Indians take to Buddhist chanting to alleviate urban stress

“I feel it just makes me a better human being, more humane,” says Gaurav Saboo, 34, a devout Hindu working at an international bank in New Delhi.

Buddhism, he says, “is a philosophy, a way of life,” and the chanting has brought a positive energy into his life.

Archi Sharma, a housewife who took up chanting a year ago, says she was “searching for some meaning” in her life when she heard about Buddhist chanting from friends.

Sharma, who chants twice a day between household chores and taking care of an ailing relative, said she saw no conflict between her family’s traditional Hindu beliefs and her chanting.

Many across Hindu-dominated India also include chanting as part of their yoga, and some Christian groups repeat chants.