Buddha Purnima 2025: Indian Gen Z highlights how Buddha's principles resonate with them

Buddha Purnima is being observed on May 12 today. Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

For centuries, Gautama Buddha's teachings on compassion, mindfulness, and detachment have inspired countless individuals around the world. Beyond religious observations, and in a society struggling with senseless violence, millions often turn to Buddhist philosophy in pursuit of inner peace and solace.

Every year, people celebrate Buddha Purnima, or Gautam Buddha's birthday, during the month of Vaishaka. This year, it is being observed on May 12 today. While many people may not be aware of the intricacies of Buddhist philosophies, the fundamental questions around identity and purpose are enduring that our contemporary urban societies aren't designed to resolve.

In their quest of navigating the anxieties and stressors of urban livelihood, even Gen Z are adapting practical lessons for modern lives from ancient wisdom. Mindfulness is not restricted to a trend anymore; it is a philosophy that permeates every aspect of life, and the significance of compassion when people can engage in hateful behaviour anonymously has never been more.

This Buddha Purnima, mid-day dives into how Generation-Z or Gen-Z as they are popularly called are finding relevance and resonance with through surprising and meaningful ways in Buddha's teachings as they navigate the pressures of social media, mental health challenges, and the search for purpose.

"We forget that everything - our thoughts, moods, even the roles we play - is always changing"
"The more I actually pay attention to myself, the less I feel like there's one solid me," admits social media manager B Pradheeksha. She contrasts the Buddhist understanding of the fluid self with the contemporary mindset of establishing and maintaining a fixed identity. "In this world where everyone's trying to ‘figure themselves out,' we forget that everything - our thoughts, moods, even the roles we play - is always changing. There's no real fixed identity. Who I am today is because of what happened yesterday. But how often do we just sit with ourselves and ask: What do I really want? What truly matters to me beyond all the noise? We're always chasing what's outside, looking outward instead of inward," she adds.

So how does the 27-year-old navigate it all? "Mindfulness, for me, it's like a pause button. It lets me watch everything happen without needing to cling to it or panic. And when we start to really see our actions, we begin to take responsibility, not because we have to, but from a calm place. And when we act from that space, life just feels more right, not just for us, but for everyone around us," she shares.

Pradheeksha recalls her journey of encountering Buddhist wisdom on Facebook, "Everyone, at some point, goes through that 'Who am I? What am I doing here?' thing, right? For me, that existential crisis hit when I was around 15. I started questioning everything - my feelings, my thoughts, what I was doing, even the people around me. It was a need to understand, 'What is all of this?' I wanted to identify what I was feeling, to put it in categories and make sense of it." This need spiralled into her trying to figure out where everything inside her came from. Luckily, my parents gave her internet access, and she stumbled into it. She highlights, "When you search for quiet or stillness online, it almost always shows you Buddha. Back then, Facebook was full of Buddha quotes, often the same ones over and over. That's where it started for me. From there, I went deeper - old teachings, blogs, vlogs, books. And slowly, those heavy questions started to get answers. One thing I've realised, whether it's the internet or ancient philosophy: the answer to your question probably existed way before you did. You just have to ask the right one to find the piece that fits."

‘I truly believe everything is connected'
Graphic designer Rudesh Dangre proclaims, "For me, following Buddha isn't just about therapy, meditation, or following some trend." The 27-year-old tells us that he has grown up with Buddhist teachings but isn't inclined towards traditional practices, "I come from a Buddhist background, and I've been connected to these teachings since childhood. Still, I don't sit in long prayers or read a lot of books - I'm not that kind of follower."

Dangre's understanding of Buddhist teachings is practical and focused on ethical conduct rather than rigorous religious practices, "What I've learned from Buddha is simple: live a simple life, don't lie, be humble, help others - just trying to be a good human being, you know? I see it a lot through the lens of karma. I truly believe everything is connected - if you do something good, good comes back to you. And when good things happen, it really brings me peace from within. That's how Buddha's way has shaped me and how I see things."

The 27-year-old has had his share of struggles with stress and anxiety. "It's not like I've got it all figured out. I can't always control my emotions which is where mindfulness can be helpful. It isn't easy to achieve, and it's not a shortcut. But I believe the path is there. It just takes practice and a whole lot of patience," he concludes.

‘Buddhism spread because there was a need for compassion in society'
In a world that can sometimes feel competitive or even harsh, creative strategist Harshita Chintapalli believes the role of compassion - a central aspect of Buddhist philosophy is immense. "I really feel like Buddhism spread across the world because there was a need for compassion in society back then, and honestly, that's why coming back to it feels so relaxing and reassuring now. It's so easy to get caught up in anger and hate these days, but when I meditate, it gives me that space to just be with my thoughts and process things." For Chintapalli, a big part of it is recognising that need for compassion - both for herself when she is struggling and for others, especially in online spaces where things can get really competitive and sometimes even cruel," she shares.

When asked which of Buddha's core ideas resonate with her, the 23-year-old explains, "While I haven't followed Buddhism religiously, meditation has been a constant for me since my teens, and that's where my perspective comes from. The core of what I've learned is about ‘the purpose'- really understanding yourself, your present, and even your past, almost to the point where you see yourself as a tool that can contribute to humanity. Ideas like interconnectedness definitely resonate with that sense of purpose, making you feel like your actions matter in a bigger picture. And that inner peace you find through meditation? It gives you a clearer lens to see that purpose and navigate the search for meaning."