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The Indian Buddhist revival is a modern Buddhist movement in India, largely inspired by Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. As a popular movement, the Buddhist revival began on October 14, 1956 when Ambedkar, born in a Hindu Untouchable community converted to Buddhism along with nearly 400,000 followers. Buddhism (also known as Buddha Dharma, Pali: बुद्ध धम्म, the teachings of the awakened one) is a dharmic, non-theistic religion, a way of life, a practical philosophy, and arguably a form of psychology. ... Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (April 14, 1891 or 1892 - December 6, 1956) was the most prominent Indian Untouchable leader of the 20th century. ... October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Untouchable may mean: Dalit (outcaste), formerly or derogatively, populations of India and Nepal outside the caste system Untouchable, a novel of Mulk Raj Anand The Untouchables, the Treasury agent team led by Eliot Ness featured in the self-named book, television series, and motion picture. ...

Origins

At the beginning of the 20th century, Buddhism was all but dead in India^[1], the land of its origin. Certain tribal groups in Bengal continued to follow Buddhism, as did peoples in Ladakh and Sikkim where Tibetan culture was influential, but these groups were on the margins of Indian society. Historical research and increased contact with the rest of the Buddhist world, however, led to renewed interest in Buddhism. Thinkers such as Iyothee Thass, Brahmananda Reddy, and Dharmananda Kosambi began to discuss it in very favourable terms. During the 1930's, Ambedkar, who declared in 1935 his intention to leave Hinduism because he believed it perpetuated caste injustices, became interested in Buddhism as an alternative. After publishing a series of books and articles arguing that Buddhism was the only way for the Untouchables to gain equality, Ambedkar publicly converted on October 14, 1956 in Nagpur. He took the three refuges and five precepts from a Buddhist monk in the traditional manner and then in his turn administered them to the 380,000 of his followers that were present. Ambedkar would die less than two months later, just after finishing his definitive work on Buddhism. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Bengal, known as Bôngo (Bengali: বঙ্গ), Bangla (বাংলা), Bôngodesh (বঙ্গদেশ), or Bangladesh (বাংলাদেশ) in the Bengali language, is a region in the northeast of South Asia. ... Ladakh (Ladakhi: ལདཁ , Tibetan: ལ་དྭགས་, Hindi: लद्दाख़, Urdu: لدّاخ; IPA: , land of high passes) is a region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in Northern India sandwiched between the Karakoram mountain range to the north and the Himalayas to the south. ... Sikkim (also Sikhim) (Hindi: सिक्किम) is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayas. ... This article is becoming very long. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link is to a full 1930 calendar). ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Hinduism (Sanskrit: , , also known as , ) is a religion that originated on the Indian subcontinent. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Concern has been expressed that this article or section is missing information about: Detailed information on the citys localities and urban economy (See discussion page). ... The Triratna or Three Jewels symbol, on a Buddha footprint. ... Pancasila or pañca-sila is the fundamental code of Buddhist ethics, willingly undertaken by lay followers of Gautama Buddha. ...

The 22 Vows of Ambedkarite Buddhists

After receiving ordination from Buddhist monk Bhadant U Chandramani, on 14th October 1956 at Nagpur, Ambedkar gave dhamma diksha to his followers. The ceremony included 22 vows given to all new converts after Three Jewels and Five Precepts. On 16th October 1956, Ambedkar performed another mass religious conversion ceremony at Chanda . The twenty-two vows are as follows: In Hinduism, Chanda is a monster that Chamunda Devi killed. ...

1) I shall have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh nor shall I worship them.

2) I shall have no faith in Rama and Krishna who are believed to be incarnation of God nor shall I worship them.

3) I shall have no faith in ‘Gauri’, Ganapati and other gods and goddesses of Hindus nor shall I worship them.

4) I do not believe in the incarnation of God.

5) I do not and shall not believe that Lord Buddha was the incarnation of Vishnu. I believe this to be sheer madness and false propaganda.

6) I shall not perform ‘Shraddha’ nor shall I give ‘pind-dan’.

7) I shall not act in a manner violating the principles and teachings of the Buddha.

