Famous Chinese genius Liu Zhiyu may only be 35, but his breadth of experience far outstrips that of people much older.
Over an 18-year period the mathematics mastermind went to China’s most prestigious university, became a Buddhist monk then a psychologist and online influencer with 255,000 Douyin followers.
In addition, he is a husband dedicated to teaching people how to “be happy”.
In his latest autobiography, published in 2023, Liu wrote: “Mathematics led me towards Taoism. Taoism led me towards Buddhism. Buddhism led me towards psychology. They all led me towards the vast universe.”
Liu summarised his short but colourful existence in the following way: “At every turn of my life, I had to leave behind past glories, but I gained precious life experience.”
Liu was admitted to Peking University without taking exams, after he won a gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad in 2006.
A bright future awaited and when he decided to give up a full scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2010 and became a monk at Beijing’s Longquan Temple, people, including his parents, expressed disbelief.
More doubts emerged when Liu decided to leave the temple in 2018 and resumed a secular life in 2022. His back-and-forth decisions went against modern Chinese values which focus on stability and prosperity.
Liu said his life philosophy was deeply influenced by the ancient Taoist philosophy of Zhuang Zi, who believed that all life follows its own natural course and there is no good or evil.
He wrote that Taoism has guided him even when he was studying mathematics, letting him forget success or failure and focus on the process of solving problems.
Liu said he also has possessed the trait of sympathy.
This once pushed him to sacrifice his own needs to fulfil the expectations of other people, from his parents and school teachers to the temple’s abbot and seniors.
For three years while living as a monk, Liu dedicated 12 hours a day to the compilation of a classic Buddhist book series, and ran the Longquan Temple’s official social media accounts.
He said he was worn out by the work, and it made him realise his interest was in communication with people and their happiness.
Now, as the co-founder of a psychological counselling company, Liu offers services six hours a week. He used his own experience to serve people who were anxious about their studies and work.
Last year, Liu announced his marriage to the only woman he had ever dated. He said his wife taught him how to take care of himself.
