GONZO Starts Contact Management of a Moe Buddhist Temple
According to the official website, anime production studio GONZO started a contact management of a Buddhist temple Ryohoji. The temple became famous when the chief priest put a PR sign with Moe characters last May.
Picture of the Moe sign
Each character represents Buddhist goddess and was designed by a CG illustrator & seiyu Toromi. GONZO is now looking for licensees who want to commercialize the characters. Ryohoji will open a maid cafeteria in the precincts during a local festival to be held this month.
Notice of the maid cafe
Ryohoji was originally established in 1490 and moved to the current place in 1590.
Sources:
GONZO
Ryohoji official website
Picture of the Moe sign
Each character represents Buddhist goddess and was designed by a CG illustrator & seiyu Toromi. GONZO is now looking for licensees who want to commercialize the characters. Ryohoji will open a maid cafeteria in the precincts during a local festival to be held this month.
Notice of the maid cafe
Ryohoji was originally established in 1490 and moved to the current place in 1590.
Sources:
GONZO
Ryohoji official website
20 of 56 Comments Recent Comments
This is ridiculous.
Nov 13, 2009 4:43 AM by AlexSadist-sama
Well, I'm Buddhist and I don't know what to say.
At least we all know that Japanese Buddhism is so far removed that it is really not that much at all related to Mahayana Buddhism. Also, commercialization of religions has been around for ages. :-\
At least we all know that Japanese Buddhism is so far removed that it is really not that much at all related to Mahayana Buddhism. Also, commercialization of religions has been around for ages. :-\
Nov 12, 2009 10:43 PM by HappyPear
Japanese Buddhism is at least half Shinto animistic now.
Pure Buddhism is several times removed from Japan, it's gone through several cultural filters and evolutions.
Also, Gonzo haters fail. And this wins.
Pure Buddhism is several times removed from Japan, it's gone through several cultural filters and evolutions.
Also, Gonzo haters fail. And this wins.
Nov 12, 2009 7:46 PM by ukonkivi
YoshikoHatake said:
As an actual Buddhist, I am so offended by this. (I really am.)
Geez, why isn't anyone stopping this?!
[...]
Buddha does teach to stray people from worldly goods. And a true Buddhist monk, should stray from worldly material: Phones, computer, television, stuff like this.
As an actual Buddhist, I am so offended by this. (I really am.)
Geez, why isn't anyone stopping this?!
[...]
Buddha does teach to stray people from worldly goods. And a true Buddhist monk, should stray from worldly material: Phones, computer, television, stuff like this.
Again, I think you have to interpret the rules with common sense. True, not accepting money is one of the rules (if I remember correctly) for a devoted Buddhist monk. However, the temple is not accepting money for personal fortune but it needs it to survive....
Based on your extreme anti-materialism views, temples themselves are material objects (as well as all the Buddha statues) and should be abandoned by the monks then. However, that is not the point of Buddhism and the temples are a refuge for those who wants to follow the path of devote Buddhist monks (and disperse the teachings) True Buddhists should understand that even the "strict" rules are mere illusions once you've understood the greater truth of the world. The rules are meant to be a guidance to help you enlighten. All the ascetic rules are meant for you to focus your mind on observing the greater truth and free yourself from distractions. However, it does not necessarily mean that you should be completely detached from the world. On the contrary, extreme asceticism does not necessarily guarantee enlightenment...
Again, marketing is involved here and just shows that yes, even Buddhist temples need money to survive in this world (that's how it is, unless you can change it)
Nov 12, 2009 4:30 PM by wakka9ca
YoshikoHatake said:
As an actual Buddhist, I am so offended by this. (I really am.)
Geez, why isn't anyone stopping this?!
As an actual Buddhist, I am so offended by this. (I really am.)
Geez, why isn't anyone stopping this?!
As already stated, we live in a capitalist world. People need money to survive. Temples need money to run. Just ask Reimu. If nobody comes to temples and donates, then they have a lot of trouble operating in this age. Also consider in Japan land is at a premium, and temples usually have fairly large grounds. Do you think that's entirely free for them?
Nov 12, 2009 1:09 AM by Asako
There, you have it. TRUE Buddhist monk.
I remember a monk from a temple came to our house and did some ritual when my grandparents past away.
he carries a handphone with polyphonic ringtone, and drives a BMW. thats like 6 years ago.
I remember a monk from a temple came to our house and did some ritual when my grandparents past away.
he carries a handphone with polyphonic ringtone, and drives a BMW. thats like 6 years ago.
Nov 12, 2009 12:46 AM by Riddos
As an actual Buddhist, I am so offended by this. (I really am.)
Geez, why isn't anyone stopping this?!
Buddha does teach to stray people from worldly goods. And a true Buddhist monk, should stray from worldly material: Phones, computer, television, stuff like this.
Mod edit: Merged double post.
Geez, why isn't anyone stopping this?!
wakka9ca said:
Again, moving away from attachment = moderation and recognizing that the attachment is illusory.
However, our world is not a Buddhist world and the temple needs money to survive... that is the simple truth. They need either funding/donations or need to gain that money by themselves, which is mostly what all modern Buddhist temple do (in some way or another)
And Buddhists are not all ascetics. The important is to recognize that the extreme paths can lead to more suffering in a long term. And extreme anti-materialism is not what Buddhism fundamentally is.
JuicyBuddha said:
My problem is, Buddha's teachings are meant to move people away from attachment to material things, such as business and making money. So a buddhist temple using materialist propaganda to make money = not a buddhist temple = hypocrisy.
