South Korea's Buddhist monks turn to pop music to spread Buddhism

Four musicians in gray Buddhist robes in a white room playing — From mk.co.kr

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism has announced the launch of BTENS (pronounced “Beatens”), a new Buddhist musical group aimed at promoting Seon (Zen) meditation and Buddhist teachings through contemporary music and performance. The group is made up of 10 Buddhist monks and nuns and was inspired by the 10 great disciples of the Buddha according to the Mahayana tradition. They made their first public appearance at the 2024 Busan International Buddhist Expo, which opened on August 8.

BTENS members include the group's leader, Venerable Gusan, who is also director of the Jogye Order's Department of Buddhist Texts and Research, as well as Venerables Gwangwoo, Gogeum, Songsan, and Junhan, who each bring their various talents. Members are skilled in various disciplines, including playing traditional instruments such as the flute and gayageum (a traditional Korean zither), as well as Tai ChiBuddhist chanting and percussion.

The group's repertoire of performances for the exhibition includes the songs "Look at Your Mind", "Spring in My Hometown" and "Song of Compassion" (unofficial translations). These performances are part of a broader strategy by the Jogye Order to engage younger audiences and make Buddhist teachings more accessible through modern, culturally relevant media.

Venerable Gusan explained the group's mission: “Our goal is to convey Seon meditation to the public in a simple and trendy way through different genres. » (Korea Biz Wire) He emphasized that BTENS aims to connect with young people in Korea and abroad by using contemporary language and gestures to communicate Buddhist principles.

After its debut at the Busan International Buddhist Exhibition, BTENS is expected to participate in several other events, including a stay at the Seon Meditation Temple at the Gongju Korean Culture Training Institute on August 24-25, the International Conference on Seon meditation at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul in September and an encounter with traditional Korean culture in New York in October.

The introduction of BTENS follows the growing popularity of New Jeans Nim, a comedian known for his blend of electronic music and Buddhist chants. This fusion resonated with young Korean audiences, prompting the Jogye Order to explore similar strategies for addressing audiences.

Six Buddhist monks hold lotus flowers in one hand and their other hand raised into a fist with smiles in a white room — From mk.co.kr

The Jogye Order's decision to launch BTENS is part of a broader effort to modernize the presentation of Buddhist teachings and make them more relevant to contemporary society. By combining traditional Buddhist practices with modern performing art, the Jogye Order hopes to create a dynamic and engaging way to disseminate Buddhist practices and ideas.

Upcoming BTENS performances and activities will be closely monitored, as they seek to bridge the gap between ancient traditions and modern culture, making Buddhist teachings more accessible to new generations. Venerable Gusan noted: “We will visit every corner of Korea and abroad, where young people have concerns, communicating through contemporary language and gestures, creating a lively discourse. » (Korea Biz Wire)

“Korea has the highest suicide rate in the OECD. We asked ourselves what we could do about it as believers,” Venerable Gusan explained. “Even if you're not a Buddhist, you can relieve stress through meditation. This is what we want to promote. » (AJU Press)

South Korea is experiencing significant demographic changes, with a low birth rate and an aging population contributing to a shrinking youth population. This trend has had a direct impact on religious affiliation, with Buddhism facing a decline in the number of followers as younger generations move further away from traditional religious practices. In response, Buddhist groups such as the Jogye Order are actively working to maintain and rejuvenate their following by adopting modern approaches, such as blending contemporary culture and Buddhist teachings, to attract younger audiences and ensure the continuity of their traditions.

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South Korean Buddhist order launches 'K-Pop monks' to attract younger generation (The Korea Bizwire)
Monks debut as K-pop group to spread Buddhism (AJU Press)
10 members promote “Beatens”. a Buddhist monk… (Maeil Business Journal)

South Korea's Buddhist monks turn to pop music to spread Buddhism

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