“We don’t offer any solutions but at times we chant and pray for fellow members’ suffering to finish,” says Prachi Vaidya, 40, editor of Eternal Ganges Press that publishes books on spiritualism.

Vaidya has been practicing chanting for 12 years, is a group leader in her Housing Society in Delhi and has introduced several new people to it. When members are not comfortable talking about issues in the meeting, they sometimes confide only in the leader. “Over the years, I’ve heard so many painful stories on domestic abuse, alcoholism, depression. But I’ve seen how coping can become easier with chanting,” says Vaidya, quoting her own example of divorce.

Ruchi Asrani, 28, was devastated by her mother’s death six years ago. Recently married, unable to adjust to her new home and bereavement, she says she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown when her sister-in-law introduced her to chanting. “I’m definitely happier now and it became easier coming to terms with my mother’s loss,” she says. Asrani’s husband is also part of the chanting circuit now.

Of the members, over 10 per cent of the spouses become active chanters after they see the benefits on their partners and women members outnumber the men. Most members swear by the benefits of the group meetings, which they say foster a bond between people.

“When you’re having problems, there’s a general disconnect with friends and family,” says Vandana Jain, an English teacher at the British Council in Delhi. “This becomes a space to speak your mind.” Jain is an active chanter and has been part of the movement since 1988. She has started a peace education module, which translates the humanism of Nirichen Buddhism to children. Students of St Columbus and Don Bosco in Delhi are learning the value of non-violence through some innovative exercises. “Kids face stress like bullying and groupism. I think the earlier they understand how to deal with it, the better,” states Jain. The exercises involve giving kids a balloon and a pin and putting on music. The longer they can resist bursting the balloon, the better. “We’re telling them, it’s tougher to be non-violent, than it is to be violent. They’ve also started keeping a peace diary to record how often they get into fist fights,” smiles Jain.

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