Buddhist leaders use technology to reach masses

[Ensapa]

Here's a nice article on technology and Buddhism

Buddhist leaders use technology to reach masses
Yonhap News, April 29, 2013
Seoul, South Korea -- Yes, South Korea is the most wired country in the world, but the preconceived stereotypes of Buddhist monks living in ascetic, rustic conditions nevertheless do not blend well with smartphones.
<< “Hello Dharma School,” a mobile application developed in 2010, reaches out to the English-speaking masses with stories of the life and teachings of Buddha. (Courtesy of Matthew Crawford)

Yet monks are chatting and texting, and spreading Buddhist teachings, on cell phones everywhere from Dongguk University in the heart of Seoul to the sandy courtyards of mountain hermitages.

“This is not an age of happiness but an age of exhaustion and difficulty. But a single text message can give you strength,” explains Venerable Song-mook, the director of the Jogye Order of Buddhism’s Office of Missionary Affairs.


 What is more surprising than the mere use of this technology is how the Jogye Order ? by far the largest Buddhist order in Korea ? has been developing cutting-edge smartphone apps to spread the message of Buddhism.
After serving aromatic cups of tea to inquisitive visitors wanting to know about monks and their use of smartphones, Ven. Song-mook pulls out his own phone from somewhere in the loose folds of his traditional gray robe. It looks like an Android.

“The fact is that children, young people and even adults are reading books less and less often these days,” he says in a calm, measured tone. “On the subway, on the bus and on the street, people are using smartphones to access information about subjects they are interested in. So we thought that perhaps we could use these devices as a way of reaching out to them.”

Starting with the “Hello Dharma School” application in 2010, the Jogye Order’s Office of Missionary Affairs has developed eight apps and is working on several more. “Hello Dharma School” is a storybook-style app that introduces the life and teachings of the Buddha in English. Another app named “Mind Mirror 108,” which includes versions for children and young adults, is designed to teach actual Buddhist practice.

“The idea is to get rid of the idle thoughts that distract us and to realize that we are the Buddha, and also to help us cultivate compassion,” Ven. Song-mook explains. Overt religious overtones were left out of this app, which was developed in response to youth issues like school violence, depression and suicide.

Some of the other apps, such as a recording of the Heart Sutra, were made for practicing adults. The next time you hear the sound of a wood block and the chanting of a monk, it could very well be coming from the nearest smartphone.

When asked how smartphone technology can serve as an aid to spiritual practice, Ven. Song-Mook answers without hesitation:

“Whenever you’re going somewhere and you have some extra time, you could open up an app and read some of the Buddha’s teachings.” He adds that people studying Buddhist scripture can now look up difficult phrases with a few taps of their finger.

Among the Korean Buddhists embracing new technology, the most enthusiastic and successful has been the monk Hyemin. Currently residing in the U.S., Ven. Hyemin has well over 500,000 followers on his Twitter account @haeminsunim but has begun a period of electronic silence from April 1.

Ven. Song-mook believes that pursuing missionary work through social media like Ven. Hyemin has done is the wave of the future for Korean Buddhism. He sees this as the way to prepare for the “age without books” that is almost upon us.

“But would a monk sitting on a mountain somewhere meditating really know anything about smartphones?” he asks thoughtfully. In the bright office interior, decorated with thriving green plants, the only picture on the wall is of a snowy peak in Nepal.

Over 100 kilometers from Seoul at the base of Gyeryong Mountain stands the ancient Donghak Temple, one of over 1,000 associated with the Jogye Order. Here a nun named Myung-oh explains the functions of the temple’s own app, sitting at a desk next to a CCTV screen showing footage of visitors doing prostrations in the prayer halls.

In charge of supervising second year students at the temple’s school for Buddhist nuns, Ven. Myung-oh switched over to a smartphone only a year and a half ago. She shows her phone before admitting that she actually doesn’t like gadgets.

“All I need is to be able to make phone calls and send text messages,” she concedes, “so I chose an old-fashioned smartphone from the ones that were available. I don’t really make use of my smartphone that much.”

