“The philosophy advocates accepting your karma but not being bound by it. We all have the power to change our lives and bring about transformations within,” explains Ouchi. The Nichiren sect of Buddhism says the potential for enlightenment lies within us but chanting is the path to actualise and reach it.

Among the followers, there are several examples of how chanting has transformed lives. Zayed Khan, 40, till recently was a hugely successful Delhi-based garment exporter, in partnership with a friend. Business started dipping and before he knew it, Khan had accumulated Rs 40 crore in debt with creditors parked on his doorstep 24x7. His relationship with his partner deteriorated. “I didn’t want to live, I just wanted to die,” says Khan. Sheer desperation drove him to take a friend’s advice. He joined a Buddhist group and started chanting. “Of course, it’s no miracle cure,” says Khan. “But slowly, I found an inner peace. Chanting gives me strength and it has become an important ritual in my daily life.” Khan has since paid back most of his debt and is currently resurrecting his business. He remains a devoted chanter.

Connecting to your higher spiritual self and finding happiness in urban India, where day-to-day life can be tough is a challenge that people are struggling with. However, confiding your problems to strangers or going for group therapy is still uncommon. “Unburdening yourself of emotional baggage is cathartic and an important step to enter the pure space of being,” says Chaitanya Keerti, head, Osho World.

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