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On October 5, Mission Jai Bhim and The Buddhist Society of India organised a public meeting in Delhi to commemorate the Ashoka Vijaya Dashami.
Key Takeaway
- Every year Dussehra is also celebrated as Ashoka Vijaya Dashami to commemorate Buddhist Conversion day.Â
The Ashoka Vijaya Dashami
- What?
- On October 14, 1956, India’s first law minister and the architect of the Indian constitution, Bhimrao Ambedkar, along with over 3 lakhs of his followers, embraced Buddhism.Â
- The day it happened is called Dhammachakra Pravartan Din. Even though the conversion took place on October 14, Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, which marks the event, is celebrated on Ashoka Vijayadashami (Dussehra) every year.
- Every year Dussehra is also celebrated as Ashoka Vijaya Dashami to commemorate Buddhist Conversion day.
Navayana Buddhism
- About
- Navayana, which means “new vehicle,” refers to Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s reinterpretation of Buddhism.
- It is also known as Neo-Buddhism, Ambedkarite Buddhism, and Bhimayana.
- Features:
- It is distinct from the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions of Buddhism, and rejects them.
- Ambedkar’s book, The Buddha and His Dhamma is the holy book of Navayana followers.
- It focused on modern ethical values and a scientific temperament and preached peace and compassion for social coexistence.
Buddhism
- About:
- Buddhism started in India over 2,600 years ago as a way of life that had the potential of transforming a person.
- It is one of the important religions of South and South-Eastern Asian countries.
- Founder:
- The religion is based upon the teachings, and life experiences of its founder Siddhartha Gautam, born circa 563 BCE.
- He was born into a royal family of the Sakya clan who ruled from Kapilvastu, in Lumbini, which is situated near the Indo-Nepal Border.
- Tenets of Buddhism:
- Buddha asked his followers to avoid the two extremes of indulgence in worldly pleasure and the practice of strict abstinence and asceticism.
- He ascribed instead the ‘Madhyam Marg’ or the middle path, which was to be followed.
- According to him, everyone was responsible for their happiness in life, stressing the individualistic component of Buddhism.
- Four noble truths:
- Suffering (dukkha) is the essence of the world.
- Every suffering has a cause – Samudya.
- Suffering could be extinguished – Nirodha.
- It can be achieved by following the Atthanga Magga (Eight-Fold Path).
- Eight-Fold Paths:
- It consists of various interconnected activities related to knowledge, conduct, and meditative practices.
- Right view
- Right intention
- Right speech
- Right action
- Right livelihood
- Right mindfulness
- Right effort
- Right concentration
- It consists of various interconnected activities related to knowledge, conduct, and meditative practices.
- Major Buddhist Texts
- The Vinaya Pitaka-It consists of rules of conduct and discipline applicable to the monastic life of the monks and nuns.
- The Sutta Pitaka-It consists of the main teaching or Dhamma of Buddha.Â
- The Abhidamma Pitaka-It is a philosophical analysis and systematization of the teaching and the scholarly activity of the monks.
Content Source: The Hindu