DJ monk New Jeans Nim (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – Buddhism is experiencing an unexpected resurgence among young South Koreans, driven by a mix of pop culture references and a search for meaning in a fast-paced society.
This renewed interest is now making its mark in an unlikely place: bookstores.
The trend was kickstarted by unconventional events like an electronic dance music (EDM) performance during Buddha’s Birthday celebrations, where DJ monk New Jeans Nim (the alter ego of comedian Yoon Sung-ho), performed an electrifying set.
A dating show set in a temple, “I Am a Monk,” has also captured the public’s imagination.
Now, Buddhist texts ranging from ancient scriptures to contemporary essays are flying off the shelves, according to data from Yes24, one of South Korea’s largest online booksellers.
The Heart Sutra, a concise 260-character distillation of core Buddhist wisdom, has seen a particular surge in popularity among millennials and Gen Z readers.
Sales of Heart Sutra-related books to readers in their 20s and 30s increased by 31.9% this summer (June 1 to August 20) compared to the same period last year.
“Ven. Pomnyun’s Lectures on the Heart Sutra,” which interprets the ancient text for modern audiences, saw an even more dramatic 58.6% increase.
Now, Buddhist texts ranging from ancient scriptures to contemporary essays are flying off the shelves. (Image courtesy of Yes24)
Essays written by Buddhist monks have also resonated with younger readers, with sales to those in their 20s and 30s jumping 47.1% compared to the same period last year.
Popular titles include Ven. Beopjeong’s “Find Your True Self” and “Be Happy on Your Own,” as well as Ven. Pomnyun’s “This is Good Enough as It Is” and “Lessons from Mother.”
Meditation books are finding an audience too. “Ultra-translation of Buddha’s Words,” which reinterprets Buddha’s teachings in contemporary language, has consistently ranked in the top 20 bestsellers list for nine weeks since its May release.
Even Hermann Hesse’s 1922 novel “Siddhartha,” which explores the life of Buddha, has found new life with young readers. Despite being considered a classic typically favored by older generations, 45.9% of its recent purchasers were in their 20s and 30s.
A representative from Yes24 noted, “The EDM performance at the Buddha’s Birthday celebration and shows like ‘I Am a Monk’ have sparked interest in Buddhist culture among young people. This seems to have naturally extended to an increased interest in Buddhist literature.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