8) I shall not allow any ceremonies to be performed by Brahmins.

9) I shall believe in the equality of man.

10) I shall endeavor to establish equality.

11) I shall follow the ‘noble eightfold path’ of the Buddha.

12) I shall follow the ten ‘paramitas’ prescribed by the Buddha.

13) I shall have compassion and loving kindness for all living beings and protect them.

14) I shall not steal.

15) I shall not tell lies.

16) I shall not commit carnal sins.

17) I shall not take intoxicants like liquor, drugs etc.

18) I shall endeavor to follow the noble eightfold path and practice compassion and loving kindness in every day life.

19) I renounce Hinduism, which is harmful for humanity and impedes the advancement and development of humanity because it is based on inequality, and adopt Buddhism as my religion.

20) I firmly believe the Dhamma of the Buddha is the only true religion.

21) I believe that I am having a re-birth.

22) I solemnly declare and affirm that I shall hereafter lead my life according to the principles and teachings of the Buddha and his Dhamma.

Brahma (written Brahmā in IAST) (Devanagari ब्रह्मा, pronounced as ) is the Hindu God (deva) of creation, and one of the Hindu Trinity - Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari , with honorific Shri Vishnu; , ), (also frequently referred to as Narayana) is the most popularly worshipped form of God in Hinduism [1]. Within the Vaishnava tradition he is viewed as the Ultimate Reality or Supreme God (similarly to Shiva within Shaivism). ... This article is about the Hindu God. ... Lord Rama (center) with wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman. ... Krishna with Radharani, 18th C Rajasthani painting Krishna (कृष्ण in Devanagari, in IAST ), according to various Hindu traditions, is the eighth avatar of Vishnu. ... Dakshayani In Hinduism, Dakshayani is one of the daughters of Prajapati Daksha and his wife Prasuti. ... Popular image of Ganesh In Hinduism, Ganesha (Gaṇeśa, lord of the hosts, also spelled Ganesa and sometimes referred to as Ganesh in Hindi, Bengali and other Indian vernaculars) is the god of wisdom, intelligence, education and prudence. ... Shraddha are the funeral rites and funeral offerings for the dead among the Hindus. ... A Brahmin (anglicised from the Sanskrit word IAST ; Devanagari ), also known as Vipra, Dvija, Dvijottama (best of the Dvijas), (god on Earth) is a member of an upper caste within Hindu society. ... The Noble Eightfold Path (Sanskrit Ä€ryo ṣṭāṅgo mārgaḥ , Pāli Ariyo aá¹­á¹­haá¹…giko maggo) of Buddhism, as taught by the Buddha Śākyamuni, is the way to the cessation of suffering, the fourth part of the Four Noble Truths. ... Pāramitā (Sanskrit) or Parami (Pāli): Perfection or Transcendent. In Buddhism, the Paramitas refer to the perfection or culmination of certain practices. ... A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical that alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness, or behaviour. ... Spirits redirects here. ... Oral medication Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world. ... Ûæ:For the Doctor Who character, see Compassion (Doctor Who). ... Hinduism (Sanskrit: , , also known as , ) is a religion that originated on the Indian subcontinent. ... The word dharma (Sanskrit; धर्म in the Devanagari script) or dhamma (Pali) is used in most or all philosophies and religions of Indian origin, Dharmic faiths, namely Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma), Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. ... Media:Example. ... The word dharma (Sanskrit; धर्म in the Devanagari script) or dhamma (Pali) is used in most or all philosophies and religions of Indian origin, Dharmic faiths, namely Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma), Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. ...

Hindu criticism

Hindu critics have argued that efforts to convert Hindus to Ambedkarite Buddhism are political stunts rather than sincere commitments to social reform^[2].

