While other religious and political leaders around the world are busy creating moral panics around violent video games, it appears that one Buddhist leader feels quite differently about them. The third ranking Buddhist, Ogyen Trinley Dorje (and, according to the article, the only Buddhist leader recognized by China, Tibet and India), apparently sees video games as therapeutic and a way to let out aggression:
Well, I view video games as something of an emotional therapy, a mundane level of emotional therapy for me. We all have emotions whether we’re Buddhist practitioners or not, all of us have emotions, happy emotions, sad emotions, displeased emotions and we need to figure out a way to deal with them when they arise.
So, for me sometimes it can be a relief, a kind of decompression to just play some video games. If I’m having some negative thoughts or negative feelings, video games are one way in which I can release that energy in the context of the illusion of the game. I feel better afterwards.
The aggression that comes out in the video game satiates whatever desire I might have to express that feeling. For me, that’s very skillful because when I do that I don’t have to go and hit anyone over the head.
In response, the interviewer asks “shouldn’t meditation take care of that?” to which he replies: “No, video games are just a skillful method.” So, kids, next time some politician says that violent video games are bad, why not point out that one of the most peaceful men in the world uses them to let out some aggression in ways that meditation cannot provide.
#20 Hmmm a bit slow today…4 hours and that’s the best you say?
Isn’t it true you can be convinced of anything—having a brain, when put on the edge of a razor, looks just like a pea rolling down a four lane highway.
Admit it, when it comes to religion, you are so narrow minded you can look through a key hole with both eyes.
Spy out Christianity, it alone is the true religion…saying so isn’t a smear…its a statement of fact.
What you do, is smear, trollish.
Hey Alfred. Just pulling things back, how do you reconcile your 100,000 at the Washington with Glenn Beck’s 1.7 million from “I don’t know the University”? You never answered us….
Christianity is bad for your health and mental well being.
So, why do you all think that video games as a form of meditation are supposed to be a cure for anything? People can’t be cured of aggression, video games are just a good way to roll with it. I only wish that people who have aggressive tendencies would shut off their headsets.
Speaking of futility… I don’t understand why you guys have to be so rude to each other. Just discuss, don’t insult or ridicule. I am willing to wager that this childish bickering does not move any of you closer to Nirvana.
Please pardon my docility, I’m just not an excitable guy.
I’ve been playing video games for 20 years and will continue as long as I can. Keeps the mind and coordination sharp.
Admit it, when it comes to religion, you are so narrow minded you can look through a key hole with both eyes.
Spy out Christianity, it alone is the true religion…saying so isn’t a smear…its a statement of fact.
This is amazing. “you are so narrow minded because you don’t agree with my narrow minded ideas!” Too funny.
#18
“Anyone who turns the other cheek to you wants a schlong up his ying yang…without even the common courtesy of a reach around after you’re done.”
Does that also apply to the guy that gave that advice? The guy who lived his life turning the other cheek? The guy who your faith is based upon?
#24 It shows…in your diagnostic also.
#18 Jesus said turn the other cheek when insulted…not when attacked.
#25 I relish being the first to explain…there aren’t “versions” of the truth.
Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life, no one goes to the Father, apart from Him.
Being that is correct, Christianity alone is the truth that leads to everlasting life.
However, God will give all, including you, a chance in hell to believe in Christ, and be saved…
KJV 1 Peter 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. (1Pe 4:6 KJV)
Of course, its better to repent now, and believe…why go through hell first?
$0.02 worth
I agree with this man that video games can relief aggression, rather than promote it.
I am reminded of a graduate student’s study of hunters and spousal abuse. The student began the study thinking men who hunt would be more likely to abuse their wives since hunting is an aggressive sport. Imagine the surprise (and she even said she was surprised) when the study revealed the opposite: Men who hunt were much less likely to abuse their wives. Her conclusion was that the men who hunt found an outlet for their aggression.
I don’t know where these guys get the idea video cames relieve agression, not when I play.
However, God will give all, including you, a chance in hell to believe in Christ, and be saved…
Wow, not only do you know the correct religion but you also know my religious beliefs. Amazing…
#32 Incorrect…a false dilemma…your precise beliefs are irrelevant, immaterial and incompetent to whether you go to hell or not, what is relevant is whether you believe in the Name of the Son of God:
KJV Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Act 4:12 KJV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.
18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
(Joh 3:16-18 NAS)
#33 I misstated that, my knowing your precise belief is not required for me to predict whether you will go to hell…its only required I know you do not believe in the Name of the Son of God…i.e., that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the LORD YHWH the Son:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (Joh 20:31 KJV)
Alfred1, that’s my point. Where have I written anything about what I believe? How do you know if I am a Christian, Buddhist, Wiccan, or atheist?
#28,
So you consider being beaten to the point of near death and then set to hang on a cross to die just an insult?
I get quite a relief from Killin virtual Gnatsies!