Korean Buddhism Makeover

[Jundo]

In some places in the world, Buddhism is your old, stodgy childhood religion ... and needs to be spiced up a bit.

How do you feel about such efforts and activities?
.

Frankly, I think they got the Buddhist Rave idea from us!

Gassho, J
stlah

[Junsho]

Sometimes is better to be blind than see such a thing. Even though her juzu is quite fashion.

Enough of internet for today.

Gassho and deep bows,
SarLah

[Houzan]

I think it’s great as long as we don’t loose anything else than cultural and historical wrappings. Nothing wrong with the traditional approach, nothing wrong with modernizing it, and nothing wrong with mixing it up

Gassho, Hōzan
satlah

[Hokuu]

Fully endorsing it! Keizan Zenji was doing basically the same - making Soto Zen popular. Making it popular today means modern marketing, Instagram ads, and whatnot, but in its spirit, it's not different from selling chants for the sick, dying, and dead.

gassho
satlah

[michaelw]

Shudder.

Gassho
MichaelW

satlah

[Shonin Risa Bear]

Having a predilection for old and slow, I've read a lot of centuries-old Korean Buddhist poetry.

Remembering the Day When I Shaved My Head

Twenty years ago, a boy who loved to study
Resolved to do something very singular.
When he realized that this body is but a delusion
That nothing in the universe is not empty.
Twenty years ago he was floating in the bitter sea of life,
Seeking the fame and wealth of the mundane world.
One night he listened closely to the words of Seon,
Next morning he gave his black hair to the silver knife.

-- Poems of Cheongheodang (1520–1604), tr. Roderick Whitfield, Young-Eui Park

Chacun a son gout

Edit to add: One can find enough to do for a lifetime in a few short phrases: be undesiring, be content, be tranquil, be practicing, be mindful, be meditative, be discerning, be steadfast.

gassho, satlah shonin

[Chiko]

The beat goes on! Ain't no stopping this Zen party...

Gassho, st/lah

[Taiji]

It's not my preference, but that doesn't mean much. I have lots of preferences that are at odds with prevailing trends. There may be a lot of folks who temporarily follow the trend, as folks will do in any circumstance, but some may stick around and actually engage with the Dharma, and some might eventually loop back around and engage with it after some time has passed.

I mean, for context, my first exposure to Buddhism was seeing it depicted in samurai movies when I was a teenager. I'm certain that was and is hideously cringey to some folks, but here I am, so it seems to have worked out okay in the end.

Gassho,

Taiji
Sat/LAH Today

[Seiko]

Making religion into entertainment? So people turn up for the entertainment and reject the practice? Sounds like a plan to convert temples into nightclubs.

Gasshō, Seiko, stlah

[Hōshin]

This is actually an indication that Buddhism is beginning to die in Korea. I don't know how effective it is to establish synaptic links between "dharma" and "fun."

Gassho
Hoshin
Satlah

[Hoshuku]

I'm generally skeptical of ecstasy. My preference is better reflected by this type of modern rendition, by Kissaquo based around the Hosso -shu monk from Nara. I've seen them prefrom live twice in concert venues, which is where I think this belongs. Look at the woman at about 2:15 - she's chanting with the performers and her reaction is moving.

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=8950cf81e29a85fb&rlz=1C5CHFA_enJP965JP967&sxsrf=ANbL-n71FQE5EED2vW5F4AbMx81XAJIDdw:1776387321276&q=kissaquo+heart+sutra&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgFuLWT9c3NDI2zzbNNlXiBXEM0w3M49OTcyq1BH1LizOTHYtKMotLQvKD8_PSF7GKZGcWFycWluYrZKQmFpUoFJeWFCUCAJd2C0VIAAAA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj7rZK61vOTAxX90TQHHYk5IAgQri56BAgoEAQ&biw=1920&bih=884&dpr=1#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:a61d461b,vid:958qchBNs60,st:0

Bows
Hoshuku
Satlah

[Mujin]

Same trend as in many Christian churches, dilute the religion to make it more marketable. Sad, really. Instead of raising the intellect and self discipline of the youth, this lowers the bar . The world doesn't have to be, and isnt always, entertaining. Not looking to stir a debate, just my 2 cents, 1 cent after taxes.

Gassho,
Mujin
SatTodayLAH