I will be looking at posts
on the social media site Instagram that have been hash-tagged Dalai Lama or
Tenzin Gyatso to examine how Buddhist and non-Buddhist followers of this
religious leader, react to, respond to, and exemplify his teachings and portrayal
of the Buddhist Religion. I have chosen to use Instagram instead of Pinterest
because Instagram users showed a tendency to give textual more feedback than
the users of Pinterest.
This social media
platform, which is being used as my case study, focuses on allowing its users
to share experiences, ideas, and beliefs through photos and short videos. Users
can post either pictures, videos, or photos of texts, add a captions, tag other
users, add the location of the post, and share posts on other social media
sites on Instagram. Another feature this site possesses is the capability of
linking information by the use of hash-tags, “a word or phrase preceded by a
hash mark (#), used within a message to identify a keyword topic or topic of
interest and facilitate a search for it”, as defined by Dictionary.com.
This context allows
religion to be expressed not only through quotes and written interpretations of
religious texts and teachings, but also through visual expressions of religious
beliefs and practices by use of personal images. Instagram gives its users a
virtual medium on which to profess their beliefs and display how their religion
ties into their everyday lives.
Each person in the chosen
examples used commentary of a religious leader to help better their personal
lives. The primary message is that one
cannot benefit from religion by only reading or hearing a religious knowledge;
a person must also apply the learned religious knowledge to their life. Their
posts also serve as a teaching medium and inspiration source for others that
happen to view their pages.
Example #1
Time: 1:30pm 9/18/2013
User Name: tomorrowsmoment
Picture: The picture
consists of a screen shot of a post on the social media site
Facebook. It reads as follows.
Quote of the day:
“All major religious traditions
carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion, and forgiveness the
important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.” –Dalai Lama
No matter who or what you believe in we share one
thing in common: love, compassion, and forgiveness.
We are all equal on this level and if we practice
those traits we can live in harmony regardless of beliefs or race or
preferences.
Caption:
#eatcleantraindirty #quoteoftheday
This comes from the #dalailama and I feel it’s the #truth
Most #religions share three things in common: #love,
#compassion, and #forgiveness
If this is so then we as #humans all share those three
traits as well.
No matter what you believe in believe in those three
things. Go out an spread them to the world and see how much #harmony and #joy
will follow your heart.
Comments:
tomorrowsmoment
: #dalai #lama #quote #quotes #quotesofig
#instaquote #inspiration #motivational
tomorrowsmoment:
#namaste
tomorrowsmoment:
#buddhism
Likes: veganstina13, ally_sambazon,
syndromida, want_a_shoutout_23k
Example #2
Time: 11:45am 9/18/2014
User Name: weallshineon_
Picture: The picture
consists of text on a wrinkles sheet of paper as the background. It reads as
follows.
The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him the most
about humanity, answered:
“Man. Because he
sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices his money to
recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does
not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or
the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never
really lived.”
Caption: I’ve posted this
several times in the past but it’s too #true, so a great reminder #slowdown
#dalailama #money #health #onebody #treatitwell #healthiswealth
Comments:
nuttywheat : Its true &
sad. How do we teach our children to live differently when it seems the whole
is set on the path of consumerism & self enrichment? There was a news story
today about a Spanish man who found a $6 million lottery ticket (the winning
one) & he handed it in. When interviewed he said he put himself in the
shoes of the person who had lost it & thought how they would feel having
lost their ticket. He said he couldnt sleep if he kept it. This was on a lot of
news broadcasts on the BBC this morning. How can an act of compassion &
selflessness be world news? Is it so unusual?
stargazer314 : First time I have seen it and I love it so much
I screenshot it
stargazer314 : thank you!!!!<33333
weallshineon_ : @nuttywheat no.
That should be the normal and unfortunately we have seen less and less of it. He's
a role model for the rest of us! Those acts should be recognized I suppose to
set the precedent for the rest. I say spread the good news, enough of the scare
tactics etc but no it should not be so rare ❤ to you
weallshineon_ : @stargazer314 great!!!!
<333 it's a great point !
Likes: 40 likes
Example #3
User Name: breathinginyoga
Picture: The picture
consists of a woman in a yoga position, in a handstand with one leg at a
ninety-degrre angle on a wooden table and the other leg straight up in the air.
The woman, who is wearing gray colored workout clothes, and the table are both
on a wooden, railed in deck. A beautiful landscape consisting of a body of
water, trees, and the horizon are in the background.
Caption: there is no need
for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. my brain and my heart are my
temples; my philosophy is kindness. – Dalai Lama XIV #dailypractice #dalailama
#kindness #heart #yogaeverydamnday #yoga #yogadaily #practicedaily #handstand
#quote #mindfulness #whidbey #amrita #yogajoy
Comments: kristenmwebb:
@breathinginyoga love this!
Likes: 13
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