Japan temple where ‘maids’ discuss Buddhism to attract visitors creates pop idol group, sparks controversy and curiosity

Welcoming Buddhist-style maids chat to visitors about the religion while drinking tea. Photo: QQ.com

• Kyoto's Ryuganji Temple boosts visitor numbers with 'modern' initiatives
• Embraces social media, fashion videos, noodle challenges, and pop music

A 4,300-year-old Japanese temple has created a female pop group and is employing maids wearing Buddhist-style outfits to attract visitors.

The innovation has ignited a mix of curiosity and controversy online in Japan and China.

Ryuho Ikeguchi, 44, the 24th abbot of Ryuganji Temple in Kyoto, eastern Japan, initiated the changes in response to the dwindling number of traditional visitors.

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His strategy started with embracing social media to engage with younger generations.

The temple created official accounts on YouTube and X that included unique content such as monks' "outfit of the day" and spicy noodle challenges.

For example, in an outfit-of-the-day video, a monk dons traditional robes, prayer beads and hats, blending classical Buddhist elements with modern aesthetics such as on-trend Morandi colours.

Additionally, Ikeguchi launched the world's first Buddhist female pop group, "Tera*Palms", aimed at promoting Buddhist culture through music.

The group comprises five members representing different bodhisattvas: Mahasthamaprapta, Manjushri, Guanyin, Samantabhadra, and Maitreya. They wear specially designed outfits that incorporate Buddhist elements.

Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have put off entering paradise in order to help others attain enlightenment.

Online comments on the performances include: "It's unprecedented to see the 'bodhisattvas' energetically singing in front of Buddha statues while devotees beat wooden fish to cheer them on."

In 2018, Ikeguchi embraced modern technology by introducing "Buddha drones" that carry Buddha statues illuminated by LED lights and perform aerial displays. They quickly went viral and became a feature at Ryuganji Temple.

Among all the innovations, the introduction of temple maids, which was inspired by Japan's popular maid cafes, has sparked the most debate.

Ikeguchi justified his idea by highlighting the similarity in pronunciation of "meido", which refers to the "underworld" in Buddhism, and the English word "maid".

Wearing the Buddhist-style outfits, the maids engage visitors in discussions about the religion while drinking tea.

The idea faced criticism among the public in Japan, with some arguing that the maids might distract visitors, while others believe their presence trivialises the sacred nature of Buddhism.

The controversy has also led to lively discussions on mainland social media.

"If the designs can integrate Buddhist elements and cultural concepts well, I think it's a good approach. The head priest really has fresh ideas, he is a genius," one person said.

Some people online compared Ryuganji to temples in China.

"He is really trying hard to revitalise the temple, which is far better than some places in China that sell overpriced jade amulets and bracelets, or charge a fortune for fortune telling," one person wrote.

"So why are there only maids and no male attendants? Does this temple not need female visitors?" said another.

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

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