Rethinking Buddhism: Uniting Modern Society with Compassion

Kyoto has been a stronghold of Buddhism for a millennium, with over 1,600 temples located in its city limits. But temples face a drop in parishioners as the population declines and youth show disinterest. One priest tackles social problems, such as suicide, while artisans create appealing statues and ritual objects. An android makes Buddhist teachings more accessible, and an IT system enables discourse with priests. Discover the novel ways Buddhism is being promulgated in step with the times.

Transcript

00:03

Kyoto has been a stronghold of Buddhism for more than a millennium with over 1,600 temples within its city limits.

00:12

Of these, some are UNESCO World Heritage sites,

00:16

but the majority are nestled in residential areas and are an integral part of daily life.

00:28

However, Buddhist temples have seen a decrease in believers as the population continues to decline.

00:38

One priest has taken novel approaches to drawing people back to the faith.

00:47

Opening the temples and sharing
the centuries of history and culture-

00:53

more widely in the present
will revitalize the country.

01:03

Another priest tackles the social problem of suicide with solutions based in Buddhist teachings.

01:12

I felt isolated, that I had no right to live,
that there was no meaning to life.

01:21

Buddhist teachings helped me through it,
and I want to help others in the same way.

01:30

Core Kyoto follows priests and laypeople as they open modern avenues to Buddhism in step with the times.

01:55

Dharma sermons are one method used to explain Buddhist teachings to laypeople in plain terms.

02:11

Koudai-ji, a Rinzai sect, Zen temple founded in 1605, holds a style of Dharma sermons that is unique in the world.

02:27

What realizations will you humans come to through
discourse with my skeletal, metallic, inorganic self?

02:40

This android version of Kannon Bosatsu, called Mindar,

02:44

preaches The Heart Sutra, used by many Japanese Buddhist sects, on behalf of the monks.

02:56

The Heart Sutra teaches that everything is in flux and that clinging to constant factors causes suffering.

03:03

By accepting and applying the sutra's teachings, followers are liberated from attachment and hesitation, and attain enlightenment.

03:15

All things of the world
are changing,

03:19

and there are no certain fundamental facts
that make up one's nature and personality.

03:27

This is what Buddha meant
when he referred to "emptiness."

03:35

The android Kannon first appeared in 2019.

03:44

It was developed by priest Goto Tensho and university robotics researchers.

03:51

Androids have evolved
this far in today's world,

03:56

so why not have Kannon
transformed into an android?

04:01

Kannon can transform into anything.
That is why we created Mindar.

04:09

Kannon Bosatsu is the bodhisattva of compassion and salvation,

04:13

and Kannon changes form depending on the person who seeks salvation.

04:18

Hence, Gotou reasoned that Kannon could transform into an android, a modern form of Buddhist statuary.

04:28

Ogawa Kouhei, a humanoid robot researcher and one of Mindar's developers.

04:39

I research what interactive functions
and appearances are necessary to create-

04:45

robots that have a presence
like or surpassing humans.

04:50

In that respect, Buddhist statues
are the pinnacle of this concept.

04:55

So collaborating with priests who are
in contact with these statues daily would be-

04:59

a good direction
for my research.

05:03

I was convinced it would be
fascinating to work together.

05:09

The android Kannon they created is mostly skeletal.

05:20

We opted for this neutral form that is nondescript
and can spur people's imaginations.

05:34

For example, Mindar is
genderless and ageless.

05:40

When people are confronted with
something existing between classifications,

05:45

they use their imaginations to create
the perfect image of Buddha for themselves.

05:51

We insisted that the android be designed
to stimulate the human imagination.

06:02

The session includes a visual presentation that conveys The Heart Sutra in lay terms to complement the sermon.

06:14

I thought there'd be backlash from the religious
community, and I was steeling myself for criticism.

06:21

But the priests, worshippers, scholars,
everyone who came-

06:27

thought it was interesting and well done,
and praised the form. Very few criticized it.

06:36

Mindar has been a boon for the temple.

06:41

People who had no connection or interest in
Buddhism have come to see the talking android.

06:51

This 400-year-old temple is stirring convention and arousing new interest in Buddhism.

07:13

Ryugan-ji, founded in 1616, is a temple of the Pure Land sect.

07:25

Ikeguchi Ryuho, the 24th chief priest, studied Buddhism at university.

07:31

After entering the head temple of the Pure Land sect, he devoted himself to conveying the teachings in an accessible way.

07:52

In 2009, he began publishing booklets titled The Freestyle Monks' Free Magazine and was the first editor-in-chief.

08:00

It contained discussions by young priests from various sects on the current state of Buddhism.

08:11

With the proliferation of the internet
especially within the younger generations,

08:19

I realized that we need to consider
the future shape of Buddhism.

08:26

First we concentrated on conveying our message
on paper to build connections with youth.

08:38

These booklets attracted attention for breaking the stereotypes associated with Buddhism.

08:44

They later spurred young priests to launch various initiatives.

09:01

In 2014, Ikeguchi was appointed Ryuugan-ji's chief priest.

09:06

He wanted more people to visit his temple, so he organized events in the main hall that melded Buddhism with art.