Distinctive interpretation

Ambedkar's Buddhism seemingly differs from that of those who accepted by faith, who 'go for refuge' and accept the canon. This much is clear from its basis: it does not accept in totality the scriptures of the Theravada, the the Mahayana, or the Vajrayana. The question that is then clearly put forth: is a fourth yana, a Navayana, a kind of modernistic Enlightenment version of the Dhamma really possible within the framework of Buddhism?[3]

Most Indian Buddhists espouse an eclectic version of Buddhism, primarily based on Theravada, but with additional influences from Mahayana and Vajrayana. On many subjects, they give Buddhism a distinctive interpretation. Of particular note is their emphasis on Shakyamuni Buddha as a political and social reformer, rather than merely as a spiritual leader. They point out that the Buddha required his monastic followers to ignore caste distinctions, and that he was criticical of the social inequality that existed in his own time. Ambedkar's followers do not believe that a person's unfortunate conditions at birth are the result of previous karma. The Buddhist scriptures themselves do not teach that birth into a high social position is a sign of merit^{[citation needed]}, and the Ambedkarite interpretation has been defended by reference to the various Suttas in which the Buddha teaches that some are born into high social position "only for their own destruction, as a hollow tree grows high only to crumble down", etc.^{[citation needed]} Conversely, many other Buddhists are uncomfortable with some of the liberties Ambedkar took in re-fashioning the four noble truths to have a direct social message. Image File history File links Cquote1. ... Image File history File links Cquote2. ... Theravada (Pāli: theravāda; Sanskrit: sthaviravāda; literally, the Way of the Elders) is the oldest surviving Buddhist school, and for many centuries has been the predominant religion of Sri Lanka (about 70% of the population[1]) and continental Southeast Asia (parts of southwest China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia... Relief image of the bodhisattva Kuan Yin from Mt. ... Chinese :   金剛乘   jin gang cheng A mandala used in Vajrayana Buddhist practices. ... Standing Buddha, ancient region of Gandhara, northern Pakistan, 1st century CE. Gautama Buddha was a South Asian spiritual leader who lived between approximately 563 BCE and 483 BCE. Born Siddhartha Gautama in Sanskrit, a name meaning descendant of Gotama whose aims are achieved/who is efficacious in achieving aims, he... A Buddhist Monk in Sri Lanka In Pāli, a bhikkhu (male) or bhikkhuni (female) is a fully ordained Buddhist monk. ... Karma(Sanskrit: from the root , to do, [meaning deed] meaning action, effect, destiny) means (the result of) action, generally taken as a term that comprises the entire cycle of cause and effect. ... Prosperity theology or Prosperity doctrine is the doctrine that prosperity and success in business is external evidence of Gods favor. ... The Four Noble Truths (Pali: Chattari Arya Sachchhani, Chinese: 四聖諦 Sìshèngdì), being among the most fundamental Buddhist teachings, appear many times throughout the most ancient Buddhist texts, the Pali Canon. ...

Buddhism in India after Ambedkar

The Buddhist movement was somewhat hindered by Dr. Ambedkar's death so shortly after his conversion. It did not receive the immediate mass support from the Untouchable population that Ambedkar had hoped for. Division and lack of direction among the leaders of the Ambedkarite movement have been an additional impediment. The Buddhist revival remains concentrated in two states: Ambedkar's native Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. According to the 2001 census, there are currently 7.95 million Buddhists in India^[1], at least 5.83 million of whom are Buddhists in Maharashtra^[1]. This makes Buddhism the fifth-largest religion in India and 6% of the population of Maharashtra, but less than 1% of the overall population of India. Ambedkarite Buddhist leaders, however, claim that these numbers are inaccurate because of irregularities in the census and because many private Buddhists refrain from publicly converted for fear of sanctions. These leaders argue that the actual numbers are considerably higher. India is subdivided into twenty-eight states and seven union territories; the states and territories are themselves further subdivided. ... Maharashtra (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र mahārāṣṭra, literally: Great Nation; IPA: )( ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Uttar Pradesh (Hindi: , Urdu: ‎, translation: Northern Province, IPA: ,  ), also popularly known by its abbreviation U.P. It is the most populous and fifth largest state in the Union of India. ... A Muslim couple is being wed in India, even as a Hindu man takes his ritual bath in the river. ... Maharashtra (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र mahārāṣṭra, literally: Great Nation; IPA: )( ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by...

