Dr B.R. Ambedkar on Buddhism

Description

This volume is a reprint of a compilation of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s shorter writings on Buddhism in English, compiled by Mangesh Dahiwale. It was first published for the conference that Nagarjuna Training Institute, Nagpur, organised with the cooperation of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s momentous conversion to Buddhism. The theme of the conference was “Social Engagement and Liberation”, the deliberations centering around Liberty, Equality and Fraternity as Buddhist values, following on from his statement that he had derived these values not from the French Revolution but from his Master, the Buddha. Speakers from abroad were requested to try and approach these values from the perspective of their own tradition.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was so busy that it is remarkable that he was able to write what he did on Buddhism. His major works include, “The Buddha and His Dhamma” “Revolution and Counterrevolution in Ancient India”, “Buddha and Karl Marx”, a Pali Dictionary, “Buddha Pooja Path”, and “The Buddha and the Future of His Religion. He wrote a number of small articles, a number of which have been included in this small volume. Few though they may be and short as they are, each one throws some light on Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s understanding of and approach to Buddhism, and as such are of importance to his Buddhist disciples, as well as others who are interested in why this great man placed such an emphasis on the Buddha’s teachings.

Lokamitra

Pune January 2025