NEO BUDDHISM
Source: The Hindu
1. Context
Thousands of People assemble at Nagpur's Deekshabhoomi to pay homage to B.R. Ambedkar and remember the historic day of October 14, 1956, when he and half a million of his followers adopted Buddhism
2. Ambedkar's views on Buddhism
- After examining various religions to understand the suitability of each to liberate socially marginalised communities from the exploitative caste order.
- He found that Buddhism is rooted in India's civilization, supplements modern ethical values and is averse to social hierarchies and patriarchal domination.
- Neo-Buddhism was proposed as a mass movement that would elevate former "Untouchables" and help them achieve self-respect.
- He hoped that Buddhist principles would mobilise them into a robust community to battle the ruling Brahmanical elites.
3. Struggles of Neo-Buddhism
- Neo-Buddhism emerged as a maverick phenomenon that offered strong psychological solace to the struggling Dalit masses. Ambedkar's grand hopes remain unfulfilled.
- Today, the Buddhist population in India is one of the smallest minorities, its ideological challenge against the Hindu social order has not been taken seriously and even within the Dalit community, conversion to Buddhism is not perceived as a suitable path to achieve social emancipation.
4. Indian Buddhists
- A large majority (Close to 80 per cent) of Indian Buddhists reside in Maharashtra.
- The Neo-Buddhists established social and educational institutions, initiated cultural movements and organised popular public festivals to make Buddhism a visible force in Maharashtra's public sphere.
- It is mainly the Mahar caste and recently, smaller sections within the Matang and the Maratha castes which have identified themselves as neo-Buddhists.
- Other socially marginalised groups are still defined by Hindu caste nomenclatures and traditional occupations.
5. Dalit Sociopolitical movements
- It is in the states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have also not promoted conversion to Buddhism.
- In Uttar Pradesh, cultural symbols related to Buddhism, such as the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal and Green Garden were erected in Public spaces, but there was still hesitation in suggesting religious conversion as an alternative to fight the battle for social justice.
- Even in States where the Scheduled Caste Population is relatively high, such as in Punjab, West Bengal and Odisha, Dalits have shown restraint in adopting Buddhism to challenge their social location.
6. Links with other Buddhist countries
- India's neighbouring Buddhist countries also have not identified neo-Buddhists as significant partners in their theological engagements.
- Several Buddhist countries have built their pagodas and temples in Bodh Gaya and are more concerned with adding new sites to India's Buddhist Circuit.
- Certain individuals and Buddhist associations from Japan, Thailand and the U.K. have established some close links with the neo-Buddhists of Maharashtra, but this is small support.
- Theoretically, the neo-Buddhist movement is seen as an ideological and intellectual challenge to the dominant social and political ideas of the ruling elites.
7. For Prelims & Mains
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For Prelims: Neo-Buddhism, Dalit sociopolitical movements, Ambedkar, Indian Buddhists
For Mains: What is Neo-Buddhism? Discuss Ambedkar's views on it (250 words)
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