Buddhism for children/teens

[Kokuu]

Gee, we need some Buddhist video games! Films and animations

There was a Buddhist temple in Second Life. I don't know if that still exists. My last teacher gave a talk there in Avatar form. Not entirely sure how it works as I couldn't work out how to find the temple!

It sounds like you are doing just great, Kristin! My 12 year old is the only one of my children interested in Buddhism and she gets most of her information from trips to a Theravada monastery with her mother. There does seem to be a gap for the teen market, though. Lots of good beginners books for younger children and adults but less for teens.

Hardcore Zen may well be one of the best things as Brad does speak in American vernacular and his punk rock ethos would probably appeal to a teen far more than something dry.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Jundo]

There was a Buddhist temple in Second Life. I don't know if that still exists. My last teacher gave a talk there in Avatar form. Not entirely sure how it works as I couldn't work out how to find the temple!

I did that too! This is me (believe it or not). Under all those robes, they gave me SIX-PACK ABS!



It was interesting, sitting with various animal headed people, winged sprites and such. Like the Lotus Sutra or something. I don't remember the name, but there are several such groups there. I gave a talk, of course, on "second life, first life and not-one-not-two life."

Gassho, J

SatTodayLAH


second life jundo.jpg

[Kokuu]

That does sound amazing, actually, and not a million miles from what we do at Treeleaf (although mostly we don't have flying beings show up too much).

One thing I like about virtual worlds like Second Life is that people can create an appearance that fits in with how they feel rather than their actual real-life physical self. I heard a radio programme on how this could be incredibly freeing for disabled people, transgender folk and anyone with serious body issues. Being able to add-on a six pack without going to the gym is a bonus too!

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Ryushi]

I picked this up on a lark at the used book store - The Dharma of Star Wars. As a huge Star Wars fan, I've always been interested in the movies' religious influences. I read the first couple of chapters, but since it is introducing Buddhist concepts on a somewhat elementary level, I felt my time better spent going back to some of my "grown up" books. But if your kids are into the movies, this may be an point of entry that would appeal to them.

[Sekiyuu]

Seconding Hardcore Zen! It is hard for me to imagine what it would be like to actually grow up in a Buddhist household. To me, Buddhism is fundamentally about rebellion and opposing tradition and authority. My upbringing was Christian in a nearly theocratic part of the US, so my interest in atheism and later Buddhism was very subversive and a little risky. Brad's (earlier) writing comes from a similar standpoint, where Buddhism is an antidote for religion and ritual, which may or may not be exactly what you'd be looking for. If they are interested in chanting, statues, and listening to what Mom says, it might actually not be the best material, but then again everyone interprets any given book differently.

I'm very interested in the idea of Buddhist videogames, there are certainly a ton out there with Buddhist symbolism but it's usually in the form of warrior monks and statues and not much in the way of actual teachings. It's tough to wrap my head around how to impart lessons about directly experiencing reality in an unreal, virtual world.

Gassho,
Kenny
Sat Today

[Ernstguitar]

Hi,

Gee, we need some Buddhist video games! Films and animations.

In fact, I know one animation that is lovely and pretty funny too, and linked on our "Suggested Book & Media List" ...

There are dozens of these short "Zen Speaks" cartoons with a Chan flavor. Here is the first video a compilation in a set of 11 videos. You need to turn on the English subtitles (small tab at the bottom of the screen)

I want to comment it, becourse I got a few new clients in psychotherapy, and they are pretty young (16 to 22).
What they promised me is, that they do not like this childish, ever young and simple information. "It is a spiral down. More easy, more funny, less true information. Just like my parents"
That is why they come to me and they like to work with me. The very serios and clear methodology.
I would suggest more the Dogen-Film, or Sawaki. It is a clear message what that all is about.

but just my 2 counts.....

Gassho
Ernst
Sat today

[cosmiceye]

Seconding Hardcore Zen! It is hard for me to imagine what it would be like to actually grow up in a Buddhist household. To me, Buddhism is fundamentally about rebellion and opposing tradition and authority......If they are interested in chanting, statues, and listening to what Mom says, it might actually not be the best material, but then again everyone interprets any given book differently.

