The transformative power of Buddhism in shaping Dr. Ambedkar's worldview from "summary" of Dr. Ambedkar's Views on Buddhism: A Path to Social Liberation. by R.ANANDA RAJU
Dr. Ambedkar's deep engagement with Buddhism was not merely a personal choice or religious conversion; it was a profound transformative experience that profoundly shaped his worldview and his approach to social liberation. Buddhism, as he understood it, was not just a spiritual path for individual salvation but a powerful force for social transformation and justice. Ambedkar saw in Buddhism a radical philosophy that challenged the oppressive caste system and hierarchical social order that had marginalized and oppressed millions of people in India for centuries. He found in the teachings of the Buddha a message of equality, compassion, and social justice that resonated deeply with his own experiences of discrimination and marginalization as a member of the Dalit community. For Ambedkar, Buddhism was not just a religion but a revolutionary ideology that could liberate not just individuals but entire communities from the shackles of caste-based discrimination and social inequality. He believed that by embracing the principles of Buddhism, particularly its emphasis on non-violence, social equality, and human dignity, marginalized communities like the Dalits could assert their rights, dignity, and equality in society. Ambedkar's engagement with Buddhism was also a means of reclaiming a sense of pride, identity, and agency for himself and his community. By rejecting Hinduism, which had long been used as a tool of social control and oppression by the upper castes, and embracing Buddhism, which preached equality and justice for all, he sought to empower himself and his fellow Dalits to assert their rights and demand social justice. In this sense, the transformative power of Buddhism in shaping Ambedkar's worldview was not just personal but political and social. It was a means of resistance, empowerment, and liberation for himself and his community, a way of challenging the status quo and envisioning a more just and equitable society for all.
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