Navayana
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Navayana (Pali: नवयान navayāna, "new vehicle"), also known as Neo Buddhism or Bhimayāna, refers to the idea that a Navayana Buddhist movement may represent a new yāna, i.e. major branch of Buddhism, in addition to the traditionally recognized branches of Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. This status has been claimed both for the Dalit Buddhist movement[1] as well as Western Buddhism. 'Navayana' is a word given by it's founder Babasaheb Ambedkar in Dhamma Deeksha or mass conversion ceremony and his book about Buddhism, The Buddha and His Dhamma, which is the holy book of Navayana followers. Navayana Buddhism and Navayana Buddhists are also called as respectively Neo Buddhism and Neo Buddhists.
Origins
Navayana Buddhism began when B. R. Ambedkar and more than half million followers converted to Buddhism from Hinduism on October 14th, 1956. After that on every year 14th October is celebrated as Dhammachakra Pravartan Day at Dikshabhoomi, Nagpur.
I will accept and follow the teachings of Buddha. I will keep my people away from the different opinions of Hinayana and Mahayana, two religious orders. Our Buddhism is a new Buddhism, Navayana.— Babasaheb Ambedkar, Press interview on 13 October 1956 at Sham Hotel, Nagpur[2]
B. R. Ambedkar is regarded as a great Bodhisattva by Indian Buddhists, specially Neo-Buddhists followers.[3]
Status in India
Navayana Buddhists (converted or neo Buddhists) comprise more than 87% of Indian Buddhist community according to 2011 Census of India.[4] According to the 2011 Census of India there are 8.4 million Buddhists in India but Buddhist leaders claim there are about 50 to 60 million Buddhists in India.[5] Indian Buddhists are socially more developed compared with Dalits, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs from India.[6][7]
See also
References
- ↑ Omvedt, Gail. Buddhism in India : Challenging Brahmanism and Caste. 3rd ed. London/New Delhi/Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2003. pages: 2, 3-7, 8, 14-15, 19, 240, 266, 271
- ↑ Navayan: Homeland of Ambedkarite Buddhism, Official Website
- ↑ http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ambedkar/timeline/1960s_andafter.html
- ↑ "Dalits Are Still Converting to Buddhism, but at a Dwindling Rate".
- ↑ "INDIA Indian Buddhists reject religious census". m.asianews.it.
- ↑ "बौद्ध बनने से दलितों को फायदा ही फायदा". www.nationaldastak.com.
- ↑ Moudgil, Manu. "Conversion To Buddhism Has Brought Literacy, Gender Equality And Well-Being To Dalits - IndiaSpend-Journalism India -Data Journalism India-Investigative Journalism-IndiaSpend". www.indiaspend.com.
Further reading
- Jondhale, Surendra; Beltz, Johannes (2004). Reconstructing the world : B.R. Ambedkar and Buddhism in India, New Delhi : Oxford University Press, ISBN 0195665295
- Bellwinkel-Schempp, M. (2007). From Bhakti to Buddhism: Ravidas and Ambedkar, Economic and Political Weekly, June, 9, 2007
- Bellwinkel-Schempp, M.; Schalk, Peter (ed) (2007). Bhakti and Buddhism, in Neuer Buddhismus als gesellschaftlicher Entwurf, Upsala Universitet, p. 187-233
- Singh, Aakash (2011). "The political theology of Navayana Buddhism", in: Péter Losonczi; Mika Luoma-aho; The Future of Political Theology: Religious and Theological Perspectives, Farnham, Surrey, England; Burlington, VT: Ashgate, pp. 159-172. ISBN 9781409417606
External links
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- P.J.C.L. van der Velde, "The Biography, 'Navayana' as the 'new Vehicle' and Upaya", Radboud University, The Netherlands Psychotherapy and Buddhism
- Byung-Jo Chung, "Navayāna Buddhism: A Fresh Direction for Buddhism to Reflect the New Millenium", International Journal of Buddhist Thought & Culture, (September 2003, Vol. 3).