The Jogye Order, the largest sect of Korean Buddhism, has just announced the launch of the Buddhist music group BTENS, pronounced “Beatens”. The group was established with the aim of promoting meditation and the precious teachings of the Buddha through contemporary music and performance, promising to bring a fresh and engaging approach to exploring Buddhist teachings.
Introducing the Buddhist music group BTENS
The Buddhist music group BTENS, consisting of 10 Buddhist monks (monks and nuns), inspired by the Ten Great Disciples of the Buddha according to the Bodhisattva Ideal tradition in Mahayana Buddhism, made its first public appearance at the 2024 Busan International Buddhist Exhibition, which opened on August 8. The BTENS group is led by Venerable Gusan, currently the Director of the Jogye Order Cultural Research Institute of Korean Buddhism, and includes Venerables Gwangwoo, Gogeum, Songsan, and Junhan. Each member brings a variety of talents, including playing traditional instruments such as the flute and gayageum (traditional Korean zither), along with Tai Chi skills, singing, and playing Buddhist drums.
During the performance at the Fair, the group performed songs such as “Look at Your Mind,” “Spring in My Hometown,” and “Song of Compassion” (rough translation). This is part of the Jogye Order’s popularization strategy to attract young audiences and make the Tathagata’s Dharma more accessible through modern and culturally appropriate means.
Buddhist New Music Group BTENS and its Mission to Spread the Buddha’s Teachings
Venerable Gusan, Director of the Jogye Order Cultural Research Institute of Korean Buddhism, explains the mission of the Buddhist new music group BTENS: “We aim to convey the precious meditation and teachings of the Buddha in an easy-to-understand and contemporary way through various genres of music” (Korea Biz Wire). BTENS aims to connect with young people in Korea and internationally through modern language and gestures, in order to convey the basic moral standards of Buddhism.
Following their debut at the Busan International Buddhist Exhibition, the group is scheduled to participate in many upcoming important events. On August 24-25, BTENS will stay at the Seon Meditation Temple Stay in Gongju, Chungcheong Nam Province, South Korea. In September, the group will participate in the International Zen Buddhist Conference at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, and in October, the group will participate in the Korean Traditional Culture Exchange event in New York, USA.
The birth of BTENS comes amid the rising popularity of New Jeans Nim, a comedian known for combining EDM and Buddhist chants. This combination has attracted the attention of young people in Korea, encouraging the Jogye Order to adopt similar strategies to promote the teachings.
The decision to launch BTENS is part of a larger effort by the Jogye Order to modernize the dissemination of Buddhist teachings such as compassion, wisdom, and freedom, in line with contemporary society. The group hopes to create a dynamic and engaging method to introduce Buddhist practices and ideas.
“We will go to every corner of Korea and internationally, reaching out to the younger generation through modern language and gestures, in order to make a strong impression,” emphasized Venerable Gusan. (Korea Biz Wire) He also shared about the importance of meditation in reducing stress, especially in the context of Korea having the highest suicide rate among OECD member countries: “We want to promote how meditation can help reduce stress, even if you are not a Buddhist” (AJU Press).
Korea and the Population Aging Trend: Buddhism’s Response and the Innovation of the Jogye Order
Korea is facing significant demographic changes, including a low birth rate and an aging population, leading to a decline in the youth population. This trend has directly affected religious activities, especially Buddhism, as more and more young generations are moving away from traditional religious activities. To meet this need, religious organizations, especially the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, are making efforts to sustain and rejuvenate the Buddhist community. They are adopting modern approaches that combine tradition and innovation to blend Buddhist philosophy with contemporary life. This creativity in approach not only attracts a youthful audience but also ensures the continuity of Buddhist tradition in the context of modern society.
Author: Justin Whitaker
Source: 佛門網有限公司
