VOA文化艺术2024--Young South Koreans Drawn to Buddhism via Social Media

Religious beliefs in South Korea have been decreasing for years. In 2021, just 22 percent of South Koreans between the ages of 20 and 29 identified as religious. In 2004, that number was 45 percent. Those numbers are from the Washington, D.C.-based data organization Gallup.

But that might be changing. Social media is fueling an increased interest in Buddhism¹ among young people.

Music creator Youn Sung Ho is one reason for this increase. Youn said he has received support from younger generations for his Buddhist² monk³ character. He calls the character NewJeansNim.

Youn said he created the character last year when he was performing at a ceremony to celebrate Buddha's birthday.

He wore a hanbok, the traditional Korean clothing that looks like monk's robe⁴. He said a video of the performance got millions of views on social media. "That's when I thought, 'Oh, I need to make a character quickly,'" he said.

He carefully built his character while seeking support from Buddhist leaders in South Korea. His goal was to balance popular culture with Buddhist teachings⁵.

NewJeansNim is a combination⁶ of Sunim, a Korean title for Buddhist monks⁷, and NewJean, a name that a senior monk gave to Youn.

Youn's music-creating character has appealed to many young South Korean adults. And the character has increased young Koreans' interest in Buddhism.

Kwon Dohyun is a university student. He attended the ceremony and said he was happy to see NewJeansNim perform. Kwon told The Associated Press "Isn't the hairstyle really hip⁸?" He added that his interest in Buddhism also came from the inclusivity and openness of the religion.

Youn said he believes his attempts to break traditional attitudes towards Buddhism has gained support among South Koreans. He said that when most people think of Buddhism, they think of things like sitting still, quiet temples in the mountains and the sound of wind chimes.

"People think these are Buddhism, but what I am doing now is the opposite," he said.

Venerable Beomjeong is another Buddhist who has been gaining young followers⁹ on social media. He is also known as Kkotsnim, which means "flower monk" in Korean. He is active on Instagram, where he communicates with both Buddhists¹⁰ and non-believers.

Beomjeon often shares photos of himself with descriptions including Buddhist teachings and his thoughts.

"People think monks are supposed to be noble, they are supposed to be in the mountains, they are supposed to be purer than anyone else," he said. He added that he hopes to change the ideas around monks and Buddhism in South Korea through social media.

He said he receives many messages asking him simple questions about Buddhism. They include: Are monks not supposed to eat meat? Are monks able to get married? He has also been asked: "Will you marry me?"

Beomjeong said he aims for his answers to be clear but carefully worded. He said, "I tell it like it is."

Beomjeong and NewJeansNim both say their efforts to bring in younger generations to Buddhism have left them open to criticism¹¹.

Beomjeong said Korean Buddhist monks had the opinion that a monk should not be sharing images of himself and using Instagram.

But Youn said such criticisms¹² come from people who resist change. And he added that the younger generations "who want and like new things are so welcoming and love it."

Beomjeong said he is happy to be considered an influencer if it means sharing messages about Buddhism with the public.

Beomjeong said, "I don't know what it means to be an influencer, but if I can get many people to see and hear what I say, I want to be an influencer."

Words in This Story

monk - n. a member of a religious community of men who usually promise to remain poor, unmarried, and separated from the rest of society

character - n. a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show

robe - n. a long, loose piece of clothing that is worn on top of other clothes to show that someone has a high rank or an important job

hip - adj. very popular or fashionable

temple - n. a building for worship¹³

chimes - n. a device¹⁴ that produces a sound like the sound made by a set of bells

noble - adj. having, showing, or coming from personal qualities that people admire (such as honesty, generosity, or courage)

1 Buddhism   

n.佛教（教义）

参考例句：

• Buddhism was introduced into China about 67 AD.佛教是在公元67年左右传入中国的。
• Many people willingly converted to Buddhism.很多人情愿皈依佛教。

2 Buddhist   

adj./n.佛教的，佛教徒

参考例句：

• The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。
• In the eye of the Buddhist,every worldly affair is vain.在佛教徒的眼里，人世上一切事情都是空的。

3 monk   

n.和尚，僧侣，修道士

参考例句：

• The man was a monk from Emei Mountain.那人是峨眉山下来的和尚。
• Buddhist monk sat with folded palms.和尚合掌打坐。

4 robe   

n.长袍，长衣，浴衣

参考例句：

• She was sitting at her mirror in a robe.她穿着长裙坐在镜子前。
• She put her robe on the chair.她把睡袍搭在椅子上。

5 teachings   

n.教学( teaching的名词复数 )；教学工作；教诲；学说

参考例句：

• We must never be unworthy of our teachers' untiring and sincere teachings. 我们决不要辜负老师的谆谆教导。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The Party's teachings were ringing in her ears. 党的教导在她耳边回响。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 combination   

n.组合，合并，联合；

参考例句：

• He carried on the business in combination with his friends.他与朋友们合伙做生意。
• The materials can be used singly or in combination.这些材料可以单独使用也可以混合用。

7 monks   

n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The monks lived a very ascetic life. 僧侣过着很清苦的生活。
• He had been trained rigorously by the monks. 他接受过修道士的严格训练。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 hip   

n.臀部，髋；屋脊

参考例句：

• The thigh bone is connected to the hip bone.股骨连着髋骨。
• The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line.新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。

9 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。

10 Buddhists   

n.佛教徒( Buddhist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Jesuits in a phase of ascendancy, persecuted and insulted the Buddhists with great acrimony. 处于地位上升阶段的耶稣会修士迫害佛教徒，用尖刻的语言辱骂他们。 来自英汉非文学 - 历史
• The return of Saivite rule to central Java had brought no antagonism between Buddhists and Hindus. 湿婆教在中爪哇恢复统治后，并没有导致佛教徒与印度教徒之间的对立。 来自辞典例句

11 criticism   

n.批评，批判，指责；评论，评论文章

参考例句：

• Some youth today do not allow any criticism at all.现在有些年轻人根本指责不得。
• It is wrong to turn a deaf ear to other's criticism.对别人的批评充耳不闻是错误的。

12 criticisms   

批评( criticism的名词复数 )； 批判； 评论； 评论文章

参考例句：

• His criticisms of the president stirred up a hornet's nest. 他对董事长的批评造成众愤难平。
• It would be wise not to give undue importance to his criticisms. 最好不要过分看重他的批评。

13 worship   

n.崇拜，礼拜；v.崇拜，敬仰；做礼拜

参考例句：

• The Greeks used to worship several gods.过去，希腊人崇奉好几种神。
• Blind worship must be ended.盲目崇拜必须停止。

14 device   

n.器械，装置；计划，策略，诡计

参考例句：

• The device will be in production by the end of the year.该装置将于年底投入生产。
• The device will save much time and effort for us.这种装置会使我们节省大量时间和气力。