Sample of Memes

My study focuses on "Buddhist styled youths". I search Chinese character of 佛系青年(Buddhist styled youths) or 佛系(Buddhist styled) on Google because Google can not find those memes when searching in English. All the memes I will study were posted after December 2017.  Visual expressions of Buddhist elements (such as cross-legged gesture, golden lights, lotus, etc.) must be shown in samples. Moreover, these memes should be subtitled with descriptions of a life style or attitude. Some of the subtitles even start with "Buddhist styled...". 

 The expression of Buddhist elements is a key character of Buddhist styled memes especially when the subtitles do not mention "Buddhist styled". In addition, a group of people with particular life style is named as "Buddhist styled youth". So  "Buddhist styled" is actually a description of a series of attitudes.These criteria guarantees that the samples I select is related to "Buddhist styled" theme.  

 My research question is "How does Buddhism relate to Buddhist styled youths memes?" From the visual part, I can compare the elements and character in memes with Buddhism sculptures or printings to find the relationship. From the text part, I will compare Buddhist styled life style (in subtitles) and Buddhism doctrines or concepts. 

 Besides, since there are too many Buddhist styled youth memes but I will only study 10 of them, I will try to avoid repetition in my samples. If there are same subtitles with different pictures or same pictures with similar subtitles, I will only choose 1-2 memes from them.

 In summary, there are four criteria in my sampling: 
  1. visual expressions of Buddhist elements
  2. subtitles of description of a life style or attitude
  3. some with “Buddhist styled…” titled (not necessary)
  4. Avoid repetition: choose 1-2 memes from same subtitles with different pictures or same pictures with similar subtitles
Finally, I post 3 of these memes and explain how each matches the criteria above. 
BUDDHIST STYLED MAKING MONEY
DON’T STRUGGLE. WEALTH WILL COME WITH KARMA

 I AM PROUD OF BEING THE TOP ONE. THE LAST ONE IS GOOD TOO.

(From left to right) Life is short. Don’t pursue victory. Never struggling. Let it be. With it or without it, all is fine.

All those memes include Buddhist elements such as cross-legged gesture, golden lights, lotus, incense, wooden knocker, peace face and kasaya(criterion1). The first meme is titled with "Buddhist styled... "(criterion3). Subtitles of the three memes conveys attitudes of open, casual, no desire to make progress or even lazy(criterion2). These memes do not repeat each other visually or in text.(criterion4)

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