The Indian Studies Centre of Chulalongkorn University on 9^th November.

Lokamitra went on to Bangkok to give a lecture on Dr. Ambedkar, Buddhism and Social Change under the auspices of the Indian Studies Centre, Chulalongkorn University. As is so often the case, Lokamitra discovered that his audience had almost no knowledge of the enormous social disadvantages, discrimination and even violence faced by those who used to be called Untouchables in the Hindu Caste system, nor the extent, the fact that they make up one sixth of the Indian population, over 200,000,000. And likewise most are ignorant of Dr. Ambedkar (despite the central role he played in recent Indian history) and the significance of his conversion to Buddhism.

In this conference, through talks and discussion, we explored the implications of liberty, equality and fraternity, as Buddhist ethical attitudes, from the following perspectives:

1.      Creating Democracy.

Babasaheb was convinced that Buddhism could make a significant contribution to the establishment of democracy in India. In this section we explored the contributions that Buddhism and Buddhists, especially those inspired by Babasaheb, can make in this respect.

2.      Individual Empowerment.

How does Buddhist practice strengthen us as individuals, not in a selfish sense, but enabling us to contribute more effectively to the creation of a better world? This is the principle behind the Paramitas, the practice of a Bodhisattva, which was emphasised by Babasaheb  in the 22 Vows and the Buddha and His Dhamma.

3.      Social Reconstruction.

Many people are contributing to the implementation of  Babasaheb’s great vision for society, but to what extent are they able to reconstruct their own work and immediate social lives in accordance with that vision? While many sincerely want to “walk the talk”, there are many difficulties and confusions in the way. In this section we explored the basic Buddhist principles of social reconstruction in the light of our own experience of work.

Lokamitra gave the key note talk. Other speakers included:  Mangesh Dahiwale (who organised the conference), Professor Aloysius. Dhammachari Maitriveer Nagarjuna (Prof Santosh Raut), Ven. Vinayarakkhita, Ven Sangharatna Mankhe, Gautama Prabhu, Abhaya, Dhammachari Maitreyanath, and Vidyabushan Raut. About 150 people attended from different parts of India.

The guests who did come were:

1.      Christopher Benninger, the architect for Nagaloka. is one of the leading architects in India, with many huge, prestigious  projects, numerous awards, and 40 architects working under him. We were delighted to be able to felicitate him and publicly express our appreciation of the beautiful campus he has designed for us.  In his talk he said that of all his work, he felt most for the work at Nagaloka, as it was concerned with the real development, the evolution of the individual and society

2.      Prof Aloysius, a south Indian who has done a lot of research on Jyothedas, the main figure in stimulating interest among South Indian Dalits in Buddhism at the end of the nineteenth century, asserting that they were returning to their old religion.  Aloysius is a highly respected intellectual and social activist. Once a Christian priest, he is now more of a Buddhist and it is hoped he can involve himself with the Nagarjuna Institute and students.

3.      Dhammachari Tejadarshan has just returned from Cambridge in UK, where he was working with Windhorse Trading for 15 years. Among his projects in India he wants to develop the Golden Light Foundation, a charitable company developed to help sustain Nagaloka.

During the programme we held the foundation stone ceremony for the new residential training building that has been made possible by Master Nan and his disciples, and inaugurated the Golden Light Foundation. We also inaugurated Nagarjuna College, as we now have permission from the Government of Maharashtra and Nagpur University to run a degree course on Buddhism, Dr. Ambedkar Studies and Pal. This academic year is our first year.

He had made a very great contribution to the Walking Buddha and also to the development of the campus and residential facilities. Lokamitra was very grateful to be able to meet him twice at his center near Shanghai. At those meetings, Master Nan was very keen to hear about the revival of Buddhism in India, and gave his advice and very strong encouragement blessing for the work Nagaloka was doing in training young people in basic Buddhism. Lokamitra led a special puja to rejoice in his great merits with the staff and students at Nagaloka on 5^th October.

Duration: 25th and 26th October, 2012,

Place:  Nagaloka

Indian society is full of contradictions. Politically, it is a democratic country. However, socially and economically, it is an unequal and undemocratic society, in which people from lower castes have no access to resources and are deprived of their basic human rights.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar played an important role in founding modern India as a democratic country, but he also knew that mere political form of democracy will not solve the problem-the problem of caste- he was fighting all is life. He saw need of social and economic democracy. He also found the roots of social democracy in the teachings of the Buddha. He led his followers to Buddhism in 1956.

His quest for new India was based on social, economic and political justice. He saw the values of liberty, equality and fraternity as a bedrock for establishing a just society. He also found these values in coherence with the teachings of the Buddha. His idea of India was Prabuddha Bharat, the enlightened India, the Ashokan India, and India as a welfare state.

We, at Nagaloka, are exploring various dimensions of life and mission of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, particularly his understanding and approach to Buddhism. Last year, we organised a conference, the first of its kind, on the theme of Prabuddha Bharat. This year, we are organising second Prabuddha Bharat conference on the occasion of 56th anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism.

The theme of the conference is “Prabuddha Bharat Conference: The Social Relevance of Buddhism”

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar wanted nothing less than to reconstruct society and foster a true democracy. This involved replacing the individual and social attitudes that supported superstition, hierarchy, caste and their siblings with the ethics of liberty, equality and fraternity. Buddhism, he saw, was the surest way to bring this about.

In this conference we will be looking in some depth at the ethical attitudes of liberty, equality and fraternity, as Babasaheb saw them, and their individual and social implications.

The conference will be divided into four sections:

1.      Creating Democracy.

In this section we will explore the impediments to the creation of a true democracy in India, and the theoretical and practical contribution that Buddhism and Buddhists can make.

2.      Social Reconstruction.

Many of us are working to implement Babasaheb’s great vision, and especially Buddhism. In order to create a better society we have to live and work according to those principles ourselves. To what extent are we able to do this? What are the difficulties involved? What can we learn from Buddhist teachings and especially the practice of Sangha?

3.      Individual Empowerment.

Buddhist practice strengthens the individual, not in a selfish sense, but enabling him or her to work more effectively for others. This is the principle of the Paramitas, the practice of a Bodhisattva, which was emphasised by Babasaheb. In this section we will examine how Buddhist practice can enhance our lives and work.

4.      The final session will look at ways to take forward the lessons we have learnt from the above discussions.

For registration and further information, please contact Mangesh Dahiwale on 09823460581 or send an email on mangesh.dahiwale@gmail.com

Walking meditation with Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue in the background!!