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| Buddha and today's youth | | | Sonam Angmo
It takes an enormous effort for anyone to let go of one's material attachments and adopt an ascetic existence. We living in the twenty-first century have a dense material web cast around us. From our smart tablets to our air conditioners we simply cannot do without such material comforts. On the pious occasion of Budh Purnima , one then asks oneself, where have the values of Buddha, who championed simple and humble living gone?
The present day youth has very little patience to listen or understand the teachings of Buddha and other figures who dedicated their lives teaching and practicing ascetic norms. Many youngsters question the need for such ascetic and hence 'archaic values'? On the contrary, there is an urgent need to address the deep corruption that material means have produced. Many of us are gravitating towards a disillusioned existence plagued with shallow deeds and shallow diktats. The world has normalized the want for more , this desire to own more and more has given birth to societies that wave the flag of 'progress' but in reality cover up the hollow underbelly of insatiable human wants. Buddha and countless other sages' lives reveal the truth behind a person's 'eternal dissatisfaction'. Buddha said 'dukkha': that is 'restlessness', 'misery' is ever present in one's life journey, for nothing in this life is permanent. Buddhism is governed by this simple truth that in one's struggle to escape the cycle of 'dukkha', one gets caught up in the desire to seek pleasure through material objects and relationships. One constantly wrestles with one's desires which in the end do not bring any satisfaction or peace.
Today's youth remain tied to the hamster's wheel where the race to succeed rides high in their spirit. Some also are bitten by the idealist bug voicing to change the world. Sadly, after they get the wind of how the adult world operates, they become cynics or at worse become a part of those same worldly norms and defend its ways. Within the youth, there also exists a gnawing need to prove themselves; one's worth sadly, is pictured in how the world views them. There are very few who rise up to their convictions, and do not compromise on their principles. It doesn't seem fair to compartmentalize what drives today's youth, but, it is fairly evident that in this mad pursuit for recognition and validation, hollow selves emerge. The youth caught up in this delusion often find no succour in their lives.
Spiritual values since ages have been spinning out real wisdom for humanity. India is bestowed with the kernel of spirituality. The westerners' deep fascination and adoption of Buddhist teachings also highlight the misery and delusion that material living brings. Roaming around as ascetics they whisper that the inward journey is the most worthwhile. Today's youth stand to gain tremendously if they embrace such values. The youth need to reflect deeply on their true purpose in life. The need for introspection is critical to realize their infinite potential. The search for fulfillment commences through spirituality. Learning and living comes full circle when one's inner self is alive. Spirituality aids the self to embrace the sacral and the secular. Most often, 'being spiritual' is misinterpreted as 'being religious', although , both are linked by a common thread , however , 'being spiritual' doesn't necessitate any adherence to a belief system, but simply signifies a deep awareness about one's true self. There have been a few instances of Indian youth shunning their present lifestyle to adopt a monastic lifestyle and some treading off to the Himalayas to find peace and happiness. Recently, the organizing of spiritual retreats, confluences, seminars and workshops on spiritual development has overseen wide participation from the youth.
In the quest for material success and victory, Buddha's life honours a different quest. The youth have their right to choose which path to follow. |
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