Deekshabhoomi – Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and the Great Conversion to Buddhism on October 14, 1956 at Nagpur

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Deekshabhoomi (also spelt Deeksha Bhoomi or Diksha Bhoomi) at Nagpur in Maharashtra is a living symbol of modern India. It is intrinsically linked as much to Bharat’s past – her Vedic and Buddhist heritage, the rise of a hydra-headed caste system at a certain point in her long journey and its multifarious ramifications on generations; as it is to Bharat’s future – the issues that define identities and communities, their multiple interpretations and the far-ranging impact of their proposed solutions.

The Story of Deekshabhoomi – Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and the Great Conversion to Buddhism on October 14, 1956

Diksha or Deeksha is the Sanskrit term for initiation and is used widely to connote formal acceptance by an individual of a guru or an order (in the dharmic context) while Bhoomi is land. For the uninitiated, Deekshabhoomi is a sacred spot for Navayana Buddhists (also referred to as Neo-Buddhists) as it was at Deekshabhoomi, that one of the makers of modern India – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1891-1956) and his wife – Smt. Savita Ambedkarji formally embraced Buddhism in a solemn and emotionally charged ceremony on Vijayadashmi, October 14, 1956. The event is commemorated as the Dharma Chakra Pravartan Diwas and the historic ceremony was presided over by the oldest and senior most bhikshu in India at that time, the Mahasthavir, Bhante Chandramani who was originally from Burma.

Smt. Ambedkar and Babasaheb Ambedkar took the ‘Three Refuges – Buddham sharanam gachchami. Dhammam sharanam gachchami. Sangham sharanam gachchami ’[i] and the ‘Five Precepts’[ii] from U Chandramani. As soon as the formalities of the Diksha were complete, Dr. Ambedkar rose to his feet and took a series of 22 vows which he had drawn up specially for this momentous occasion.

He then turned to the massive crowds that had gathered at his behest and asked those who were willing to embrace Buddhism to get up. Around 400,000 enthusiastic people[iii] present on this historic occasion accepted their willingness and in a rather untraditional manner, Babasaheb converted them to Buddhism. Men, women children sought refuge in the Three Jewels, accepted the Five Precepts and took the 22 vows that had been put together by Babasaheb.

An unprecedented event in the history of India and Buddhism had culminated. The wheel had turned once more. The happenings at Deekshabhoomi coupled with Dr. Ambedkar’s influential work – ‘Buddha and his Dhamma’ gave impetus to a new facet of engaged Buddhism and to what is now referred to as Navayana Buddhism. The event continues to have a significant impact on the politics of caste and occasionally on relationships between multiple communities. Many questions also remain unanswered.

Unfortunately, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar passed away on December 6, 1956, (referred to as Mahaparinirvana Diwas) merely a few weeks after the ceremony and before his book could be published. His legacy lives on.

Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Annihilation of Caste

The Stupa at Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur

To commemorate the epoch-making event mentioned above, a giant, two-storied Stupa with four ornamented toranas or gates was inaugurated on December 18, 2001, by the then President of India, Shri K. R. Narayanan at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur.  The Stupa isdefinitely reminiscent of the breathtaking, great Stupa at Sanchi which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site but is modern in execution and incorporates contemporary architectural elements. Crowned with a hollow globelike structure that has a diameter of 120 feet, it houses the mortal remains of Dr. Ambedkar in a silver asthikalash (urn contains relics) and a large prayer hall.

The vast and green precincts of Deekshabhoomi which delight both the pilgrim and the tourist are also home to a sacred Bodhi Tree and a Buddhist Vihara. The Bodhi tree is special given its unparalleled antiquity and based on accounts can perhaps be traced to the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, a branch of which was sent to Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka.[iv]

Notes and References

1. The account of the Diksha ceremony in this piece is largely based on – ‘Sangharakshita. 1986. Ambedkar and Buddhism. First South Asian edition. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers’. Even though the book is not free from biases, it tells a riveting story, mentions many small details and goes behind the scenes to help understand the thought process of Babasaheb Ambedkar.
2. For more details on the Deeksha Bhoomi Stupa at Nagpur, please refer to deekshabhoomi.org
3. The 22 Vows of Dr. Ambedkar (Source: https://www.drambedkar.co.in/22-vows/ – Extracted on December 6, 2024)
   1. I shall have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh nor shall I worship them.
   2. I shall have no faith in Rama and Krishna who are believed to be incarnation of God nor shall I worship them.
   3. I shall have no faith in ‘Gauri’, Ganapati and other gods and goddesses of Hindus nor shall I worship them.
   4. I do not believe in the incarnation of God.
   5. I do not and shall not believe that Lord Buddha was the incarnation of Vishnu. I believe this to be sheer madness and false propaganda.
   6. I shall not perform ‘Shraddha’ nor shall I give ‘pind-daan’.
   7. I shall not act in a manner violating the principles and teachings of the Buddha.
   8. I shall not allow any ceremonies to be performed by Brahmins.
   9. I shall believe in the equality of man.
   10. I shall endeavour to establish equality.
   11. I shall follow the ‘noble eightfold path’ of the Buddha.
   12. I shall follow the ‘paramitas’ prescribed by the Buddha.
   13. I shall have compassion and loving kindness for all living beings and protect them.
   14. I shall not steal.
   15. I shall not tell lies.
   16. I shall not commit carnal sins.
   17. I shall not take intoxicants like liquor, drugs etc.
   18. I shall endeavour to follow the noble eightfold path and practise compassion and loving kindness in every day life.
   19. I renounce Hinduism which is harmful for humanity and impedes the advancement and development of humanity because it is based on inequality and adopt Buddhism as my religion.
   20. I firmly believe the Dhamma of the Buddha is the only true religion.
   21. I believe that I am having a re-birth.
   22. I solemnly declare and affirm that I shall hereafter lead my life according to the principles and teachings of the Buddha and his Dhamma.

End Notes

[i] Three Refuges in Buddhism – बुद्धं शरणं गच्छामि। धर्मं (धम्मं) शरणं गच्छामि। संघं शरणं गच्छामि। – I go to the Buddha for refuge. I go to the Dhamma for refuge. I go to the Sangha for refuge.

[ii] Five Precepts of Buddhism (पञ्च शील) (Reference – The Five Precepts: pañca-sila):

1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.
2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.
4. I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.
5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.

[iii] The exact number of people who embraced Buddhism on October 14, 1956, is not known for obvious reasons. 380,000 to 400,000 is the generally accepted number. It is pertinent to note that on the next day another ~100,000 people embraced Buddhism at the same spot.

[iv] “Three branches of the Bodhi Tree at Anuradhapura (Sri Lanka) were requested officially to the Government of Sri Lanka and were brought to Deekshabhoomi by Bhadant Anand Kausalyayan, Bhadant Dr. Hampolo Ratansara and Bhadant Aanandmangal. The saplings were taken from the same Bodhi Tree planted by Sanghamitra, daughter of the Great Emperor Asoka, during her monkhood (253 B. C.). The Bodhi Tree in Sri Lanka was originally a sapling from the bodhivriksha under which the Buddha became enlightened. Each Bhante planted those three saplings at the same place. In a formal ceremony on 12^th May 1968 (Vaishakh Bouddha Pournima) those three saplings were planted. The present Bodhi Tree at deekshabhoomi today is an intact combination of these three sapling now appearing as one.” – Extracted from  https://www.deekshabhoomi.org/bodhi-tree/ on December 6, 2024.