09:27

One event that caught everyone's attention featured a drone embellished to resemble clouds.

09:37

The installation represents Amida Nyorai standing upon the drone and the flying bodhisattvas welcoming the souls of the deceased.

09:53

In the Pure Land sect, it is believed that the intonement of Namu Amida Butsu alone

09:58

guarantees anyone salvation by the compassionate Amida Buddha and entrance into the Pure Land.

10:06

Artists in bygone eras painted depictions of believers' longing to see Amida Nyorai

10:11

and the bodhisattvas riding clouds from the Pure Land to welcome them.

10:19

Back then, this welcome from the Pure Land
could only be depicted on hanging scrolls.

10:24

Since we have drones today,

10:28

it is possible to have a Buddha floating
and moving around in the air.

10:37

We can directly convey the concept of them
welcoming the souls to the Pure Land-

10:42

and deepen people's understanding
of Buddhist teachings.

10:53

Ikeguchi continues to experiment with several initiatives.

11:03

He began a group called, Butsu Butsu Bu - butsu meaning Buddha and bu, group.

11:10

It gathers young artisans who work making Buddhist altars and ritual objects.

11:15

Its mission is to bring the utensils and adornments of Buddhist culture into the present day.

11:26

Home altars contain Buddhist statues, mortuary tablets, and other ritual objects.

11:32

They are special places for people to make offerings, pray, and express gratitude to their ancestors and Buddha.

11:42

However, with Westernization and the shift to nuclear households, fewer homes maintain Buddhist altars.

11:51

Once upon a time, homes were built
around the altars.

11:56

It was prestigious for families
to own a fine altar.

12:05

But nowadays the living room
is the center of life,

12:12

and it doesn't feel right to place
a traditional altar there.

12:17

So I hope we can somehow continue
the practice of living with Buddha in our hearts.

12:30

Ikeguchi began the Nenjibutsu Workshop for worshipers in the hope that they can find a place for Buddhist statues in their modern lives.

12:43

Nenjibutsu are small Buddhist statues kept close by for personal daily worship.

12:51

Miura Youzan, the leader of Butsu Butsu Bu, oversees the workshop.

13:01

In a four-day workshop run by Butsu Butsu Bu members, participants make a statue and a miniature shrine to house it.

13:10

The statue is lacquered and covered in gold leaf.

13:20

In a one-day workshop, participants carve a small Jizou Bosatsu, who is worshipped in Japan as the guardian bodhisattva of children.

13:34

I hope this Jizo will
protect my kids.

13:39

I'm thinking of their safety and health,
even as I make a poor effort to carve it.

13:47

I am going to display it and pray
every day that it watches over my kids.

13:59

The participants finish their Jizou statues in a day.

14:05

It's difficult for artisans to directly connect
with those who worship their handiwork.

14:14

So we are extremely grateful
for this opportunity.

14:23

Butsu Butsu Bu holds regular meetings to brainstorm new projects.

14:31

Miura is joined by a lacquerer, a gold and silver leaf artisan, a metalworker, and a traditional carpenter.

14:47

One idea born from these meetings is installed at Ryugan-ji.

14:51

It is a capsule toy vending machine, which is commonly known as gacha for the sound it makes when the handle is turned.

15:01

It operates on tokens.

15:04

The capsules hold original items made by the Butsu Butsu Bu members -

15:09

- a lacquered incense burner...

15:13

...Buddhist statues carved with a single knife,

15:17

...and metal accessories.

15:26

The shrine that encases the machine was also made by the group members.

15:34

The machine is one of our ways
to promote ritual items in a cooler style.

15:43

Ikeguchi's ideas spring from his contemplations on the future of Buddhism.

15:52

Preserving old things in the old way
is not tradition.

15:57

That's why I want to use
various modern technologies-

16:01

to get as many people as possible
excited about visiting temples-

16:05

and be glad that temples
exist throughout Japan.

16:20

One corporation has taken an initiative to assist Buddhist priests.

16:27

Chokei-in is a sub-temple of Zen temple Myoshin-ji.

16:36

Today is the first time this lady is meeting the temple's chief priest.

16:50

Kosaka Koudo actively ensures his temple contributes to the community and society.

16:59

This woman, who has been working in Kyoto for the past four years,

17:03

was interested in Buddhism but had never fulfilled her desire to talk with a priest.

17:13

Her wish was made a reality through an internet service that matches priests with laypeople.

17:21

Registered members enter their desired activity, such as a consultation or tour of a temple, and select the location, time, and budget.

17:30

They then choose a priest from the search results and pay online.

17:37

"19 priests match your criteria."

17:44

The service is run by a Kyoto company that offers IT platforms to help solve social issues.

17:57

The man behind the idea, Akutsu Yasunori, was inspired by a realization.

18:05

I heard temples
have the role of-

18:09

listening to people's stories and
helping to relieve their worries.

18:15

So I was inspired to create more
opportunities for people to meet priests,

18:20

and I came up with
this temple system.

18:25

After the service began in 2019, Akutsu saw a gap between his original intent and people's actual needs.

18:34

I wanted it to be
an extension of entertainment.

