With his clean-cut, athletic looks and powerful kung fu moves, he quickly rose to fame, captivating fans who crowned him the “most handsome Shaolin monk”.
He became a modern poster boy for the traditional martial arts, thanks in part to the promotional efforts of the Culture and Tourism Department in Henan province.
His Douyin account amassed 1.8 million followers, and one video showing him reciting scriptures in the snow attracted 486,000 likes.
Another clip, which showcased his dynamic moves in a heavy downpour, received 266,000 likes.
Despite his popularity, Qiu remained humble.
“I am just an ordinary monk in the Shaolin Monks Group. The attention I’ve received is due to the unique charm of Shaolin kung fu,” he once said.
Shaolin kung fu was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006, and its global appeal has since grown, prompting the popular monk to become an international ambassador.
In April, Qiu performed the ancient philosophical martial art at Angkor Wat in Cambodia with his peers, and in August, he displayed his skills at the Sydney Opera House alongside the Chinese Buddhist Chanting Music Ensemble.
His last post on Xiaohongshu showed him practising his craft in Australia, which he shared just before the fatal accident.
The young monk was killed on August 7, China’s traditional start of “autumn day”, on the Zhejiang Zhuyong Expressway in east China’s Zhejiang province.
According to Elephant News, Qiu and the cab driver were the only people in the vehicle when it collided with a large lorry. The taxi driver died instantly, while Qiu lost his life the next evening.
Qiu’s sister, surnamed Xing, told Red Star News that his head “suffered multiple impacts”.
The police are investigating and Qiu’s family has hired a lawyer.
“He was a positive and motivated person, still very young, with an outgoing personality. He was always respectful to everyone,” a senior brother at Qiu’s temple said.
Internet users also expressed their disbelief and sorrow.
“When I heard the news, I was truly shocked. I kept checking to confirm it, and even now, I cannot get over it. It’s the first time I’ve felt so sad for someone I didn’t know personally,” one person said.
Another person wrote a poem for Qiu, expressing their sorrow, which culminated with the line, “ Every time the autumn wind blows, we will remember you.”
