Generation Y and the challenges confronted by the inherent ideals of Sri Lanka: A Buddhist explanation

Abstract

Post Graduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya “Generation Y” is the human population whoseyears of birth range from the early 1980s to the early 2000s. This is also known as Millennials or the Millennial Generation. Generation Y consist approximately of 70 million of the total world population and it is the growing segment of today’s work force. They grew up in the backdrop ofadvanced technology and rely on it to perform their jobs better. They are equipped with computers, cell phones and other mechanical gadgets to perform their tasks efficiently andalso like to network through webinars rather than conventional seminars. Under circumstances higher percentage of today’s youth has invariably been compelled to limit their lives to a more digitized worldand spend most of their time experiencing(technological innovation) ( By doing so, their scope of imagination is curtailed)what some others have invented as software by ruining their own thinking power in innovating new concepts. We notice deferent western explanations on Gen-Y considering its basic characteristics. William Strauss & Neil Howe explain Gen-Y as “The next Great Generation” with civic minded personalities where as Jean Twenge criticizes that opinion saying Gen-Y shows increasing Narcissism based on personality surveys. In the Buddhist doctrine time and space are treated as covenants (pannaththi). Hence the fundamental categorization of Gen-Y, in the west, as a special clan become null and void. Significant percentage of today’s youth are not grounded intheir traditional and hereditary values.Hence, Gen -Y has taken a contrary stance in bridging their past to the future. This has lead the nation to irreversible lossof its precious heritages such as languages, rituals, customs, traditionalindigenous knowledge...etc.