Veenu Sandhu finds out what draws the urban middle-class to a movement based on the philosophy of a 13th century Buddhist sage
Twice every month, 18,000 to 20,000 people come together in small groups in different parts of Delhi to discuss their problems, share their experiences, “reach out” through “heart-to-heart” dialogue or study the philosophy of 13th century Japanese Buddhist sage, Nichiren Daishonin. Thousands more meet in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune and dozens of other cities across India. Among them are scientists, doctors, artists, engineers and retired government officers. About 60 per cent are less than 35 years old.
A growing number of well-educated, young and upwardly mobile men and women are seeking personal salvation through a variant of Buddhist practice that has become popular in urban middle-class India. A prominent new entrant to the “practice” is Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. She has been a Vipassana practitioner for over a decade and pursued an MA in Buddhist Studies. The philosophy behind this phenomenon is basic: the belief and the conviction that the power to change one’s life lies within oneself.
Carrying this philosophy to thousands in India is Bharat Soka Gakkai, which means “value creation society”. Registered as a peace, cultural and education organisation in January 1986, Bharat Soka Gakkai had only 1,000 members in 1992. “The number has swelled to 50,000,” says its director general, Naveena Reddi. Its parent organisation, Soka Gakkai International, which was founded in 1930 as a group of reformist educators, has over 12 million members across 190 countries.
What is it that makes Soka Gakkai so popular? What does it offer that even people averse to following any kind of ritual are turning to it? “Nichiren Buddhism, which Bharat Soka Gakkai practices, is based on the cause and effect philosophy, which is that the way you act or behave will have a certain effect on your environment. If you realise that, you can, by changing yourself, change your environment, whether it is in dealing with daily traffic jams or family troubles or work pressure,” says 28-year-old Neeta Iyer, a radio jockey with 94.3 Radio One. Iyer, who has been a member of Bharat Soka Gakkai for the last six years, says the philosophy is inwardly-directed and not person-centric and is based on the belief that “human revolution” in a single individual holds the power to change the world around that person.
“You don’t have to go to any temple. You don’t have to bow before any god. And you don’t have to give up on the way you live, like turn vegetarian,” she explains. “There is no conversion and there are no compulsions,” adds B S Das, former ambassador to Bhutan who has been a member of Bharat Soka Gakkai “for a long, long time”. “You can follow any religion and at the same time be a member,” adds Reddi. A practical philosophy which calls a person to draw upon his or her strength is what is attracting most young people. The organisation is open to everybody, barring politicians and those holding sensitive government posts, says Reddi.
* * * * *
More From This Section
“The youth want to know how to handle the growing contradictions in society,” says Das. “The idea is to show them how they can empower themselves to find the answers to their problems,” he adds. “There is no point in blaming anyone. You alone are responsible for your happiness. That is the crux,” says Iyer, who was working with Radio Mirchi in Pune when she attended a Bharat Soka Gakkai meeting with a friend “who was always happy, no matter what”. “Everybody was warm and happy at the meeting. I felt very wanted,” she recalls. Four years later, when her mother and later, father, were diagnosed with cancer, Iyer says life turned upside down. “But somehow there was always hope and a sense of happiness around us.” In those days, she adds, Bharat Soka Gakkai members became her family.
The strong community and support system the organisation offers is another draw. Besides the two monthly meetings, small groups of 10 to 35 members meet in their specific localities to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, the title of the Buddhist Lotus Sutra in Japanese. “The lotus is the only plant which has the flower and the fruit at the same time. This is symbolic and shows that the cause will have immediate effect,” explains a member. “You can chant alone at home or in a group, which is better because you are then more involved.”
Groups are localised and formed according to convenience. There is the “young women’s division” which has unmarried women as members and the “women’s division” comprising married women. A similar structure exists for men. The structure is based on the premise that each group will have concerns other members can empathise with. The neighbourhood approach also leads to greater involvement.
Then there are the “home visits” which, as Iyer puts it, is like a friend visiting you. Members visit each other’s homes every now and then and even look up a member who might not have shown up at the monthly meetings. “It’s reassuring to know people are there for you, especially if you are new to a city or going through a rough patch,” says Iyer. Everybody today needs an anchor, says Das, adding that the support system fills the void which many witness and also encourages people to find the strength and wisdom to stand on their feet. Its contemporary approach, he says, is what strikes a chord.