Chinese Monk Defends Gaming Hobby, Cites Similar Life Purpose with Religion

Venerable Huayan, a senior Chinese monk, has drawn attention for defending his video game hobby, stating that gaming and religion serve similar life purposes.

Thu Apr 30 2026

Senior Monk's Unusual Hobby Gains Online Attention

Venerable Huayan, a senior monk from Mingjiao Temple in Hefei, Anhui province, China, has garnered significant social media attention for his enthusiastic engagement in electronic games. A Buddhist monk for 20 years, Huayan started playing e-games in the early 2000s when he was a primary school pupil. According to Sina.com, his favorite game is Counter-Strike (CS), where he once achieved the very high rank of 'Legendary Eagle Master'.

Highlighting Similarities Between Gaming and Religion

Huayan has publicly defended his gaming hobby, asserting that video games and religion serve similar life purposes. This perspective challenges conventional views and has captured the interest of many. His statements suggest that gaming can hold meaning beyond mere entertainment and provoke discussions on the intersection of spiritual practice and leisure activities.

*Source: SCMP (2026-04-30)*

Tags: #China #Buddhism #VideoGames #Monk #Culture