Buddhist leader says video games are cathartic
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Sep 21st 2009 at 8:30PM }
"For me sometimes it can be a relief, a kind of decompression to just play some video games," the Karmapa explained. "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." Forget all the studies arguing this point -- when it comes to video games' therapeutic properties, we're inclined to believe the input of a professional meditator.
*It should be noted that there is a dispute over who is the 17th Karmapa. Trinley Thaye Dorje has also been recognized as the current Karmapa by some authorities. Maybe they could settle it once and for all in a proper match of Madden or something?
[Via Kotaku; image credit: Prince Roy]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bobby Kotick @ Sep 21st 2009 8:31PM
He must've played Guitar Hero 5.
Victor @ Sep 21st 2009 8:36PM
no. :D
Special Agent Steve @ Sep 21st 2009 8:44PM
Or, he thought about punching you in the face. That's what cools me down.
Maverick Saturn (Igor) @ Sep 21st 2009 9:29PM
I was thinking more along the lines of GTA
aristokrat @ Sep 22nd 2009 12:23AM
This guy goes to such great lengths to pretend to be Kotick. I can't even comprehend how that can be satisfying.
TreyIM @ Sep 21st 2009 8:35PM
Funny how I was explaining this to my friend who has a hubby who games a lot when he gets home from work.
I was saying how many a time, I can play a game or demo or sumthing just for about 10-15min or so and it gets me relaxed and re-focused. I used to do this afterwork when I knew I had multiple things to do and it helped me prioritize or figure things out, without even thinking about them.
I actually don't like when I spend more than an hour playing vid games because sometimes it can "take me out of reality" which I don't dig. It can be a rude awakening when u get your bearings back together and realize all the crap going on in your real life. Lmao!
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 21st 2009 8:37PM
It must suck to get t-bagged by a Tibetan monk.
-Vexx- @ Sep 21st 2009 9:07PM
Its always either me or you who says the clever thing
MystileArmor @ Sep 21st 2009 9:19PM
Is that what your mother told you, Vexx?
-Vexx- @ Sep 21st 2009 9:33PM
Ish wat my mommy tells mes everyday.
MRLN the Amazing @ Sep 21st 2009 8:38PM
It does NOT work for the Angry Video Game Nerd.
Special Agent Steve @ Sep 21st 2009 8:45PM
Or does it o.0? Maybe he'd just be the Angry Angry guy without video games.
CheeziePotato @ Sep 22nd 2009 2:07AM
That's because he plays SHITTY games
devilsei @ Sep 21st 2009 10:45PM
Not just shitty games, but the shitty games that suck ass!
charlie b. @ Sep 21st 2009 8:40PM
in before religious debate >_>
Premature ejaculation man @ Sep 21st 2009 8:43PM
My religion has better exclusives than yours.
ifalldownstairs @ Sep 21st 2009 8:44PM
yeah, well my religion has a lower failure rate!
Special Agent Steve @ Sep 21st 2009 8:44PM
Premature ejaculation is a religion? I'd hate to see what their services are like.
sonicspike41 @ Sep 21st 2009 8:47PM
Well I was going to argue for my religion, but then it got the RPOD and I had to say goodbye.
(red punch of death)
Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Sep 21st 2009 8:49PM
My religion has motion control. Take that.
GoldN @ Sep 21st 2009 8:50PM
Your religion sucks and has tons of shovelware. My religion has the best graphics!
HippoHero @ Sep 21st 2009 8:56PM
Video Game Atheist does not believe in motion controls and low failure rates.
The Dark Wayne @ Sep 21st 2009 9:06PM
if you preorder you get access to salvation a week early
Shmil @ Sep 21st 2009 9:16PM
My religion still promises things it can't deliver.
CaramelZappa @ Sep 21st 2009 9:26PM
Like 1080p prayers?
Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Sep 21st 2009 9:29PM
Caramelzappa, you're Asian?
XBL: xGeneral DEATHx PSN: Deeth82 [Planeteer | Power of General Hostility and Angst] @ Sep 22nd 2009 8:00AM
The one thing religion CAN deliver: LoLz at its expense.
Young_Nastyman @ Sep 21st 2009 8:41PM
I think he was playing the Brutal Legend demo to relax
scissors125 @ Sep 21st 2009 8:43PM
Raise your hand if you had to google what cathartic meant.
-raises hand-
Overlooking my slight stupidity, I agree.
Neebs @ Sep 21st 2009 8:46PM
I figured it out from reading the article.
sonicspike41 @ Sep 21st 2009 8:49PM
@Neebs
Likewise. I knew I'd heard it before, but I couldn't remember it. Seeing the context it was used in really helped.
cloud858rk @ Sep 21st 2009 10:35PM
"An agent for purging the bowels, especially a laxative."
Am I doing it right?
MaliceMajorE15 @ Sep 21st 2009 8:46PM
dudy jokes are always funny.
in medicine a cathartic is a substance that accelerates the defecation process and i haven't played a game like that since punisher on the psn, and ive heard stories about that g.i. joe game particularly the ps3 version
WiredKnight: Keeper of Threads @ Sep 21st 2009 9:04PM
Pretty sure they're using it as an adjective.
MaliceMajorE15 @ Sep 21st 2009 9:12PM
i know but im using a dudy joke. the article wouldnt make sense if they were actually talking of toilet aids
WiredKnight: Keeper of Threads @ Sep 21st 2009 9:49PM
Just checking.
vidGuy @ Sep 21st 2009 8:48PM
Well certain sects of Buddhism practice the art of Shikantaza, which literally means "just sitting." If you value just sitting for hours a day, I could see how video games would be a good hobby ;)
Shimrra @ Sep 21st 2009 8:51PM
Interesting I know someone at work who is deeply into this religion I am going to see how she feels about all this.
On some level I do agree with what he says at time of frustration, long day at work or just a bad day in general sometimes just gaming can relieve my stress.
vidGuy @ Sep 21st 2009 9:18PM
Buddhism is very much about recognizing and appreciating the world around you. Buddhist texts often focus on living in the moment and staying focused on reality. For that, I'd imagine that traditionalist Buddhists wouldn't think highly of video games, which typically involve fantasy worlds. Modern Buddhists are much more easy-going about this sort of thing though.
Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Sep 21st 2009 8:54PM
I thought that was the whole point of video games, to relieve stress.
Bradwart @ Sep 21st 2009 8:58PM
No, the whole point of video games is to prove you're better than everyone else. Oh, and to save the day.
vidGuy @ Sep 21st 2009 9:20PM
Video games are about figuring out which god-damned castle the princess is in before your character doesn't give a shit about getting laid anymore.
Batzarro @ Sep 21st 2009 10:16PM
The whole point is to get hit by a Sentinel ten times and die. Duh!
CaramelZappa @ Sep 21st 2009 8:56PM
Rez anyone?
Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Sep 21st 2009 8:59PM
I bet he plays Flower (My GOTY so far)
Josh @ Sep 21st 2009 8:59PM
+1 to this guy, I say
Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Sep 21st 2009 9:04PM
Buddhist's do not believe in reply failures.
Josh @ Sep 21st 2009 9:07PM
I meant the actual guy in the original article.
Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Sep 21st 2009 9:12PM
Oh... Well... ... Carry on.
Special Agent Steve @ Sep 21st 2009 9:15PM
This guy could be anyone. In theory, you just gave the entire world a +1.