Buddhism has a long history in China. Amid the constant change in modern society, some young people are turning to Buddhism for comfort and peace. Here's the story of a young, foreign-educated man who made the unusual decision to become a monk. CGTN's Cui Hui'ao brings us this report.

At this temple, 70 kilometers outside Beijing, 29-year old Master Heng Ci chants twice a day. He spent seven years abroad, before turning to Buddhism.

HENG CI, MONK TIANKAI TEMPLE, BEIJING "I went to college in Sydney. I was doing volunteer work at an elderly care center and a center for adults with mental illnesses. Some of my clients passed away at very young ages which made me think that the world is full of uncertainty."

That experience led him to visit the Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere There he started to learn about Buddhism, and began to understand why some of his college friends were not so happy with their lives.

HENG CI, MONK TIANKAI TEMPLE, BEIJING "A lot of people get lost in five kinds of desires: wealth, fun, food, sleep, and sex. I used to be just like them. And Buddhism teaches me that all the phenomena are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble and a shadow. You should meditate upon them in order to reach a peaceful mind."

However, it was not easy getting others to understand his choice. As the only child of his family, Heng Ci says the most difficult part was convincing his parents.

HENG CI, MONK TIANKAI TEMPLE, BEIJING "At first my parents and relatives thought It was a joke. But finally they figured I'm serious about being a monk. Some relatives are more supportive than others. Like some still say 'why not just live a normal life, get married and have a baby."

But he is not dissuaded by those opinions, and made up his own mind. Like Heng Ci, about one fifth of the monks at the Tiankai temple in Beijing are in their late twenties. This is their daily routine. Starting the day at five am they meditate and chant for two hours. Then it's the usual gardening time — planting trees and watering flowers. What’s also changed is their diet — no more meat or seafood, but only vegetables. Heng Ci says what Buddhism has taught him is to live selflessly, always searching for the bigger picture.

HENG CI, MONK TIANKAI TEMPLE, BEIJING "People always care about those around them. But Buddhists bear compassion for all beings, living or dead, human or animal, their suffering and happiness."

CUI HUI'AO BEIJING "Master Heng Ci says his choice of Buddhism is not an escape from mundanity, but rather to take responsibility and serve society in a different way. Whatever it is as a young adult, he is going forward with his heart and walking his own path."

Master Heng Ci says while he has found his calling in Buddhism, he plans to stay in touch with the modern world, using the Internet and his smartphone, just like other young people. Cui Hui'ao, CGTN, Beijing.