As Buddha's Birthday approaches on May 24, more people are heading to bookstores and art galleries to explore Buddhism. With the younger generation embracing Buddhism as a trendy culture, there is a growing movement to experience the teachings of Buddha outside of temples.
According to Kyobo Bookstore, Hermann Hesse's novel "Siddhartha" ranked seventh on the comprehensive bestseller list for the third week of May, climbing two spots from the previous week.
Online bookstore Yes24 also reported that "Siddhartha" has remained in the top 20 for two consecutive weeks, gaining traction as interest in Buddhism rises alongside mindfulness and lifestyle content. A Yes24 representative stated, "Sales of 'Siddhartha' have increased every May for the past three years coinciding with Buddha's Birthday. From May 1 to 20 this year, sales surged by 47.4% compared to the same period last year."
There is also a trend of enjoying Buddhism as a cultural experience, regardless of religious affiliation. The Seoul International Buddhist Expo held in April attracted a record 250,000 visitors over four days, with individuals in their 20s and 30s making up 81.7% of attendees. Approximately 40% of the visitors identified as non-religious, indicating that the event has evolved into a cultural festival enjoyed by all.
This trend is extending to dining as well. Interest in temple cuisine has surged, particularly following the appearance of Monk Seonjae on the Netflix show "Black and White Chef." Yes24 reported that sales of temple cuisine cookbooks skyrocketed by 801% compared to the same period last year (January 1 to May 14). The best-selling book this year is "220 Flavors of Nature: Temple Cuisine by Monk Seonjae," reflecting a growing demand for enjoying temple food at home.
Buddhist art is also gaining popularity. The National Museum of Korea's exhibition "Room of Contemplation," featuring two national treasures, the Bangasayusang statues, has drawn significant attention, with visitors captivated by the unique narratives and striking presence of the Buddha figures.
The special exhibition "The Enlightened Buddha: The Bongjeongsa Temple Banner" at the National Museum of Korea features a massive banner measuring over 8 meters tall and 6 meters wide, depicting the scene of Buddha delivering teachings on Yeongchuksan Mountain. Additionally, a Kakao Friends character, Lion, and Chunsik have been transformed into a representation of the Bangasayusang statue, attracting visitors in the museum's open courtyard.
The special exhibition "Seonunsa Temple: Entering Zen and Lying on Clouds" at the Buddhist Central Museum of the Jogye Order, located in Jongno-gu, features the gilt-bronze statue of Ksitigarbha, which has gained attention on social media due to its remarkable backstory. This statue was taken to Japan but returned after two years, reportedly bringing misfortune to those who stole it. The thieves confessed two years later in 1938, and the monks from Seonunsa traveled to Hiroshima that same year to retrieve the statue.
Both exhibitions will run until June 21 and July 31, respectively.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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