Speaking in a mix of Korean with a southeastern accent and polished English phrases, Ven. Myung-oh makes it clear that at Donghak Temple, the smartphone is a necessity for the nuns in positions of responsibility but a forbidden item for the novices:

“They get in the way of the very practice of religion,” she explains. “When the phone rings, you have to answer it, and you have to pay attention to it. Here at this monastic school, the teachers are nuns, and the students are nuns, too. They have left their home and family. They need to quit their secular life.”

Of course, when it comes to serious Zen meditation, the use of smartphones and their apps starts to seem absurd. Ven. Song-mook had mentioned that sometimes when deeply engrossed in his studies he turns off his smartphone for days at a time. And Ven. Myung-oh tells us that she finds it a relief when her phone goes out of service for a few days.

In the cool, shady interior of the temple office, Ven. Myung-oh’s calm explanation slowly begins to unpuzzle the relationship between technology and Buddhism. Ven. Song-mook wraps it up well.

“You have to let go of everything, embrace mindlessness and learn the way of emptiness. Could a smartphone really be necessary for learning this great truth?” he asks. “And of course, it’s not necessary. However, before we reach enlightenment, we are still humans, and (a smartphone) can help us learn a little more.”

[bambi]

I like this! Such a modern approach and of course they are not the first to use this method but it is always refreshing to see how people are finding ways to promote Buddhism. Especially when most of the people today are using smart phones. Not only that, every where you turn, people are just staring and spending most of the time on the phone. I use my Facebook, tweeter and tumblr to share some thoughts of Buddhism and quotes too. Its 'free' too!

[sonamdhargey]

Well we have to go with the times. Even religions have to go with the times to reach out to the masses instead of remaining behind and unable to spread the teachings of religions. Buddhism maybe a few thousands years old, but the core teachings of Buddhism has taught people not to be stuck in one mindset and instead to search for the truth.

[RedLantern]

There is no conflict whatsoever between science and religion in

[RedLantern]

Buddhism.It isn't just technology,it is Buddhist embrace of Science as a component of "wisdom".Buddhism has largely been transmitted orally throughout it's history.Texts do exists as an aid to memorizing them and important for accurate understanding.
Monks are expected to know key material thoroughly in both letter and spirit.Having said that,having a Guru
pass down realizations to his/her students,meeting face to face is how the lineage of Buddhists from the time of the historical Buddha to the [resent day was/is preserved.Autentic transmission of Dharmain India,Tibet and surrounding Buddhist countries occured through oral transmission.

[dondrup]

Internet Social Media has become a trend nowadays. More and more are using internet social media to communicate. It is a necessity if not the norm to get on the Social Media. Not wanting to be left out, many religious organisations and spiritual leaders are already using this medium to bring the teachings of Buddha to the masses especially to the techno-savvy young generation.  Internet has become a convenient platform to share the teachings of Buddha.  It is also one of the quickest ways to access or to disseminate the teachings of Buddha. South Korea being a developed country is no stranger to using technology for the betterment of human living condition.  It is rejoicing to know the Korean Buddhists are making full use of this technology to spread the Dharma.

[kris]

Wow! I so agree with the methods here! It just makes so much sense.. 20-30 years ago, when people commute (on bus or train), most of the people were reading. Then people started turning to music, and now most people are using smartphones whenever they are commuting, "free" or waiting for somebody. Because of the capability of smartphone, people can listen to music, play games, read E-Book, look for subjects on the net, and so much more.

With apps related on Buddhism, it will definitely give another venue for the people who are already using smartphone to learn about Buddhism. In my opinion, any form of apps would be good, be it game, E-Book, music, or "do-it-yourself-guide", etc. I wish there are more Buddhism apps for this era.

Also, I also fully agree that for lay people who wants to do serious practice, social media can be a distraction therefore it should be kept out of reach Of course, this restriction should not be applied to enlightened masters...

[Midakpa]

In this day and age, technology is a useful tool for Buddhist teachers to reach out to others. All religions use technology. In the old days, it was the radio. Now, with the computer and social media, it's more effective. The cell phone has its advantages. Buddhist messages and teachings can reach millions and you never know who you might be helping to overcome difficult times. I'm definitely in favour of using technology to spread  Buddhism but for those who need to meditate it will be a great distraction and therefore should be avoided at least during the period of meditation and during retreats.