Gassho,
Kenny
Sat Today

lol! They actually do listen to what I have to say (for the most part...they are teens though!!). They consider me to be someone that "opposes tradition", though I am also very old fashioned in a lot of ways. They were born (literally..home birth in the apartment we lived in above the shop) & raised in a Metaphysical shop I owned for 8 years. I nursed them all, (even my eldest that was born in 1986 when it was still taboo), I have been a vegetarian since I was 16 (the 14yo choose to become one when she was 12 & still is), we keep dream journals together...etc. They actually tell me all the time how "cool" I am! lol! I guess I am lucky! I'm hoping that it continues as they go through the really "hard' teens years!

Thank-you for seconding the Hardcore Zen book, I will definitely have a look at it!

Gassho,
Kristin
sat2day

[Ryushi]

I'm very interested in the idea of Buddhist videogames, there are certainly a ton out there with Buddhist symbolism but it's usually in the form of warrior monks and statues and not much in the way of actual teachings. It's tough to wrap my head around how to impart lessons about directly experiencing reality in an unreal, virtual world.

This article focuses on some Theravada monks, but may be of interest regarding the topic: In Thailand, Buddhist Monks Grapple with the Meaning of Video Games

Sat today. Gassho.

[Jundo]

This article focuses on some Theravada monks, but may be of interest regarding the topic: In Thailand, Buddhist Monks Grapple with the Meaning of Video Games

Sat today. Gassho.

A very interesting article, and very balanced and nuanced responses from the young Theravada monks.

All things in moderation.

I do have some concerns about the violence in some of the games (we need to bring the Precepts to "Grand Theft Auto"!). However, the article seems to say that, for folks who believe in literal after-death rebirth and the workings of Karma, the effects are none to limited if one knows that the characters are not real sentient beings. Hmmm. As many around here know, I am not focused or very interested in some future lives or mechanical images of Karma, but I still wonder if all the violence in games is a good thing in this life and world. Better than real violence, of course.

Maybe I can get my teenage son to cut back if he thought he would come back as a Zombie.

By the way, ideas for Zen Games:

- Nothing happens, thus everything happens.

- One just sits there.

- The score is always "not one not two"

Gassho, J

SatTodayLAH

[Ryushi]

By the way, ideas for Zen Games:

- Nothing happens, thus everything happens.

You jogged my memory. There is a game like this! Travel Frog

https://thenextweb.com/distract/2018/05/12/this-tiny-buddhist-frog-is-haunting-me/

In this game, I’m responsible for the life and happiness of a tiny frog. Based on Buddhist philosophical ideas about control and letting go, the frog comes and goes as it pleases. The player has no control over when it visits or how long it stays.

I tried playing it, but everything is written in Japanese, so I was unable to get very far.

[KellyRok]

Hi Kristin and all,

Thank you for starting this thread and asking these questions! I have been trying to help my two navigate teenage hormones and difficulties with a Buddhist flare, but it is hard to find resources that kids will respond to. I have two teenage sons, ages 15 and 17. They were both introduced to Buddhism at a young age, out of their own curiosity. We read Buddha at Bedtime every night and talked about the stories and lessons it contained. We would meditate together a few times a week and they each had guided meditations to help them sleep if they wanted them.

But now they are teens, they don't sit at all anymore. They are more interested in watching things on YouTube and Netflix, and playing Xbox. I always hoped someone would come up with a YouTube/Netflix series - a show about a Buddhist family dealing with today's issues . We may have to wait a long time for that.


But I can tell you that I have one of the books that Todd mentioned, "Wide Awake-A Buddhist Guide for Teens" by Diana Winston. It does a pretty decent job of introducing Buddhist concepts (the four noble truths, the eightfold path, etc.). It is broken up into 5 parts: 1.introducing Buddhism, 2.learning how to meditate, 3. showing loving-kindness (first to ourselves...), 4. how to live our lives (the precepts), and then 5. how to take Buddhism out into the world (finding a community of other Buddhists, engaging in helping others, finding the right type of work/career that fits us and adheres to, the precepts). At the end of each chapter, it will give questions to reflect on, or small activities to do to reinforce the concepts. Personally, I like this book...but that is from a parent's perspective. I don't think many teens would take the time to read this book.

