Rapping monk slings Buddhist rhymes

VIDEO: Monk says using hip-hop good way to attract young followers (CNN)

Forget chanting. A Japanese Buddhist monk is trying to make his religion hip to younger people by way of hip-hop. Kansho Tagai, who goes by the street name Mr. Happiness, said people believe Buddhist sutras are too hard to understand.

But if it's interpreted in a modern way and sung as a rap, young people might accept Buddhism, he said. So that's what he does. It seems to be working. At a time when hundreds of temples are closing each year in Japan, Tagai said scores of young people are visiting his temple. Other monks are even calling him for advice, he said. Source: wesh.com

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