9/7 (Sat.) When Buddha Meets DJ Monk and Monkey from Black Myth (Host: Stephen)

stephen185 · 文章由 **stephen185** » 週六 8月 31, 2024 6:55 pm

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of blending traditional Buddhist teachings with modern music and digital media platforms to reach younger audiences across Asia. Zen Buddhist monk Yakushiji Kanho(藥師寺寬邦) has gained international recognition for his fusing ancient sutras with contemporary music genres like hip-hop and electronic beats. His performances, which integrate spiritual messages with modern musical elements, aim to bring hope and inner peace to a broader audience. Yakushiji’s unique journey from aspiring musician to monk reflects his belief that music and Buddhism share a common goal of connecting with people on a deeper level.

Similarly, South Korean DJ NewJeansNim, Yoon Seong-ho(尹成浩), has made waves with his EDM performances that incorporate Buddhist messages. Adopting the persona of a monk, he seeks to modernize Buddhism’s image and appeal to the youth. However, his unconventional approach has sparked controversy, particularly in Malaysia, where his nightclub performances were criticized for disrespecting Buddhist traditions. Despite the backlash, NewJeansNim continues to promote his vision of a more accessible Buddhism through music, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that arise when ancient religious practices intersect with contemporary culture.

Both Yakushiji Kanho and Yoon Seong-ho exemplify the evolving relationship between religion and modernity in Asia. Their efforts to bridge the gap between traditional Buddhist teachings and the interests of younger generations reflect a broader movement within Buddhism to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. While their approaches differ, both figures underscore the potential of music as a powerful tool for spiritual outreach, capable of transcending cultural and generational boundaries.

Another example of merging cultural heritage with modern media is illustrated by "Black Myth: Wukong(黑神話：悟空)", China's most successful single-player video game to date. Its adaptation of the Ming dynasty epic "Journey to the West (西遊記)" has drawn many Western players into learning more about the Chinese culture, as "Black Myth: Wukong" can only be fully enjoyed if players are familiar with the plot of the 16th century classic. This novel narrates the pilgrimage of the Buddhist monk Tang Sanzang(唐三藏) to retrieve sacred Buddhist scriptures from India. The main character of the video game, Sun Wukong—a powerful, mischievous monkey with magical abilities who is tamed by the Buddha—becomes Tang's loyal protector through the journey.

Although supporters of this trend claim that it helps Buddhism remain relevant and effectively communicate its message, opponents worry that it could dilute the religion's depth and shift the focus from spiritual substance to entertainment, if not being guilty of disrespecting Buddhist practices. Will Buddha’s encounter with the DJ monk and the monkey from Black Myth lead to a chaotic shuraba (修羅場-しゅらば) or will it broaden the gateway for the mundane masses to transcend into a state of spiritual tranquility and enlightenment? Let’s explore it at our upcoming meeting.

Reference
1. "Japan's Zen music monk returns to Taiwan"(Taiwan News)[summary can be found here.]

2. "NewJeansNim Makes Buddhist Dance Music"(Time Magazine) [summary can be found here.]

3. "China goes ape over culture-boosting 'Black Myth: Wukong' video game" (Reuter)

Questions
Session I
1. What is your impression of monks? Where did your impression come from? Did you have any personal interactions with them?
2. Between DJ NewJeansNim and Yakushiji Kanho, which performance do you find more compelling, and why? What elements of their performances appeal to you the most? How do their approaches to blending spirituality with music impact your prior impression?
3. According to the news, why was DJ NewJeansNim's show banned in Malaysia? Compared to DJ NewJeansNim, Yakushiji Kanho seems to be well accepted by Buddhist society. In your opinion, is there any intrinsic discrepancy between their performances?
4. Do you think using popular music to spread Buddhist teachings might dilute the depth of the religion and shift the focus from spiritual depth to entertainment, or does it make these teachings more accessible and relatable to younger generations and diverse audiences?

Session II
5. The story of “Journey to the West” has gained significant interest among Western players, thanks to the popularity of the video game “Black Myth: Wukong.” Do you think it is feasible to gamify Buddhist teaching? Will it be more effective than blending it with modern music? How can we avoid the risk that the real meaning of Buddhist scriptures gets lost in translation?
6. Have you ever encountered religious groups handing out promotional materials in public areas? Have you ever taken any of those? Would you be open to the idea of sending visually appealing individuals to public spaces to distribute flyers and pamphlets on Buddhist teachings? What about deploying mascots of Wukong?
7. Chibi figures of Mazu (媽祖Q版公仔) typically depict Mazu in a cute, stylized manner with exaggerated features. These chibi figures are often used as collectible items or souvenirs, especially in regions where Mazu worship is prominent, such as Taiwan and Fujian. Do you think chibi figures of Mazu help draw people to Mazu temples and encourage them to learn more about the belief in Mazu?
8. Are you aware of any other innovative or creative methods being used to spread religious beliefs or promote traditional culture? If so, please share them with us.

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Agenda:
3:45 ~ 4:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
4:00 ~ 4:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
4:10 ~ 4:50pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
4:50 ~ 5:10pm Summarization (20 mins)
5:10 ~ 5:15pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 10 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
5:15 ~ 5:55pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
6:00 ~ 6:20pm Summarization (20 mins)
6:20 ~ 6:30pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements

Meeting Date: As shown on the Subject Line
Meeting Time: 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Meeting Venue: 丹堤咖啡 Dante Coffee (Minimum Order $85)
Address: 台北市濟南路三段25號[MAP]-捷運忠孝新生站3號出口步行3分鐘

Important Notes:
1. We advise participants to print out the discussion questions and bring them to the meeting for reference. As for the supporting articles, feel free to print them out, as well, according to your preference.
2. We suggest that participants read the articles and think about the questions in advance.
3. Newcomers should prepare a two-to-three minute self-introduction in English to deliver when called upon by the host before the start of the discussion. The host may also ask you to give brief feedback about the meeting at the conclusion of the meeting.
4. We conduct the entire meeting in English. All participants should have at least moderate English-conversation skills and be able to articulate your ideas for each discussion question.
5. We welcome newcomers and other guests to attend the meetings and join the discussion freely for two times. After that, we would like to encourage you to consider becoming a formal Club member. The lifetime membership fee is NT$1500 (NT$1000 for students.)