[brian]

Time passes by and so does the mode of teachings. Technology tools are needed nowadays to reach out to people far and wide. For example using youtubes and twitters to make teachings available for everybody living in all corners of the world. Technologies tools of today are reliable and easy to be used. Especially when you are talking about the ability to make available to the mass appeal. Foe instance, take this forum site as an example.

[pgdharma]

Social media is the trend nowadays and most young people spend their time on facebook, twitter, tumblr or surfing the net for the latest updates using their smart phones.  What is happening now is that we have new tools and more sophisticated ways to spread the Dharma and this approach is good as it can reach out to the mass.

[Manjushri]

Whatever means that will bring the teachings of Buddha to others, should be used to reach out. In this day and age where technology is fast progressing and the use of smart phones has increased, the means to connect with people has to move with them too.

The traditional ways that was used to deliver Buddhist teachings cannot be implemented or rather is not as effective in today's society as it was 10-20 years ago so methods have to evolve and change. In addition, there is more chance of reaching the masses now through the use of internet, smart phones, etc. than traditional medias of books, tv and radio.

I'm glad that Buddhist leaders do not allow anything to stop them from propagating the Dharma. Even if they are not used to using technology to reach out, they are willing to learn, because it's not about themselves but more of how to benefit others... so whatever means it is, i am glad Buddhist leaders are progressing with time in this degenerate age where Dharma is so badly needed now.

[fruven]

The Buddha taught us how to benefit others in many ways with example. Just because during that period there is no such thing as a mobile device doesn't mean we shouldn't use it to benefit others at our times. In this degenerate people pay more attention to a mobile app then to a real person, therefore spreading the Buddha Dharma teachings is a method to help sentient beings which is us.

However we also need to be aware of the certain things like how the mobile device is built. As some of us may know that mobile devices are built massively in China and developing countries where there is little human rights protection. There are news reported that workers are put into long hours to built this shiny gadgets in the interest of manufacturers to earn profit. If other workers from developed countries where to work in such conditions there would be strikes and unions. Of course they are paid but the issue is workers' health and safety are in questions because the conditions of the factory and environment and health and safety policy.

Think about it if we always change our gadgets, wanting the latest and greatest. Of course you could argue that the manufacturer provides jobs and thus for the workers to make a living. The issue is while some of us can pursue Dharma comfortable others don't have the chance. They are stucked in their work and living conditions. Think about them...

[rossoneri]

This is good news, everything in this world should move ahead and adapt the new idea which will be benefit us. And religion is no different, Buddhists leaders and teachers should make us of this, if may i say internet is one of the greatest invention of world. Internet allow all of us sharing information almost anytime and anywhere in the world. Why should Buddhism be left out? Using this platform if it is done properly can attract the youngster which hooked and depend so much on their gadgets.

[vajrastorm]

In this age of technology, the Sangha and Buddhist teachers everywhere have no choice but to turn to mass technology to disseminate the Buddhadharma and reach out to the masses.

Today, the impact of social media, via smart phones and the internet, has rendered published and printed reading material as inconsequential and insignificant. People everywhere keep apace with their own Buddhist organization via the smart phone and email. This is especially so when the organization has taken on global proportions. 

Even Dharma courses are conducted online. Online Dharma schools are gaining in popularity.

Yet dependence on communication technology ,like the smart phone, can, at times, prove to be in the way, especially when it comes to going on a meditation retreat. Nonetheless, the pros of using mass communication technology to support the spread of Buddhism outweighs the cons.
   

[Rihanna]

In this era of degeneration, it is imperative to be using technologies to reach out to the mass public for the purpose of spreading the doctrine of Lord Buddha. Moreover, the use of technology in this era is faster and stronger compared to the mode of teaching back in those days especially Lord Buddha’s time. I feel it is not just technologies but the teaching ingredients such as terms and examples must be relevant to today’s world so as to able to relate better to the younger and modern generation these days. Things evolve and change over time for the better and so does the mode of teachings so as long as the essence of Lord Buddha’s teachings are not being misinterpreted.