History of Hangzhou
Li Shutong (1880-1942), also called Hongyi Great Master, was born in Tianjin to a banking family originated in Hongdong County, Shanxi, that immigrated to Tianjin in Ming Dynasty though her mother was from Pinghu, Zhejiang province. At one side he was both a forerunner of the New culture Movement (around the time of the May 4th Movement is 1919) and at the other side he was a Chinese artist and art teacher in his ages. What’s more, he also went by Wen Tao, Guang Hou, and Shu Tong, but was most commonly known as Buddhist Master Hong Yi. In one word, he was a master painter, musician, dramatist, calligrapher, seal cutter, poet, and Buddhist monk. In 1916, Li Shutong underwent a 17-day fast at a Hangzhou temple and experienced the benefit of a spiritual life. He took refuge in the Three Jewels of Buddhism in the following year. Then, by choosing to be ordained as a monk, Li began a new chapter in his life and thus began a holistic life dedicated to propagating Buddhism and its code of conduct. After becoming a monk he practiced and developed his calligraphy to a simple and unadorned, yet unique style, which everyone who received a sample of treasured. He became known to all as Master Hong Yi. In 1942, Master Hong Yi died peacefully at the age of 63 in Quanzhou, Fujian Province.