My younger son is still interested in Buddhism and used to love reading...but he hasn't picked up the book. I've read most of it and we have talked about what is in the book. I just wish he would take a more 'active' role in reading it and learning on his own. But maybe he will come to that eventually at his own pace. My oldest is ready to go to college and begin living his own life (even though he still has his last year of high school to complete). He is very self-centered right now and can't be bothered with any form of spiritual or "moral" paths to living. I'm working on finding him some forms of community service to help remedy that attitude.

I love the idea of an interactive way for teens to learn about Buddhism or a show. Anything that comes across as theory or learning about history is a turnoff to my two. If there was a way to incorporate Buddhist themes into a video game or a fictional series whether in book or video, I think it would be more well-received by teens today.

I look forward to what others have to say and possibly come up with some ideas of our own.

Gassho,
Kelly/Jinmei
sattoday

[Jakuden]

Hi Kristin and all,

Thank you for starting this thread and asking these questions! I have been trying to help my two navigate teenage hormones and difficulties with a Buddhist flare, but it is hard to find resources that kids will respond to. I have two teenage sons, ages 15 and 17. They were both introduced to Buddhism at a young age, out of their own curiosity. We read Buddha at Bedtime every night and talked about the stories and lessons it contained. We would meditate together a few times a week and they each had guided meditations to help them sleep if they wanted them.

But now they are teens, they don't sit at all anymore. They are more interested in watching things on YouTube and Netflix, and playing Xbox. I always hoped someone would come up with a YouTube/Netflix series - a show about a Buddhist family dealing with today's issues . We may have to wait a long time for that.


But I can tell you that I have one of the books that Todd mentioned, "Wide Awake-A Buddhist Guide for Teens" by Diana Winston. It does a pretty decent job of introducing Buddhist concepts (the four noble truths, the eightfold path, etc.). It is broken up into 5 parts: 1.introducing Buddhism, 2.learning how to meditate, 3. showing loving-kindness (first to ourselves...), 4. how to live our lives (the precepts), and then 5. how to take Buddhism out into the world (finding a community of other Buddhists, engaging in helping others, finding the right type of work/career that fits us and adheres to, the precepts). At the end of each chapter, it will give questions to reflect on, or small activities to do to reinforce the concepts. Personally, I like this book...but that is from a parent's perspective. I don't think many teens would take the time to read this book.

My younger son is still interested in Buddhism and used to love reading...but he hasn't picked up the book. I've read most of it and we have talked about what is in the book. I just wish he would take a more 'active' role in reading it and learning on his own. But maybe he will come to that eventually at his own pace. My oldest is ready to go to college and begin living his own life (even though he still has his last year of high school to complete). He is very self-centered right now and can't be bothered with any form of spiritual or "moral" paths to living. I'm working on finding him some forms of community service to help remedy that attitude.

I love the idea of an interactive way for teens to learn about Buddhism or a show. Anything that comes across as theory or learning about history is a turnoff to my two. If there was a way to incorporate Buddhist themes into a video game or a fictional series whether in book or video, I think it would be more well-received by teens today.

I look forward to what others have to say and possibly come up with some ideas of our own.

Gassho,
Kelly/Jinmei
sattoday

The tough thing is at this age, almost anything introduced by a parent can be discarded just because of that! In a funny way it does stick a bit and then the seed is planted in case they want to water it later.

It’s so hard to watch them suffer and have the “antidote“ but know it will be rejected, because the voices of friends, youtubers and Netflix drama series are louder to them right now. But unless they really experience the suffering surrounding self-centered living, perhaps they couldn’t ever realize what Buddhism is all about.

Of course some teens may figure this out early and have an interest in Buddhism that transcends the usual diversions, but I doubt that as parents we can force that to happen.

Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH


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[Sekiyuu]

For some reason I completely forgot about the Buddha manga by Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astro Boy and kinda the "grandfather" of manga itself:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/67448-buddha

I haven't read it myself, but it's pretty highly regarded, so I'll get around to it someday!

_/\_
Kenny
Sat Today