The Korea's largest Buddhist organization said BTENS will help people find peace and solace through the religious method of meditation.
"Korea topped the suicide rate among OECD countries. We pondered what we can do about this as religious people," the group's leader Gusan told Aju Press. "Even though you are not a Buddhist, you can relieve stress through meditation. That's what we aim to promote."
Inspired by the ten great disciples of Buddha, the group's ten members were recruited among monks and nuns who are good at singing, composing, and playing gayageum or 12-stringed zither and other instruments.
Their debut in the form of a K-pop act appears to be an attempt to appeal particularly to younger people, promoting the religion.
Recently, comedian Yoon Sung-ho made headlines with his unique performance blending Buddha's teachings into electronic dance music, and also received his dharma name last December. A short clip of him performing in Taiwan went viral, garnering a whopping 2.49 million views on YouTube.