Asako said:
On topic, all I can say is... neat. I like seeing things promoted in a creative manner. Whatever works for them. If it's good business sense, then go for it.
On topic, all I can say is... neat. I like seeing things promoted in a creative manner. Whatever works for them. If it's good business sense, then go for it.
My problem is, Buddha's teachings are meant to move people away from attachment to material things, such as business and making money. So a buddhist temple using materialist propaganda to make money = not a buddhist temple = hypocrisy.
Again, moving away from attachment = moderation and recognizing that the attachment is illusory.
However, our world is not a Buddhist world and the temple needs money to survive... that is the simple truth. They need either funding/donations or need to gain that money by themselves, which is mostly what all modern Buddhist temple do (in some way or another)
And Buddhists are not all ascetics. The important is to recognize that the extreme paths can lead to more suffering in a long term. And extreme anti-materialism is not what Buddhism fundamentally is.
Buddha does teach to stray people from worldly goods. And a true Buddhist monk, should stray from worldly material: Phones, computer, television, stuff like this.
Mod edit: Merged double post.
Nov 12, 2009 12:27 AM by YoshikoHatake
Meh...
I don't know if I should laugh or cry, but anyway it really looks like a joke.
So I say it: wtf??!
I don't know if I should laugh or cry, but anyway it really looks like a joke.
So I say it: wtf??!
Nov 11, 2009 7:39 AM by HooHiraiBunny
JuicyBuddha said:
My problem is, Buddha's teachings are meant to move people away from attachment to material things, such as business and making money. So a buddhist temple using materialist propaganda to make money = not a buddhist temple = hypocrisy.
Asako said:
On topic, all I can say is... neat. I like seeing things promoted in a creative manner. Whatever works for them. If it's good business sense, then go for it.
On topic, all I can say is... neat. I like seeing things promoted in a creative manner. Whatever works for them. If it's good business sense, then go for it.
My problem is, Buddha's teachings are meant to move people away from attachment to material things, such as business and making money. So a buddhist temple using materialist propaganda to make money = not a buddhist temple = hypocrisy.
Again, moving away from attachment = moderation and recognizing that the attachment is illusory.
However, our world is not a Buddhist world and the temple needs money to survive... that is the simple truth. They need either funding/donations or need to gain that money by themselves, which is mostly what all modern Buddhist temple do (in some way or another)
And Buddhists are not all ascetics. The important is to recognize that the extreme paths can lead to more suffering in a long term. And extreme anti-materialism is not what Buddhism fundamentally is.
Nov 11, 2009 6:47 AM by wakka9ca
=w= anime taking over japan? (even though it was to begin with xD)
Nov 11, 2009 1:19 AM by KingSophie
good news! very interesting method
Nov 10, 2009 11:07 PM by Yamo10
I don't see what is wrong with this.
Moe characters is not "materialist advertising". Japan (gov) has accepted cuteness as a national feature and selling point; this is basically the same as a Texan restaurant advertising with people dressed as cowboys/girls.
Moe characters is not "materialist advertising". Japan (gov) has accepted cuteness as a national feature and selling point; this is basically the same as a Texan restaurant advertising with people dressed as cowboys/girls.
Nov 10, 2009 10:02 PM by Sohei
Hahahaha!
Nov 10, 2009 9:40 PM by Gote-nks
llxwarbirdxll said:
Does anyone find it wrong that Buddhists, who usually try to discourage attachment to worldly possessions or the world in general, are actually trying to attract people with this?
Does anyone find it wrong that Buddhists, who usually try to discourage attachment to worldly possessions or the world in general, are actually trying to attract people with this?
ahahaha - again, only in Japan...
Nov 10, 2009 9:13 PM by indigosmanthus
unbelievable!! ><
but still interesting~
but still interesting~
Nov 10, 2009 7:53 PM by enixela
Asako said:
On topic, all I can say is... neat. I like seeing things promoted in a creative manner. Whatever works for them. If it's good business sense, then go for it.
On topic, all I can say is... neat. I like seeing things promoted in a creative manner. Whatever works for them. If it's good business sense, then go for it.
My problem is, Buddha's teachings are meant to move people away from attachment to material things, such as business and making money. So a buddhist temple using materialist propaganda to make money = not a buddhist temple = hypocrisy.
I have no problem with making money, and if the proprietors of this temple want to run an anime-oriented business that's fine with me and I wish them luck. But they shouldn't do it while disguised as an ascetic, anti-materialistic religion. Go to Akiba and open a shop or something instead.
Nov 10, 2009 7:13 PM by JuicyBuddha
That's a pretty cute idea..
Moe Buddhist Temple....huh?
Nice sign.. Nice poster... I guess.
Moe Buddhist Temple....huh?
Nice sign.. Nice poster... I guess.
Nov 10, 2009 6:35 PM by Kira01
Cleaned up the thread. Deleted a few quotechains. Please don't just quote other people and add nothing further. And "QFT" and "+1" type replies do not count as something further.
On topic, all I can say is... neat. I like seeing things promoted in a creative manner. Whatever works for them. If it's good business sense, then go for it.
On topic, all I can say is... neat. I like seeing things promoted in a creative manner. Whatever works for them. If it's good business sense, then go for it.
Nov 10, 2009 6:30 PM by Asako
i think using anime to promote temples is a common practice in japan. its no different from using rock bands or celebrities for religious events.
i even went for a counter-strike competition in a church before. -_-
i even went for a counter-strike competition in a church before. -_-
Nov 10, 2009 5:29 PM by Riddos
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