Buddha Purnima Why Ambedkar Converted To Buddhism

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Buddha Purnima Why Ambedkar converted to BuddhismOn 14 October 1956,
Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, took a life-altering decision.
The Dalit leader decided to quit Hinduism and take up Buddhism, along with close to 3,65,000 of his followers, in Nagpur.

CRITIC OF HINDUISM

Ambedkar had for long been a critic of Hinduism &
Believed it to be a bigger threat to Indian society than the British.
Ambedkar had long decided to change his religion to escape what he considered a “threat to freedom” – the varna or caste system, propagated by Hinduism.
No superiority or inferiority.
Not a manmade institution,
but “the law of life universally governing the human family”.
Frustrated by what he believed was an inherent part of the Hindu religion,
Ambedkar opined that conversion was the only method for Dalits to denounce the caste system.
Almost 20 years before he actually converted, Ambedkar addressed the Mahars –
A section of the community considered untouchable – in Mumbai
“… religion is for man and not man for religion. For getting human treatment, convert yourselves. Convert for getting organised.
Convert for becoming strong. Convert for securing equality. Convert for getting liberty.”

According to Gauri Vishwanathan, a professor of English at Columbia University,
The reason behind his choice was in fact, the “foreignness” associated with Islam and Christianity.
Buddhism met his core values of rationality, morality and justice.
According to religion studies specialist Christopher Queen,
Buddhism helped Ambedkar realise his requirements– “the exercise of individual choice based on reason and historical consciousness.”
Ambedkar also modified the religion’s basic tenets to fit his idea of Buddhism – particularly by including the values of equality, fraternity and liberty from the French revolution.
Ambedkar’s re-interpretation was called the Dalit Buddhist movement, or Navayana, or Neo-Buddhism.
This “new sect” of the religion now rejected the “four noble truths” of traditional Buddhism

Likening Dalits to the Nag people, Ambedkar reportedly said:
“The Nag people spread the teaching of Buagwan Buddha all over India.
Thus we are like Nag people.
It seems that the Nag people lived chiefly in Nagpur and the surrounding country.
So they call this city Nagpur, meaning city of Nags… Nagpur was chosen because of this.”

Deekshabhoomi is a sacred monument of Navayana Buddhism located where B. R. Ambedkar, converted to Buddhism
Chaitya Bhoomi is a Buddhist chaitya and resting place of B. R. Ambedkar.
Earlier known as Dadar Chowpatty, it began to be known as Chaitya Bhoomi after Ambedkar was cremated there after his death on 6 December 1956.