Japanese Buddhist Temple Offers Immersive CGI Imagining of the Pure Land

[Aemilius]

"Senju-ji, the head temple of the Takada school of Shin Buddhism, has launched a brand-new, immersive experience that offers visitors a 360-degree CGI imagining of the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha (Jp: Amida Butsu, Amida Nyorai).

The 15th century Buddhist temple in Japan’s Mie Prefecture has built a high-tech hexagonal theater fitted with six screens, each measuring four by six meters, for audiences of up to 40 people.

“We hope it will serve as a starting point for people to become interested in the world of Buddhism and visit the temple,” Chiryo Fujitani, who handles general affairs at Senju-ji, was quoted as saying by The Asahi Shimbun newspaper."



"Two programs are being shown at the 360-degree theater: Ojodo, which presents a visual imagining of the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha, and Senjuji360, an immersive exploration of Senju-ji’s Edo-period architecture, and the Buddhist murals, sculptures, and other treasures housed within. Senjuji360 includes drone footage of the temple’s Nyoraido and Mieido halls, both of which are designated national treasures by the Japanese government.

“The architectural beauty found throughout the huge buildings of the Miei-do and Nyorai-do, as well as the beauty of the murals and sculptures inside and outside the buildings, represent the world of the Pure Land of Amida Nyorai,” Senju-ji stated. “These architectures and ornaments are masterpieces of Edo Period craftsmanship. Many of these details are usually inaccessible due to the sheer size of the buildings or for religious reasons. This time, the latest digital technology including 3D measurement and 360-degree camera imaging has made it possible to see them as if they were in your hand.” (Senjuji)

The temple went on to describe its aspirations for the depiction of Amitabha’s Pure Land in Ojodo, noting: “According to the teachings of Jodo Shinshu, we will be born into the Pure Land after death. Since the founding of the Jodo Shinshu sect, the gorgeous architecture of the Miei-do and Nyorai-do, the beauty of the decorations, the beautiful sounds of gagaku (traditional Japanese court music), and the fragrance of incense have been used to convey this teaching, so that visitors can feel what the Pure Land is like with all five senses. In this program, we will present a modern interpretation of the Pure Land in a virtual space, utilizing the latest video technology by contemporary creators.” (Senjuji)

[Abhidharmic wayfarer]

Japanese Buddhism is in a period of flux and transformation where the old ways of putting food on the table (i.e., the funeral system, the Danka system) are breaking down. Naturally they are trying many things and moving in many new directions in search of a new paradigm of social relevance. I get it.

Nevertheless I feel the “TechnoBuddhism” road is not one Japanese Buddhism should go down. Personally I am in favor of Buddhist efforts to provide spaces and opportunities for “detoxing from technology.” Old incense-smoke-darkened temple ceilings, sliding panels splashed with medieval calligraphy, and faded tatami mats are what the world need now more than ever.

[bowsamic]

Japanese Buddhism is in a period of flux and transformation where the old ways of putting food on the table (i.e., the funeral system, the Danka system) are breaking down. Naturally they are trying many things and moving in many new directions in search of a new paradigm of social relevance. I get it.

Nevertheless I feel the “TechnoBuddhism” road is not one Japanese Buddhism should go down. Personally I am in favor of Buddhist efforts to provide spaces and opportunities for “detoxing from technology.” Old incense-smoke-darkened temple ceilings, sliding panels splashed with medieval calligraphy, and faded tatami mats are what the world need now more than ever.

Well, we can do both. It isn't like they are getting rid of those old things.

Also, I do think that Japanese people have a penchant for niche, almost kitsch uses of technology, so I think this is perhaps quite appealing to them. As a westerner, I feel like it feels somewhat trite, since in the west we are quite disillusioned with technology, but I'm not sure if that is so in Japan. They seem to still enjoy their gadgets.

Personally I'm not sure if we should be trying to escape technology. You won't find eternal peace just because you go to a cabin in the woods, and the Dharma can be practised just as well in the presence of technology. It's just about what draws people in, and I do think that the "technology detox" approach is more flashy and appealing to westerners, even if it's ultimately vapid and without merit.

[Knotty Veneer]

Why do all these things look like an acid trip?

[Abhidharmic wayfarer]

Well, we can do both.

Noted. True indeed.

Also, I do think that Japanese people have a penchant for niche, almost kitsch uses of technology, so I think this is perhaps quite appealing to them. As a westerner, I feel like it feels somewhat trite, since in the west we are quite disillusioned with technology, but I'm not sure if that is so in Japan. They seem to still enjoy their gadgets.

I've lived in Japan for the majority of my life and its been a bit whistful and sad to watch the Japanese relationship with "cutting-edge technology" decline from its awesome hights in the glory days of the 80s and 90s to today's somewhat pedestrian and aptly described "Kitsch." Its had to remember now, but once Japanese technological might provoked awe and a bit of fear. Today its just kinda cutsey in a circa-2005-era way.

I guess what happened is everyone got old.

Nevertheless, although less flashy than its bubble-era achievements, Japan is making great strides in automation and robotics. It's predicted that in as soon as 5 years, 50% of all jobs will be automated. They even have robot waiters in many restaurants now, which I guess is pretty cool. One economist predicts that as long as population drops faster than GNP, even with negative growth, per-capita GNP (a measure associated with middle class comfort) could actually rise. Fewer people, bigger houses, less work, maybe government stimmie checks every month. Socialism with Japanaese Characteristcs.

But that's neither here nor there. More relevant to this board's concerns, it is also predicted that something like 40,000 temples will be abandoned within 20 years. Already those whith the skills to do complex temple woodworking and aesthetic detailing have almost completely died off. There are only 11 people left in the country who know how to make Japanese temple candles, which use a waxy plant-based substance and tightly rolled parchment to avoid animal exploitation. Little things that have been part of daily life for thosands of years are vanishing every day.

[Aemilius]

Why do all these things look like an acid trip?

Read the Larger Sukhavativyuha sutra. The visualisation there is nothing different from this video, in fact it is thousand times more fantastical.

[Kim O'Hara]

"Senju-ji, the head temple of the Takada school of Shin Buddhism, has launched a brand-new, immersive experience that offers visitors a 360-degree CGI imagining of the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha (Jp: Amida Butsu, Amida Nyorai).

The 15th century Buddhist temple in Japan’s Mie Prefecture has built a high-tech hexagonal theater fitted with six screens, each measuring four by six meters, for audiences of up to 40 people.
...

I can't help thinking that visitors to this exhibit are going to be shocked and disoriented when they get to the Pure Land and find it's nothing like the pictures they have been shown.


Kim

[Abhijñājñānābhibhu]

I can't help thinking that visitors to this exhibit are going to be shocked and disoriented when they get to the Pure Land and find it's nothing like the pictures they have been shown.

Granted these images aren't exactly like what is described in the Pure Land sutras and sadhanas and the like, and maybe seem to more resemble the ideas of what it might be like in the Brahma heavens and Pure Abodes of the Form Realm Devas where the gods have bodies of light, but then again, it's not certain that you or anyone else apart from an enlightened master could know exactly what life is really like in a Pure Land like Sukhavati.

Also, if it were up to you, and you were going to do a project like this - which seems to me to be a pretty good idea in many respects - how exactly would you improve it?