Its Buddhism All Over, or Its Over Now?

The year long celebrations on 50th ann.of mass conversions to Buddhism under the leadership of Dr.Ambedkar reached their peak during Oct.2006 especially in maharastra. An odd mix of saffron and blue seemed to steal the show every where.The happenings were given full page coverage by Buddhist'Ambedkarite media;but the news hardly made its appearance in other dailies.Most carried how late Promod mahajan's dr. is entering into Politics with her photographs and statements .But they all utterly kept from giving space to the Buddhist eventualties.This may probably be due to the fact that the events have lost their news value or it's the newer way to discard what the down troddens within Hindu society have been trying to secure in their own class interest for centuries.A close look at the happenings show that the Buddha's revolutionary thoughts and practical approach have been overshadowed by his Dhamma as it helps one to have a newer social identity .We have some 85 lakhs Buddhists as per 2001 census and another 15 lakhs would be added now making it to 1 crore. The 2011 census would reflect this converted demography.Both Buddhists and Jains besides Adivasis had appealed to Census Deptt. to identify them as such instead of just Hindu .It has worked well so far.

Still it's beyond one's comprehension how change of religious identity would bring about any changes in material life of socio-economically stalled sections within Indian socieities.Here are some recent events that should boggle one's mind and explode :
1.RSS has come out with a novel offer;Dalits may be appointed as Pandits in Hindu temples.
2.Namdev Dhasal , a well poet and activist has retorted back saying that dalits be given reservations and share in power.
3.Another leader Yogendra kawade has said that communal violence is more dangerous than terrorism.
4.Raja Dhale loved to state ;Social equality is established because of Buddha's teachings.
5.Ramdas Athavale has lashed out;The present Govt.has failed to protect dalits.
6.The Most respected Buddhist monk Rahul Bodhi has claimed; This is time for Hindu dharma to repent and get lost.We won't fall prey to the RSS game plan.Their count down has begun.
7.Prof.DV Bagul in a function held in Pune made it;Ashoka's was real golden era ..cause he sent his people to spread Buddhist thoughts all over the globe.
8.Soina Gandhi simply said; Pl.give equal opp.to the students from backward sections ensuring reservations for OBC .

The present dalit and Buddhist leadership has self hypnotised under the new Dhamma as if it's come out as the last alternative to Hindu Dharma whereas Sonia's statements seem more sensible and decent as usual.Dr.Ambedkar while drafting Preamble and clauses for Indian Constitution did give great weightage to the Buddha's teaching among other things.The IC came into effect during 1949 and Ibdian Republic was declared on 26.1.1950 .The historical event completed 50 years on 26.1.2000 right when BJP + was in power talking about abolishing IC and Parliamentary system through it's other outfits ;setting up of Dharma Sansad ,Ashram style schools ,astrology in Universities and so on.Do you remember any Buddhist/Ambedkarite units or leaders celebrating 50 th ann.of IC with fanfare as we see them doing today?

The IC speaks out for keeping State from Religion 'State has no religion and religion is personal effect.Still the story during last 60 years reads to us;State and Religion entered into contract marriages and personal religion has turned out to be a social phenamena.Years ago some one made a shivering remark;Indians can survive without food and education but can't without religious identity.The present hype about Buddha Dhamma is a case before us ;either look at or close our eyes to it .For some, it may be ok to say communal violence is more dangerous than terrorism.But it's like choosing between an appraching tiger from one side and fast crawling cobra from the other side ;both have thier prey within their reach and its' the innocent people of any religion.

The last decade has witnessed one more strange eventuality all over the world. The globalisation crisis has been met by cultural and religious identity crisis.So has been the case with Indians; our modern citizens are preferring religious and cultural identities to yet-to-be-fully met basic human needs.

The extreme fanatic cults like Brahminism are being approached by near similar cults and religious identities like Shivadharma (Maratha sect) and now Dhamma in it's newer robe splashed with saffron and blue stripes all over.These new religions have not at all threatened the upper caste communal politics.All have come out with stronger and clinching teeth ;love to hate and hate to love.The basic religious teachings like love and let live have lost their glare and facial expressions behind the glare.All have given cardinal or draconian call for bringing the world under their religion ;Christian and Islam did make some in roads during last 2000 years or so.Is it possible for Brahminic,Shivadharma and neo buddhists to keep pace when we don't need any religion as politics at all in future ?We have Buddhists today demanding statues and temples of Buddha and no one is there to ask for schools , food , health .etc. No wonder then RSS came out for creating jobs for dalits in Hindu temples.

Buddha said; Buddhamm, Sharanam Gachhaami - ;He meant; whenever you face a material problem ,look within thyself;ask your consciousness to provide an answer and if it gives one follow it;.Today's Buddhists/leaders seem to mean it;whenever you face a problem, just blame it on others ;forget Buddha's versions.Put up his built ups.It's our new dhamma .May be Buddha was aware of it;he closed his eyes long before he died in a natural way.

-- Pradeep Deshpande (Socio-Political-Economic Writer)
(13-12-2006)