One of the more prominent Indian Buddhist leaders in recent years has been Udit Raj^[4] (formerly Ram Raj). Raj, also a political activist, organized a large mass conversion on November 4, 2001 where he gave the 22 vows, but the event met with active opposition from the government. Udit Raj (born Ram Raj 1st Jan 1958, Ramnagar, Distt. ... November 4 is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 57 days remaining. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ...

The Tamil Nadu and Gujarat governments passed new laws in 2003 to ban "forced" religious conversions. These laws were later withdrawn due to heavy opposition^{[citation needed]}. Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Gujarāt (GujarātÄ«: , IPA: ,  ) is the most industrialized state in the Republic of India with 19. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Over the last fifty years several thousand people from different castes have converted to Buddhism in ceremonies including the twenty-two vows. Hundreds converted to Buddhism in ceremonies on October 2, 2006. Furthermore, on 14th October 2006 hundreds of people converted from Hinduism to Buddhism in Gulburga in Karnatak State.

Hyderabad mass conversion

A report from the The Guardian UK daily says that some Hindus have converted to Buddhism. Buddhist monks from the UK and the U.S. attended the ceremonies in India. In response, Hindu nationalists have asserted that Dalits should concentrate on illiteracy and poverty rather than looking for new religions.^[5]. A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by...

2006 Conversions

Reports from Buddhist sources have claimed that "thousands of people" from the Dalit community have converted to Buddhism in 2006.^[6]. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ...

Post-Ambedkarite Buddhist leaders

Bhadant Nagarjun Surai Sasai

Sasai was born in Okayama, Japan, in 1934 as Minoru Sasai^[7]. In 1955 he went to Thailand, where he studied Vipassana meditation. He went to India in 1966 and met Nichidatsu Fuji, whom he helped with the Peace Pagoda at Rajgir. He fell out with Fuji, however, and started home, but, by his own account, was stopped by a dream in which a figure resembling Nagarjuna appeared and said, “Go to Nagpur.” There he met Wamanrao Godbole, the person who had organized the conversion ceremony for Dr. Ambedkar in 1956. When he saw a photograph of Dr. Ambedkar at Godbole’s home, he realized that it was Ambedkar who had appeared in his dream. At first, Nagpur folk considered Surai Sasai very strange. Then he began to greet them with “Jai Bhim,” (victory to Ambedkar) and to build viharas. In 1987 a court case to deport him on the grounds that he had overstayed his visa was dismissed, and he was granted Indian citizenship. Surai Sasai is one of the main leaders of the campaign to free the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya from Hindu control. Rajgir is an ancient town, and has reference in Mahabharata, Buddhist and Jain texts. ... A statue depicting Nagarjuna at the Samye Ling Monastery, Dumfriesshire, Scotland Nāgārjuna (నాగార్జున in Telugu, 龍樹 in Chinese) (c. ... Mahabodhi Temple The Mahabodhi Temple is a Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, the location where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment. ...

S. N. Goenka

S. N. Goenka is a meditation teacher trained in Burma who has an active following in modern India.^[8]. Goenka plans to build a stupa. The most significant part of this structure is that it will be more than twice as large as the presently largest dome structure in the world, namely the Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur in India.^{[citation needed]} The stones are to be placed to form a load bearing dome structure without supporting pillars inside the hall.^[9] Sri Satya Narayan Goenka (born 1924) is a leading lay teacher of Vipassana meditation and the principal Dhamma heir of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. ...

Kanshi Ram

In 2002, Kanshi Ram, a popular out-caste political leader from a Sikh religious background, announced his intention to convert to Buddhism on October 14, 2006, the fiftieth anniversary of Ambedkar's conversion. He intended for 20,000,000 of his supporters to convert at the same time. Part of the significance of this plan was that Ram's followers include not only Untouchables, but persons from a variety of castes, who could significantly broaden Buddhism's support. However, he passed away October 9, 2006^[10] on October 9, 2006 after a lengthy illness; he was cremated as per Buddhist rituals ^[11].. For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Kanshi Ram (born 1934) is an Indian politician of Dalit Sikh background. ... A Sikh (IPA: [siːk] or [sɪk]; Punjabi: , , IPA: [sɪk. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 2006 is the tenth month of that year and has yet to occur. ... October 9 is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by...

