Buddhist monks in a unique fashion parade show at Tokyo

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Buddhism is on wane in Japan. To revive interest in Buddhism , the monks

held a unique fashion parade show at Tokyo. Read the full story below:

 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=d3afab2e-4514-4e08-ab5\

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Japanese monks and nuns held a fashion show replete with rap music and a

catwalk at a major Tokyo temple Saturday to promote Buddhism. In the " Tokyo Bouz

(monk) Collection " held at Tsukiji Honganji, nearly 40 monks and nuns from eight

major Buddhist sects joined in the event aimed at winning back believers.

Following a rap version of a Buddhist sutra, five monks from each school walked

on the runway, then chanted prayers and wrapped up in a grand finale with

confetti resembling lotus petals. " We wanted to show the young people that

Buddhism is cool, and temples are not a place just for funerals, " said Koji

Matsubara, a chief monk at Tsukiji. More than 1,200 years after it first arrived

from mainland Asia, Buddhism in Japan is in crisis, priests say. Almost

three-quarters of Japan's population of 120 million are registered as Buddhist,

but for many, the only time they enter a temple is to attend a funeral. That has

sent many of the country's 75,000 temples into financial

trouble. " Many of us priests share the sense of crisis, and a need to do

something to reach out to people, " said priest Kosuke Kikkawa, 37, one of the

organisers of Saturday's event. " We won't change Buddha's teachings, but perhaps

we need a different presentation that can touch the feelings of the people

today. " The Tsukiji Honganji offers theological seminars in English for foreign

visitors, and has fitted its main hall with a pipe organ for Western-style

weddings to attract young couples. Some other temples have also introduced

cafes, art galleries and other innovations to reach out to young people who are

interested in a different lifestyle. Japan's aging population has meant more

funerals, but the declining population and birth rate means fewer young people

to share the bill to keep temples afloat. Buddhist monks traditionally wear

simple black robes. But to appeal to more fashion-conscious youth, the monks

wore green and yellow clothes, some with gold embroidery.

Others wore elaborate, multilayered robes. " Their robes were gorgeous, " said

Sayaka Anma, one of the audience in her 20s, after the monks' show. " I was a bit

surprised in the beginning, but it was very moving. "

 

 

 

 

 

 

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