500 dalits, OBCs embrace Buddhism
Gaya: About 500 Dalits and OBCs from different states including Bihar, UP, Maharashtra and Chattisgarh, embraced Buddhism on Saturday evening apparently to denounce the varna system and opt for a casteless social order.
The baptisation ceremony called ‘deeksha’ was performed at the Kalchakra Maidan in Bodh Gaya, about 200 meters north west of Mahabodhi temple. The baptisation took place on the eve of Buddha Jayanti symbolising Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and salvation .
According to Bhadant Pragyasheel, former chief priest of Mahabodhi temple, “Those embracing Buddhism also took 22 vows. The vows were originally authored by Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of Indian Constitution, who embraced Buddhism to register protest against the caste order and alleged discrimination.”
The vows, according to Pragyasheel included the resolve not to believe in Hindu gods and goddesses, particularly the divinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, not to perform Hindu rituals, not to engage brahmins for any ritual and strive for the creation of an egalitarian society based on humanitarian considerations and deed (not birth) to become the basis of social order.
Bhadant Pragyasheel made it clear that in true Buddhist spirit, the neo Buddhists do not nurture any ill will towards the followers of their former faith (Hinduism). Playing down the event, VHP state patron Udai Kumar said it was not a conversion as VHP regards Buddhism as another sect of Hinduism. Hinduism, according to Kumar is a broad umbrella open to the followers of all belief systems.
“Lord Buddha was a Hindu reformist,” said Udai Kumar and Hindus regard him (Buddha) as the ninth ‘avatar’ (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, the creator.
Unlike many other religions, Hinduism is flexible enough to accommodate divergent views. Hinduism is much more than only ‘karm kand’ (rituals) and the faith even accommodate non-believers, said Kumar.
lieved in promoting harmony between different members of the extra large Hindu family.
Source: The Time of India