Mayawati

Bahujan Samaj Party leader chief Mayawati, who was born in an out-caste Hindu family, has said that she and her followers will embrace Buddhism after the BSP gains control of the government.^[12] For the Nepalese party, see Bahujan Samaj Party, Nepal. ... Mayawati Mayawati Kumari (born January 15, 1956) is a politician in India who currently the president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) which is a national party though it is influential mainly in Uttar Pradesh. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

International involvement

British involvement

British Buddhists have also played a role through the work of the Karuna Trust, a London-based Buddhist charity set up by members of the Western Buddhist Order and part of the FWBO. The Karuna Trust's work is inspired by Dr Ambedkar and seeks to work towards his vision of liberty, equality, fraternity and justice. Karuna's work is also inspired by Sangharakshita, the founder of the Western Buddhist Order, who met Dr Ambedkar in India. Sangharakshita deeply moved by the situation facing Dalit people, and addressed followers of Dr Ambedkar at mass public meetings after the latter's death. Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO) is a Buddhist movement that was founded in the UK by Sangharakshita (formerly Dennis Lingwood) in 1967, followed by the Western Buddhist Order in 1968. ... Sangharakshita (1925-) is the founder of the Western Buddhist Order, and the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO). ...

The Karuna Trust was set up in 1980 by some of Sangharakshita's disciples to address the great material suffering and poverty experienced by millions of Dalit people across India. Through educational and training projects in India and Bangladesh, Karuna supports and enable of some of the world's most disadvantaged people, who are marginalised.

Japanese involvement

A Japanese organization called the Ogawa Trust maintains Nagarjuna Hospital at Mansar, an English language school for poor students, an orphanage, cooperative home industries for women, and various other kinds of aid. The Ogawa Trust has also helped in the building of an ornate Buddhist temple at Kampti, a town near Nagpur.

Taiwanese involvement

Taiwanese Buddhists have contributed to the growth of Buddhism in India in multiple ways, one of which is in the ordination of Theravadin nuns. Taiwan, with one of the most active groups of nuns in the world, has begun to facilitate the ordination of women in India. In February 1998 a full ordination ceremony was held at Bodh Gaya by Taiwan's Fo Guang Shan Monastery. 132 applicants arrived to receive ordination as nuns and undertook a nine day period of training and questioning.^{[citation needed]} Of these candidates 66 were from South Asia, and of these at least twenty-eight were from Maharashtra. Fo Guang Shan (佛光山) (Buddhas Light Mountain) is a Chinese Mahayana Buddhist monastic order that has gained a worldwide presence, and has chapters around the world. ...

See also

Indian Buddhist revival Portal

• Basic Points Unifying the Theravada and the Mahayana
• Buddhist terms and concepts
• Buddhism in India
• Buddhism in Tibet
• Buddhism in Nepal

Image File history File links Portal. ... The Basic Points Unifying the Theravada and the Mahayana is a very important Buddhist Ecumenical statement created in 1967 during the First Congress of the World Buddhist Sangha Council (WBSC), where its founder Secretary-General, the late Venerable Pandita Pimbure Sorata Thera, requested the Ven. ... Several Buddhist terms and concepts lack direct translations into English that cover the breadth of the original term. ... A fresco from the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra, India, once a gathering places for Buddhist monks. ... About 11% of Nepals population practices Buddhism, consisting mainly of groups of Tibeto-Burman origin. ...

Global organisations

• Ambedkar Center for Justice and Peace
• Dr. Ambedkar International Mission
• Trailokya Bauddha Mahasangha Sahayaka Gana
• Karuna Trust
• The Jambudvipa Trust

Notes

References

• The Buddha and His Dhamma, text of the book by B. R. Ambedkar
• India's Buddhists are NOT Hindus? Article on India's Buddhism by Koenraad Elst.
• 2590 Years Of Buddhism
• Omvedt, Gail. Buddhism in India : Challenging Brahmanism and Caste. 3rd ed. London/New Delhi/Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2003.