Navayan and Buddhism of Ambedkar

BR Ambedkar announced to accept Buddhism on 14th October, 1956 in a press conference.

He formed a new sect Navayan inspite of following pre existing sects such as Mahayana, Vajrayan and Heenayan.

Along with him about 4 lakhs people accepted his sect. His book "Buddha and his dhamma" is the basis of his sect.

BR believed that Buddhist sects were distorted with time and gradually were filled with seemingly stupid beliefs.

He rejected most of the Buddhist philosophies.
He declared that 4 ultimate truth mentioned in Buddhist texts is not the original Buddhist teaching.

The story of Buddha getting inspired by old person, ill person, corpse and an ascetic was rejected by BR Ambedkar.
He believed that Buddha and his knowledge came from watching the struggle in society, and political anarchy.

Ambedkar rejected Buddhist philosophies of Karma, rebirth and anachronism as superstition.

He criticized the tradition to become an ascetic after renouncing the family
He interpreted the Nirvana theory after eliminating the metaphysical aspect of it. He reduced nirvana to a social status.

He believed that Buddha originally didn't propagated these philosophies, but they were later added by some stupid, cunning and superstitious people.
He said that protecting the original teachings of Buddha and keep it safe from other sects of Buddhism is its core principles. Navayan accepted panchsheel, three jewels and ashtangic Marg with few interpolation.
Navayan was promoted by BR Ambedkar with 22 pledges for all the followers. The crux of these pledges are:

I will not believe in any Hindu god, goddess, deities or incarnation like Ram and Krishna.
I'll not accept Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu.
I'll not do shraadh and Pindadaan.
I'll not disrespect the teachings of Buddha.
I'll not perform any Anushthana with the help of Brahmins.
I'll believe in equality among human beings.
I'll follow ashtangic Marg and ten boundaries.
I'll leave the discriminatory Hinduism and follow Buddhism.
I'll give up stealing, speaking lies, alcohol and bad habits.
I'll believe dhamma of the Buddha to be only true Dharma.
And few more pledges.
Navayan considers Ambedkar as bodhisattva.

Generally, their centers keep the sculpture of Ambedkar with Gautam Buddha.

14th October is considered as Dhamma Chakra pravartan diwas.
There is a stupa made in Nagpur and the place is known as Deeksha Bhoomi.

The place where BR Ambedkar was cremated is known as Chaitya Bhoomi.
continued from here.

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