teachings and your faith. My demonic disciples will wear your robes, enter your temples, and spread my demonic doctrine.”

After hearing this, the Buddha wept two hot tears and said, “Those will be my true disciples. They will shed their monastic robes and go into the world. The secular world will become the temple, and the temple will become a prison.”

A cowherd walks by the ancient temple in the green hills, speaking with guileless sincerity, snot still on his face.

With a bamboo staff he drives the calf along a cloud-veiled path; beyond the wooden fish drum, he discovers a compassionate heart.

The setting sun leaves only the shadow of the ancient pagoda; startled doves wheel around the temple gate.

Looking back on a life spent chasing fame and fortune, the incense before the Buddha has gone cold, and even dreams are hard to warm.