59. I believe, my People will sacrifice Everything to Establish Buddhism in India

I BELIEVE, MY PEOPLE WILL SACRIFICE EVERYTHING TO ESTABLISH BUDDHISM IN INDIA

“Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Mrs. Ambedkar accompanied by Mr. B. H. Varale and Dr. Mavalankar left for Nepal to participate in the World Buddhist Conference scheduled to take place on the 17th November 1956.

While leaving for Nepal, on November 13th, 1956, Mr. Y. C. Shankaranand Shastri very respectfully enquired at the Air Port, New Delhi, “Baba Saheb, in view of your failing health how far will it be possible for you to tour India to propagate the Dhamma ?” Baba Saheb felt slightly irritated but strongly asserted, for the task like propagation of Buddhism I am not at all ill. I am prepared to utilise every moment of my remaining life for the great task of revival and propagation of Buddha’s Dhamma in Bharat.

“I am going to administer “Deeksha” to lakhs of people in Bombay in the month of December. The kind of great revival meeting took place in Nagpur on the 14th October 1956 will also be arranged in Bombay where millions of people will be converted to Buddhism. Conversion meeting like the one which took place in Nagpur will also be organised in other cities of India.”

“Not only the people treated as Untouchables but all people, irrespective of caste or religion, who believe in the teachings of the Buddha should participate in this Deeksha ceremony and embrace Buddhism.”

During the course of conversation with people present there, Baba Saheb Ambedkar strongly asserted, “It is very wrong to believe that Buddha is incarnation of Vishnu. This is a false and mischievous propaganda”. The preachers of this diabolical theory are none other than the followers of Brahminism. Their sole aim is to maintain the stratification based on inequality and mutual hatred in order to maintain their hold on the society. I have been

struggling throughout my life to abolish this evil practice of division based on caste and mutual hatred. In reality, I feel guilty of starting late the work of revival of Buddhism in India. But even then I hope and believe that my people who, sacrificing their own comforts, have been faithfully following me. I hope and I trust they will continue to struggle sincerely to propagate the Buddha Dhamma in India.” 1 zz 1 : Prabuddha Bharat : dated 17th Nov. 1956. Translated by Bhagwan Das

APPENDICES

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