Buddhism Becoming Increasingly Popular Among City Youth

[bambi]

I really love the topic of this exciting and uplifting news. The monks and the organisers are really doing a great 'job' bringing Buddhism to many especially to the young people. In times like now, many are stressed from studies and work. Especially in cities that are big and hectic. Therefore, for them to learn about Buddhism and meditation, will definitely calm them in many ways. I hope that they grow and spread into many more cities!

Buddhism, the globally-spread religion, is now slowly gaining popularity among the youth of Hyderabad. Young students and employees, especially those in the information technology sector, are showing greater interest in the teachings of the Buddha.

“I do not call Buddhism a religion. It is the greatest philosophy of life which helps us achieve enlightenment through Vipassana (meditation),” says Devendar, who works for a multinational company in the city. He is a frequent visitor to the two major Buddha Viharas in the city.

Many young employees like Devendar started practising Buddhism and became active members of Yuva Buddhist Group (YBG)of Hyderabad which was founded by a city youth, Rajesh Suthari, to promote Buddhism in the city.

YBG organises various activities to reach out to the local youth and teach them Buddhism. Its members also guide those who want to learn more about Buddhism. Two major Buddhist temples in the city, Ananda Buddha Vihara Trust at Mahendra Hills and Siddhartha Buddha Vihara Trust at New Bowenpally, both in Secunderabad, are now the new weekend destinations for many young students and employees.

The monks there teach the basic tenets of Buddhism to visitors who are not only interested in learning about the religion but also want to convert themselves to Buddhism. Both the Viharas have been witnessing a consistent growth in the number of visitors for the past few years.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/Buddhism-Becoming-Increasingly-Popular-Among-City-Youth/2014/10/13/article2475372.ece?

[Tenzin Malgyur]

Bambi, I share your feelings on this uplifting news and I would also like to add that India is the country where Prince Siddhata Gautama gained enlightenment more than 2000 years ago. It is not surprising that the city youths are seeking some calm and peace due to the stress of a highly competitive environment be they at work or at the university.
With the existence of the two Viharas, it is hope that this is a starting point where Buddha's doctrines are able to reach into the lifes of these young people and guide them.

[pinecone]

India has been regarded as one of the country in the world that has the most concentration numbers of religions.
 However, Buddhism has never been the most preferred religion as other religions were spread by wars and blood shed to compel followers. The reason being is that Buddhism has always been a peaceful religion. Fortunately, King Asoka adopted Buddhism after he saw the plunder of Kalinga, he was so deeply moved that he vowed not to wage another war and send his son and daughter to the east to spread Buddhism.  I believe dharma seeds have been initially been planted in them and at this moment, they are pursuing their spiritual path during this degenerate era . Rejoice for all the city youths and may their actions and practice inspire other youths to follow the same path .

[Klein]

This is the same in western countries. People are becoming more educated and information is so easily accessible nowadays. All of us want to understand what we are being taught. Accepting something out of blind faith doesn't seem to appeal much to the educated because it doesn't help overcome our feelings and resolve immediate problems that are real and tangible.

Buddhism is very pragmatic and logical. We can immediately apply what we learn and get results that we can see. In Buddhism, there is no miracle because everything is governed by karma. If we understand how karma works we will also know the antidotes to the effects of negative karma. Only those who are ignorant claim that there are miracles.

[RedLantern]

We see that there are many different aspects of Buddhism that people find attractive and appealing, but all of them derive from the basic wish to find in Buddhism methods that will help us to overcome problems in life and suffering. And regardless of what draws us to find some way of dealing with life through Buddhism, what is so wonderful about the Buddha’s teachings that everybody likes is that it actually offers us methods to follow that are intended to help us to overcome problems. It’s a living tradition with two and a half thousand years of experience, and there are still people who practice it and gain results. And so it’s just a matter of actually following these methods; it’s all laid out. And not just one method, but many, many different types of methods that Buddha taught upon the realization that everybody’s an individual and different people find different methods more useful. This is something that people find very wonderful, because within the whole variety of Buddhist methods, like having a very large menu at a restaurant, people usually find something in them; and if they try one thing and it doesn’t suit them, there are many other things that are available. And the fact that we live in the Information Age means that a larger and larger number of these methods are available to us, no matter where we live.
It is great to know that these youths are practicing Buddha's teachings and may many be inspired by their actions.

[Kim Hyun Jae]

Buddhism is not just a religion but a way of life and philosophy. It is also a science that can be proven through logic. Buddhism involves active participation in our thoughts, our mind and our experience. Once we embrace Buddhism and experience the result of the teachings, we wouldn't want any other belief system that does not bring us love, compassion, happiness and peace.

[pgdharma]

India is the motherland of Buddhism and its good to know that it is becoming increasingly popular among the city youth.  Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development, it is practical and logical. As people are becoming more educated and information easily available, through understanding they will find this practice appealing as it teaches practical methods which enable people to use the methods to transform themselves and be responsible for their lives.

[maricisun]

Buddhism is about love and compassion and it's great to know that it is popular among city youth. More people should be inspired by them and choose this as their spiritual path and practice.

[Rihanna]

This is indeed uplifting news as generally youths are more inclined/attracted to joining a church.

This really goes back to the point about how young people need to feel like they belong. I think what Buddhist  community leaders elsewhere can do is to really work on how to make young people feel welcomed. And then how to connect with them over time, not only welcoming or taking an interest in them, but then also creating more social activities or more social environment particularly for young people to meet other young people who might be coming into that community so that they begin to form these peer relationships. These Buddhist leaders can start by creating the space and to organize ways for young people to come together in the larger setting of a community in order to create a feeling of belonging.  This is something which I feel is still lacking in most Buddhist communities.