“Training is the primary phrase of Babasaheb’s motto of ‘Educate, Agitate, Organise’. It is just when one is educated about one’s previous, the historical past of discrimination and the efforts at emancipation that one can actually be free,” stated a Central authorities worker, invoking Dr BR Ambedkar, at an occasion in Ahmedabad the place he, his spouse and two daughters transformed to Buddhism.
He was one of many 62 folks from the Scheduled Caste class who transformed to Buddhism at a spiritual occasion in Vadaj space to mark Ashok Vijaya Dashami — the day that Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty embraced the faith within the third century BC. Two years earlier than he was born, his father had modified the household’s surname within the 70s from Parmar attributable to discrimination, he recalled, whereas pleading anonymity. He stated he had been subjected to hateful feedback when he grew to become vocal about caste discrimination. His household was one among three nuclear households who transformed collectively on the Vadaj ceremony on Saturday. Nevertheless, he stated that this was not conversion however fairly a “ghar wapsi” (a homecoming) to the faith of his ancestors. He was prompted to simply accept Buddhism, he added, following a long-drawn course of of 5 years of learning the “suppressed historical past” of the Dalits. All of it started when he started studying a guide gifted by a pal that posed the query — “What if there hadn’t been a Dr Ambedkar?”
Prashant Mehta of the Triratna Mangal Baudhh Sangh, the organiser of the occasion, stated that the ceremony was held in accordance with the legislation and all of the attendees had accomplished authorities formalities beneath the Gujarat Freedom of Faith Act, 2003.
An analogous ceremony was held within the Gita Mandir space the place 68 folks from the Dalit group, together with 30 households, accepted Buddhism, stated Ramesh Banker of the Gujarat Buddhist Academy and allied organisations. They’ve been internet hosting these programmes for practically a decade. He estimated that about 5,000 folks have transformed to Buddhism throughout this time at such occasions.
At this occasion, a household of 5, who had transformed to Buddhism again in 2014, helped the sixth and latest member of their household, a daughter-in-law, “embrace” the teachings of Buddha. Abhilash Sakya, 68, a inventory dealer, who modified his title alongside along with his faith a decade in the past, stated his youthful son’s spouse Roshni, transformed to Buddhism on Saturday. Abhilash and his spouse Hira had modified their surname to erase any hint of their historical past. Rising up in Saurashtra, Sakya stated he had seen the face of discrimination change from the very blatant method in rural areas to a refined method within the city areas
“Whereas I had stopped visiting temples and conducting non secular rites way back, my agency wouldn’t eat meals earlier than lighting a lamp within the temple. All of that modified in 2014 once we accepted the sunshine of Lord Buddha. There was no level in adhering to a faith that has completely different requirements for me and my brethren,” he stated.
30-year-old Roshni informed The Indian Categorical, “I’ve been in contact with this household for the final three years and was married into it final 12 months. My circle of relatives is Hindu and really non secular however I felt that this simplistic way of life of Buddhism is a greater match for me.”
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