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Hindus set to convert to Buddhism
Sunday, 15 October 2006 - 8:38 AM SL Time
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Thousands of people have been attending mass ceremonies in India at which hundreds of low-caste Hindus (Dalits) converted to Buddhism and Christianity.
The events in the central city of Nagpur are part of a protest against the injustices of India`s caste system.
By converting, Dalits - once known as Untouchables - can escape the prejudice and discrimination they normally face.
The ceremonies mark the 50th anniversary of the adoption of Buddhism by the scholar Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.
He was the first prominent Dalit to urge low-caste Indians to embrace Buddhism.
As the chief architect of India`s constitution, he wrote anti-discrimination provisions and quota systems into the country`s law.
But four-fifths of India`s Dalits live in often isolated rural areas, and traditional prejudice has persisted in spite of official laws.
`Cry for dignity`
The Dalits arrived by the truckload at a public park in Nagpur for ceremonies, which began with religious leaders giving fiery speeches against the treatment of lower castes.
Reuters reported that dozens of riot policemen had turned out at the sprawling park.
Udit Raj, a Dalit leader, told the BBC that around 2,500 people converted to Christianity and Buddhism
Joseph D`Souza, the president of the Dalit Freedom Network and a Christian convert, described the conversions as a `celebratory occasion`.
`I think it`s important to understand that this is a cry for human dignity, it`s a cry for human worth,` he told the BBC.
He said that Dalits could seek dignity by converting to Christianity, Jainism or Sikhism as well as Buddhism.
Buddhist convert Dhammachari Manidhamma told the BBC that social equality was impossible within Hinduism.
`Buddha`s teaching was for the humanity, and Buddha believed in equality.
`And Hindu religion, Hindu teaching is nothing but inequality.
Laws against conversion
Similar mass conversions are taking place this month in many other parts of India.
Several states governed by the Hindu nationalist party, the BJP, have introduced laws to make such conversions more difficult.
The states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have all passed laws restricting conversions.
Gujarat has reclassified Buddhism and Jainism as branches of the Hindu religion, in an attempt to prevent conversions away from Hinduism eroding the BJP`s bedrock support.
Hinduism teaches that most humans were created from parts of the body of the divinity Purusha.
According to which body parts they were created from, humans fall into four basic castes which define their social standing, who they can marry, and what jobs they can do.
But Dalits fall outside this system and are traditionally prevented from doing all but the most menial jobs or even drinking from the same water sources as other castes.
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sansare
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Joined: Sep 2006
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15 Oct 2006 02:04:50 GMT Report for Abuse
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This is a good work.
Once they converted into Buddhism, we know well, they can again convert into any religion, if they want.
Buddhism has that great freedom.. |
Vishnu
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15 Oct 2006 02:08:32 GMT Report for Abuse
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He...He...Aney BBC...So India will be buddhist within ten years. Nonsense!
Edited By - Vishnu - 15 Oct 2006 02:08:59 GMT |
MaKaSo
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15 Oct 2006 02:40:36 GMT Report for Abuse
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This is interesting..few days ago tigeress19 said low caste tamils converted to Sinhalase.
i will pass it to my off spring that this island belong to tamils
and the sinhalese are low caste tamils who converted to
sinhalese. the Buddhism gave enough freedom unlike the Hinduism
to the low caste.
VP anna knew the trick..he became a Christian.
Damn!! he missed the Buddhism. |
sanspace
Joined: Jun 2006
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15 Oct 2006 03:54:18 GMT Report for Abuse
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Some of these who converted to Christianity about 15 years back made use of all the money and education provided by the Christian missionaries and after securing themselves went back to Hinduism!
Its good if the people who are designated as low caste leave the religion. Why do they need to remain in a religious fold that treats them as low caste. The problem in India is even Christians and Budhists follow the same caste divisions after conversion, specially at the time of marriage.
Anyway, its good if people convert and inter marry. There will be better understanding between the people with more social interaction and definitely more tolerance and acceptance. After all the problems are not exactly between the people. Its only the polititians who create these divisions and thrive on it. |
Thirumalai
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15 Oct 2006 04:50:30 GMT Report for Abuse
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Abi singh (oldpuli) anne,
Good good good. 75% Jaffna population will be Buddhists in the future. Pottu amman, Thamilwicramsingha and Prayaharan -all will be buddhists.
LOL.
Sorry this won't happen unless the saviours of buddhism in Sri Lanka relize what is quoted in the article about Buddhism by a commoner:
Buddhist convert Dhammachari Manidhamma told the BBC that social equality was impossible within Hinduism.
'Buddha's teaching was for the humanity, and Buddha believed in equality.
Long way anne,
There must be a limit to dreams.
Anbudan,
Thiru |
AnuD
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15 Oct 2006 05:05:08 GMT Report for Abuse
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This article is as usual by dumb people who don't know about eastern culture.
As far as I know, Dalits were not allowed to be Hindus. Because of that, in 1950s Dr. Ambedskar who he himself was a dalit became the pioneer in simultaneously converting in to Buddhism.
Because, buddhism dos not believe in castes.
How ever, then christianity comes and convert them to theirs saying they are going to get jobs and probably immigration to UK. |
Thirumalai
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15 Oct 2006 05:35:19 GMT Report for Abuse
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Because, buddhism dos not believe in castes.
True; only in Sri Lanka - Govgama, karawa etc.etc. |
sanspace
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 190
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15 Oct 2006 05:37:38 GMT Report for Abuse
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This article is as usual by dumb people who don't know about eastern culture.
The article is nothing but a factual news report of a true event.
I think if a society looks upon some of its people as low caste and treats them so, these people have every right to seek alternative faith and affiliations and its about time they did too. The sad part is such caste feelings exist even in Christian and Buddhist faith in Indian society.
The only way to get over this is by the so called low caste people becoming economically forward and ascerting themselves in society. This has happend to a large extent in South Indian societies particularly in Tamilnadu and Kerala. Dr.Ambedkar was a pioneer of such reform for social equality and his ideals are worth pursuing by the oppressed in such societies. |
srimal111
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15 Oct 2006 06:55:11 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Prabakaren is a good example. i think he is a Christian or catholic. well i think so. |
mavilaru
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15 Oct 2006 07:47:31 GMT Report for Abuse
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He...He...Aney BBC...So India will be buddhist within ten years. Nonsense!
Vishnu,
You know what, lebonans population in 1970 was , 75% Christians, 25% Muslims..
Now it is other way around..Intresting ha...? |
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