Buddhist Leader Defends Video Games!

[sevin0seven]

Video games, along with any popular new medium, has had its fair share of opponents over the years, but who could have guessed a Buddhist leader would be one of its defenders?



In an interview during his visit to Delhi, India, senior Buddhist leader Ogyen Trinley Dorje told a reporter that he viewed video games as emotional therapy, an outlet to alleviate stress and 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."

WOW

[PharmaceuticalCowboy]

Very nice!

[puke_face]

That is very interesting, thanks for posting.

[Ziggy]

I'll agree with the point, but also point out that there are some video games that give you stress and make you aggressive! I don't know about you guys, but some times video games make me want to punch holes in the walls and smash the controllers. Often time that same game usually does the opposite.

[Hatta]

I know I've reached a zen like state more than once while playing video games.

[PharmaceuticalCowboy]

I'll agree with the point, but also point out that there are some video games that give you stress and make you aggressive! I don't know about you guys, but some times video games make me want to punch holes in the walls and smash the controllers. Often time that same game usually does the opposite.

I don't let games do this to me anymore. They are just games, you know, for fun. Just walk away!

[sevin0seven]

I'll agree with the point, but also point out that there are some video games that give you stress and make you aggressive! I don't know about you guys, but some times video games make me want to punch holes in the walls and smash the controllers. Often time that same game usually does the opposite.

I don't let games do this to me anymore. They are just games, you know, for fun. Just walk away!

or you could always change to another game. For me, it's part of the challenge. I don't go crazy over something I can't pass or beat. It's actually more rewarding when you finally accomplished it. I keep reminding my boy who gets mad and cry over a game he can't beat. I keep reminding him it's just a game. I could understand that his "into" the virtual world of emotion but hey I've been there before when I was a kid. Just pinch yourself and realize you can always press continue and try again. Another thing my boy does is blame the "game" itself. I asked him, who is holding the controller? me So who is in controller? I am, so it's not the game fault that is not jumping right or going in a wrong direction. Everything you can do and can't do is all part of the fun. I told him once that it took me over 20 tries to finally beat one game when I was a kid (Castlevania IV), as you keep trying and trying you figure something out and the games get more clearer and AH! you beat it! I remember the joy I had when I was the only sibling to only beat Castlevania IV at that time. From there on, I knew I was a "Gamer".

[Hatta]

I told him once that it took me over 20 tries to finally beat one game when I was a kid (Castlevania IV), as you keep trying and trying you figure something out and the games get more clearer and AH! you beat it!

If you're lucky. Some games you keep trying, and keep learning more about what doesn't work, until there's nothing left.

[Ack]

Or in some games, you don't get the chance to continue over and over again. in particular, I'm thinking of the final boss fight in Samurai Shodown III, where if you lose, that's it. You have to start all over again.

[SpaceBooger]

I'll agree with the point, but also point out that there are some video games that give you stress and make you aggressive! I don't know about you guys, but some times video games make me want to punch holes in the walls and smash the controllers. Often time that same game usually does the opposite.

Sometimes I feel as if that is only true for us retrogamers and that feeling died off with the NES. Today's games don't seem to frustrate me as much (other than control and camera angles) - I don't know if they are easier now, life bars are bigger, or continues are too plentiful.