"Sister Lin," or Lin Daiyu, is the heroine of A Dream of Red Mansions, widely considered China's greatest novel.

But in this story, it was actress Chen Xiaoxu, known for her vivid portrayal of "Sister Lin," who shaved off her hair and became a nun on February 23.

Media reports said Chen had given up her huge fortune accumulated in the past two decades in her career in advertising.

Chen is 40.

Many Chinese people who love Chen are sad at the news that she has converted to Buddhism.

To many people in China, someone who is materially rich must be happy, therefore something must be wrong with someone who abandons material pleasure for spiritual pursuit.

Some speculate that Chen must have terminal breast cancer, prompting her conversion. But Chen's husband, also a convert, denied the speculation as total fabrication.

Such wild speculation reflects the unfortunate mindset of many Chinese people. They believe that conversion to religion indicates problems.

As I see it, religiosity, the inclination to see life in all its tragic limitations, has never been alien to the human race. It is reflected in aesthetic activities, and in morality, but it appears most completely manifested in religion.

Jobs and money afford material security, while consumerism, travel, collecting artwork or watching TV sitcoms can help kill the time. But for some people, these are not enough for a happy life.

When bias against spiritual enlightenment prevails in a society, religion is marginalized.

In my view, those who trust themselves to religion, as long as it is not an evil cult, have no problems at all, whether physical or mental. They are merely more sensitive than many other people.

Chen's own comments are revealing: "I'm not leaving home. Rather, I'm going home."

The beauty of a harmonious society lies in its understanding and accommodation of the diversity and sensitivity of individuals.

(CRIENGLISH.com March 2, 2007)