18:40

I thought of it as an attraction, a chance
for visitors to Kyoto to interact with priests.

18:51

But when the service went live,
hardly anyone used it for entertainment.

19:01

If anything, most requests are from
people who were suffering and distressed.

19:13

The woman visiting Chokei-in originally requested to know more about the daily life of Buddhist priests and their work.

19:21

But during their discussion, she opened up about her concerns and the discomfort she had been feeling toward others during the pandemic.

19:34

My husband and friends
tell me I overthink things.

19:40

When I'm feeling down and I'm alone,
I start thinking weird thoughts.

19:47

The difficulty with the pandemic
was that-

19:50

it created a disconnect
or separation from other people.

19:55

It even happened
often within families or couples.

19:59

A gap forms when the people from whom
you seek understanding do not understand.

20:06

And I wonder if some people
found it hard even at home.

20:14

On this day, they chatted for an hour.

20:20

I forgot time and I don't
even know how much we talked.

20:24

I had a thoroughly
enjoyable time.

20:29

Currently, about 30 priests from various sects are registered on the matching site.

20:34

And the priests seem to be benefitting along with the visitors.

20:41

In addition to our regular visitors and
those I meet outside, it's a huge merit-

20:48

that more people interested in
our temple now have online access to us.

20:55

Setting up and organizing meetings alone doesn't
guarantee you'll successfully connect with people.

21:04

It's a great help having someone build
and provide this kind of service.

21:17

Akutsu feels his system has further potential.

21:23

If priests register and get the chance
to talk with people online or in person,

21:29

I think more people
will visit the community.

21:35

Even if it's just one visit, they will contribute
a little to local business opportunities.

21:41

I hope the service comforts people
and at the same time-

21:48

provides a source of revenue
for the local residents and temples.

22:06

One non-profit organization is working to create a comfortable society for everyone.

22:16

They field calls every Friday and Saturday night from people who find life difficult or are lonely.

22:26

So you've had a spate of
overwhelming incidents?

22:30

I see.

22:32

So you feel you'd be
better off dead?

22:37

I see.

22:41

The Sotto Kyoto Suicide Counseling Center opened in 2010,

22:45

headed by True Pure Land sect priest Takemoto Ryogo.

22:56

He holds the position of chief priest at Saishou-ji in neighboring Nara Prefecture,

23:01

and through his work at the center he endeavors to create a haven for those contemplating suicide.

23:15

Takemoto's motive for focusing on suicidal issues lies in his own past.

23:22

I was badly bullied from my third year
in elementary school, for quite a long time.

23:31

What relieved my sense of loneliness
was Buddhism and Amida.

23:41

We endeavor to make those
contemplating suicide feel warmth-

23:46

and make them feel that they
do have a reason to live.

23:50

I use the teachings that saved me
as a model at our consultation center.

24:05

Takemoto sees many hints for solving people's varied problems in the Buddhist teachings.

24:15

Our ancestors experienced many hardships
over the last 2,500 years-

24:23

and were saved
by following Buddha's path.

24:28

There are hints galore in this attested history,
in this collection of case studies.

24:33

If you look in the sutras, you will find
hints to your problems.

24:42

The center also accepts email requests for counselling, and the staff responds to each and every one.

24:48

The counsellors place emphasis on conveying their heartfelt warmth

24:53

as they strive to provide distressed people with a comfortable place where individual concerns are taken seriously.

25:01

While I'm counselling, I feel like I'm
speaking to myself when I'm troubled.

25:10

Buddhism has its own unique way
of counseling.

25:18

We don't convey
the Buddhist teachings-

25:22

but relate with and counsel people
with Buddhist compassion.

25:29

So, I'd like to do what I can,
even if it's just a little.

25:35

Takemoto founded an electric power company with fellow priests in 2018

25:41

from his concern that their socially meaningful activities couldn't be sustained on good intentions alone.

25:49

I felt the center had its limits
as a volunteer organization.

25:56

Many people rely on our service,

26:01

but we just don't have the manpower
to adequately respond.

26:07

Solving this was the main reason
for starting the power company.

26:12

We had to find a different, stable
source of revenue,

26:17

and we wanted to create an economic cycle
where the money would fund the center's activities.

26:23

The company's biggest feature is
its "electricity and donations" service.

26:28

Under the system, we donate part of the
electricity revenue once a year.

26:36

Each customer can choose who receives their part of the donation

26:39

- either the counselling center, or around 50 other temples, non-profit organizations,

26:44

and groups that contribute to society in such areas as education,

26:49

women's support, disaster preparedness, and environmental conservation.

26:55

For me, the power company
is only one tool.

27:00

At the root of what I'm trying to achieve at
the counselling center is to create a safe place.

27:07

And that stems from
my own sense of isolation –

27:11

that I had no right to live,
that there was no meaning to life.

27:17

Buddhist teachings helped me through it,
and I want to help others the same way.

27:24

It comes down to wanting
to create that place with everyone.

27:31

Over its 1,200-year history, Kyoto has nurtured a rich, spiritual culture as a religious center.

27:41

The attempts to find ways to disseminate and preserve Buddhism in tune with the times breathes new life into the ancient teachings.