Monks Rap, Strut in Effort to Re-Energize Buddhism

December 16, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Japan Times

Wire Service: AP

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20071216a5.html

Japanese monks and nuns held a fashion show — replete with rap music and a catwalk — at a major temple in Tokyo on 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, which was aimed at raising the profile of the religion.

After banging out a rap version of a Buddhist sutra, five monks from each school strutted on the catwalk and chanted prayers, wrapping up the show with a grand finale featuring 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.