Bangalore: Buddhism – the reigning religion of India for 1,000 years or. so — was responsible for producing what is described as the | “Golden Period of Indian history”. But the Brahminical upper caste forces infiltrated Buddhism and ~ sabotaged it from both inside and | outside. These Aryan infiltrators into Buddhism were more interested in promoting their Jati interests than Buddhism. The only person who revived Buddhism and gave it a | revolutionary push was Babasaheb Ambedkar. Had he lived for at least ~ four more years, after he wrote his ~ posthumous work, Buddha and His – Dhamma, he would have re- ~ established Buddhism in its – homeland and through that emancipated the Untouchables and all those denied human rights. The. Brahminical forces scented the danger to their Jati dharma of exploitation and finished Babasaheb within two months of embracing Buddhism. Even his cherished ~ blueprint for Buddhism outlined in the Buddha and His Dhamma could not be implemented. Such heartless ~ people have been ruling us, converting India into the world’s ‘most violent country. The just concluded mini-general elections, including the murder of Rajiv Gandhi, isa proof of this.
In the midst of Babasaheb’s; centenary celebrations, perhaps the: 20 Dalit Voice country’s only upper caste-dominated Buddhist organization that spared a thought to Babasaheb was Bangalore’s Mahabodhi Society. Until Buddharakhita Thera, who never hesitated to identify himself as a Bengali Brahmin despite being a Buddhist, was is head, the multi-million-rupee Bangalore Centre of the Mahabodhi Society never bothered about Babasaheb or his thoughts.
Untouchables could nowhere enter its ‘premises in downtown Bangalore. Even the word “conversion” was disliked by to him. This writer, who knew Buddharakhita well, many times tried to persuade the Buddhist monk to think of converting the Untouchables to Buddhism. He used to brush aside such suggestions saying that conversion was not part of his work as that would antagonize the upper castes. He used to resort to all sorts of publicity gimmicks converting the entire Bangalore center into a Brahminical stronghold. In fact, this was so with all entries coming under the Mahabodhi society. Where there is sugar, there will be ants.
Sandhausen arrives: Soon things became little uneasy and Buddharakhita Thera migrated to US- perhaps to explore more fertile pastures. And fortunately, Venerable sangha Sen, a Ladakh Buddhist, was put in charge. And this new monk revolutionized the institution bringing it closer to the dreams of Babasaheb. And that was how B. Basavalingappa, Karnataka’s topmost Dalit leader and the Minister for Rural Development, became a friend, philosopher and guide to the Mahabodhi Society which held is centenary celebrations along with that of Babasaheb Ambedkar centenary here on June 9 and 10. When Buddharakhita was there, he never used to allow any Untouchable into his sprawling complex situated in the heart of Bangalore. But the two-day centenary celebrations proved that the Brahminical forces are giving up and Untouchable converts to Buddhism are gradually taking control of the institution. This goes entirely to the credit of Ven. sangha Sen who has come to realize that without Babasaheb | there will be no Buddhism. = Brahminical ants came io eat the sugar but they had no genuine interest in Buddhism. But that was not the case with Untouchables who once. belonged to Buddhism and now wanted for return to their original home.
Glaring omission: Basavalingappa, who has himself established a Buddhist center in Bangalore, was the chief guest at the centenary celebrations. He said soon India would be in the world Buddhist map. His paid tributes to Ven. sangha Sen I for bringing the institution closer to I the people. The two-day function was well attended by top Buddhist monks, om different pa is of the world. But the delegates pointed out. one glaring omission in the agenda: – steps to attract people to Buddhism were not discussed. If Buddhism is the religion cut for the Untouchables and the Untouchables are hungering for it, is it not the duty of the Buddhist leaders to supply food to the hungry? Many Dalit delegates at the conference pointed out this lapse.
Since Babasaheb, their savior, has become a cult figure now, dwarfing all Mahatmas and Kuramas, they are the only people eager about conversion. let is ‘true that Untouchables are not Hindus and never Hindus. They are its victims. But there are no organized attempts in India to take them into Buddhism and constitute them into a separate community. Conversion takes the topmost priority in Babasaheb’s scheme of things 10 liberates the Untouchables. But our Untouchable political leaders imprisoned in different political parties — all controlled by Hindus — cannot take interest in conversion for fear of reprisal. Some Untouchable leaders (we call them Harijans) being slaves of their Hindu bosses mislead their people saying that Babasaheb never advocated conversion.
Dalit Voice gets letters daily from Dalits from different parts of India seeking our guidance on conversion. They want monks. They want Buddhist Vihara. They need religious teachings on Buddhism. They need literature on Buddhism. Every leader talks on Buddhism and promises Buddhism but no concrete steps for conversion are taken.
The two-day “international Convention” discussed different aspects of Buddhist but failed to yes supply the food to the hungry hearts yearning for Buddhism. Barring this one glaring omission, Ven. sangha Sen did a fine job and his actions indicated that he wants io take slow but steady steps as he is well aware of the numerous hidden thorns in the way. Those who have killed their own “Father of the Nation” will not hesitate to do anything. That is why Ven. sangha Sen wants to be cautious. And perhaps he is right. And before he takes this revolutionary step, the numerous time-servers, racketeers, flatters and Buddhist business alas hovering around the society will have to be first cleared and genuine Ambedkarite inducted.
