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LEAD ARTICLE | EASTERN HORIZON 9

participants’ positive mental health, BTN also transmits its programs
the Templestay programs have throughout the world through the
also created a favorable image of services of Amazon TV, ROKU TV,
Buddhism among Koreans while Apple TV, TBO Play, Hankook TV
showcasing the best of Korean (USA), UNIC TV (China & Southeast
culture to foreigners. Asia), and AKTV (Korean TV in New
Zealand).
There are at least four Buddhist
media outlets in Korea: Buddhist In line with the fast-paced changes
Broadcasting System, Buddhist of contemporary society, BTN is the
Cable TV Network, Buddhist pioneer in new media, and provides
Television Network, and Hyundae services like AI speakers (SK & KT),
Bulgyo Buddhist Newspaper. TPOD (listening TV), and Naver
How successful have they been Audio Clips.
nationwide, including: Bongseonsa in propagating Buddhism in the
in Namyangju, Magoksa in Gongju, country? BTN was also the first Buddhist
Geumsansa in Gimje, Naksansa in network to launch its own YouTube
Yangyang, Bulguksa in Gyeongju and
Korea’s Buddhist media outlets channel and received YouTube’s
Yakcheonsa in Jeju.
include two Buddhist broadcasting Silver Play Button Award last year
companies, Buddhist Television reaching 200,000 subscribers
In 2019, 134 temples operated the
Network [BTN] and Buddhist this year. Furthermore, BTN
“Templestay for Sharing” program
Broadcasting System [BBS]. There is ranked top among Korea’s
to support families in financial
are several Buddhist newspapers, religious broadcasting companies.
hardships, high school dropouts, both print and digital: Bulgyo BTN also established “Ullim”
foreign laborers, low income Sinmun, Beopbo Sinmun, Hyundae (lit, “Resonance”), an app-based
families, injured police officers, Bulgyo Sinmun, Uri Bulgyo, Jugan radio service, putting itself well
gambling addicts, and people on Bulgyo Sinmun, Geumgang Sinmun, on the path to becoming a more
probation. This program drew Milgyo Sinmun, Hanguk Bulgyo comprehensive media company.
as many as 276,204 participants,
Sinmun, and Media Buddha. Korean
which was 8.85 % of all Templestay
Buddhist media are using various Moreover, BTN has also established
participants for that year.
means to propagate the Buddha’s and operated many affiliated
teachings and have reaped visible organizations, such as BTN Buddha
A research team led by Prof. Gwon
results. Association, a faith and practice
Jun-su from the Department of community for Buddhists; Sansaae,
Psychiatry, Seoul National University th
Celebrating its 25 anniversary an internet e-commerce site;
Hospital, conducted a case study
this year, BTN, the most influential BTN Buddha Land Mutual Aid, a
on the impact of Templestay
Buddhist media station, has 14 community-based business to help
programs on mental health. The
million subscribers on cable arrange proper Buddhist funerals;
results, which were published in
television as of December 2019. BTN BTN Tour, which specializes in
an academic conference, revealed
also has 4.18 million subscribers pilgrimages to sacred Buddhist
that Templestay participants
on satellite television; 8.35 million sites; BTNWORLD, which transmits
showed significant enhancement
subscribers for IPTV, 8.35 million Korean Buddhist teachings globally;
of resilience in coping with daily
subscribers using KT, 5.19 million a corporation aggregate titled
stress, and maintained their stress-
subscribers using BTV, and 4.48 ‘Cities & Farming-Fishing Villages’,
free level even after three months.
million subscribers using LG U+. which explores mutually beneficial
Thus, besides contributing to ways to connect cities with rural