“Listening and hearing”——Lu Xun's name from Chang Qing Temple

Lu Xun's name from Chang Qing Temple 

In Shaoxing, there was a custom of naming children to bodhisattvas or monks, seeking help from the power of God and Buddha to dispel diseases and exorcise evils. People believed that it could help the sound growth of children, and it contained the good wishes of elders for the health and safety of the young. When Lu Xun was still in his infancy, he was taken to Chang Qing Temple by his elders, worshiping the abbot Long Zu as a teacher, and being a disciple of Long Zu. Therefore, the story of Lu Xun and Chang Qing Temple became one of classical allusions of Shaoxing celebrities, which had been handed down for generations. 

In the old days, there were Guandi Temple and Baogong Temple in Shaoxing. The Yue people worshiped these two gods especially, and they often brought their children to seek for their blessing. They called Guan Gong Grandpa Guan, Bao Gong Grandpa Bao, and some people added Bodhisattva after Grandpa. After worshipping and praying, the children would change their family name to Guan or Bao. These children seemed to be members of the sacred two families, and they would be blessed with good luck.

 There were also many children, who were named monks. Because monks were priests, who would be protected by gods, would never be harmed by any spirits or monsters. The monk Long Zu gave Lu Xun a religious name Chang Gen, which meant longevity. He also gave two magic weapons to ward off evil spirits. One was a patchwork clothes made of olive-shaped small silk pieces, and the other was a rope with a small calendar, a mirror, a silver screen, etc., which was used to drive out evil spirits. It was said that it would keep off demons and ghosts. 

Because of such custom, many families sent their children to Guandi Temple and Baogong Temple, or to monks in the temple. And Lu Xun's family also believed in this custom, so that was how the story came about.