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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Women’s panel orders magisterial inquiry into gangrape case http://ping.fm/kxohL
Post-Mirchpur, SC panel to have offices in 8 more states http://ping.fm/Xf2yh
States diverting funds meant for Dalits’ welfare http://ping.fm/KCrO2
Police quiz people in connection with rape of Dalit woman http://ping.fm/wLlj3
Equal opportunity cell in the offing http://ping.fm/erIme
No SC contestant for 5 yrs, village gets Thakur as head http://ping.fm/nWdKU
Justice at last for Dalits http://ping.fm/7JCqE
Media Research Course in Jawahar Lal Nehru University http://ping.fm/l6gE1
“The Hindus wanted the Vedas and they sent for
Vyasa, who was not a caste Hindu. The Hindus wanted an Epic and they sent for Valmiki, who was an Untouchable. The Hindus wanted a
Constitution, and they sent for me.” Dr. B.R. Ambedkare.
What's Life http://ping.fm/yc1AB
Sonu Nigam launches 'Buddha Hi Buddha Hai' album http://ping.fm/LC5tj
Dalit family sold for Rs 2 lakh http://ping.fm/U2gfQ

Friday, October 29, 2010

Demand to accord Rajghat status to place where Ambedkar died http://ping.fm/DvcBs
AP: Upper castes deny water to dalits in village http://ping.fm/V1Zzn
Defense Ministry Is Den Of Corruption - DR. Udit Raj http://ping.fm/HwIRb
"Ambedkar’s Desiderata" - through Neeraj Paul http://ping.fm/xnTGh
Important: Career calling: M.Phil in Ambedkar studies http://ping.fm/PGGVC
SC status to dalit Muslims might wait for some time: petitioners http://ping.fm/VonV8
Humayu or Gandhi More Important Than DR. B R Ambedkar In India? http://ping.fm/eit2B
President Obama should highlight oppressive and inhuman caste system-culture in India Petition http://ping.fm/V1DlU
Humayu or Gandhi Are More Important Than DR. BR Ambedkar In India? http://ping.fm/bdSWx
Politics and Violence in Orissa http://ping.fm/pkxx2
Ethnic Cleansing in Orissa: India's Persecuted Christians http://ping.fm/WAsJw
From homemakers to decision makers http://ping.fm/HXrjw
Where adivasis can dare to dream http://ping.fm/Fr7Xl

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Gandhi Behind the Mask of Divinity http://ping.fm/TqRyB
Sapna Surin: Your Background Never Leaves You Even In Work Spaces http://ping.fm/OauGJ
His Canon Spiked: Kancha Ilaiah http://ping.fm/9Uz8D
"Like the Nandas and Mauryas, the Gupta Kings were Sudras & opposed to Vedic religion. A man belonging to Barber Caste had established Nanda dynasty. Present day Banias strategically appropriated the word Gupta and Vaisya. They have no justification to call themselves as Guptas. Word "Gupt" means hidden. As such, they ought to admit that they are Sudras and, therefore, non-Vedic." Dr. S L Dhani
Dr. Gyanendra Kumar: Having self-confidence is most important http://ping.fm/e3P63
In India, his introduction of English in schools is honoured among Dalits for the education and rise to prominence of Dr B. R Ambedkar, the 'untouchable' author of the Indian constitution. -"Thomas Babington Macaulay: a giant of the British Empire - Telegraph http://ping.fm/LSwSF
Being untouchable no longer - New Statesman http://ping.fm/B74V5
"Ambedkar personified many of the qualities of spirit, mind and heart which animate the ideals and work of the United Nations. He was a fervent believer, and example, of the innate right of human beings to aspirations and the means to their fulfillment." - Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Former U.N. Secretary-General and also a Columbia alumnus
Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar - “An idea needs propagation as much as a plant needs watering.” http://ping.fm/O4b9E
"COLUMBIA250 COLUMBIANS AHEAD OF THEIR TIME" by Neeraj Paul http://ping.fm/IFbFc
Buddhism was the prevailing religion when Alexander invaded Sindh. Chandragupta Maurya did not change the religion. It was formally adopted as state religion by Asoka around 270 BC. Pushyamitra. Commander-in-chief, a Brahman, killed the last Maurya Emperor.became a ruler and re-establihed Vedic religion. - DR. SL Dhani
Dalit case: SC directs Haryana to file response in three weeks http://ping.fm/YTJYu
Miscreants beat up dalit woman, family members http://ping.fm/iSLG9
Dalit couple commits suicide http://ping.fm/Ruh1H
BBC News - Indian Dalits' suffering laid bare by photographer http://ping.fm/S3E8A
Stark Truths Of Hinduism http://ping.fm/SZu7j

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Invitation for the culmination of the Samajik Parivarthan Yatra http://ping.fm/ZXrRa
Caste Wars - India http://ping.fm/sUkVa
The Law (Section 124A of IPC) for which Arundhati Roy has been charged was made in the British rule to stop Eminent Indians protesting against British Imperial. Why impose this "Imperial Law" now?
Women In Hinduism « Hinduism Exposed http://ping.fm/ZOcgK
After completing my Mphil from Rohtak University I wanted to do PhD from there itself and decided to work on the topic ‘Shudras in Vedas’. However the faculties there forced me to change my topic and make it ‘Shudras in Literature’. - Dr Kaushal Panwar http://ping.fm/qhhvv
"Quotes by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar" by Neeraj Paul http://ping.fm/eBawE
Brahmanas have been succumbing to pressure of their critics. They accepted Sage Valmiki as author of Ramayana, and Sage Vyasa of the Mahabharata, all Puranas, the Gita and Vyasa-Smriti. Both Valmiki and Vyasa were born as Untouchables like Dr. Ambedkar. Guru Ravidas and Saint Kabir could not be so converted because of being Cobbler and weaver. They were described to be Brahmanas in their previous births." Dr. SL Dhani http://www.sldhani.com
Untouchability and the hug of the century http://ping.fm/hy08Z
"Dalits have been appointed in government service in greater proportion than their share in population, it is because vacancies at the lowest levels are filled with Dalits, because, perhaps, no one else might be willing to offer himself for such jobs." http://ping.fm/54Htt
दलित युवक को पगार मंगाने पर तंदूर में जलाकर मारा-आपका शहर http://ping.fm/4Blna
एक मंदिर ऐसा, जहां होगी अंग्रेजी देवी की पूजा-लखनऊ-अन्य शहर-Navbharat Times http://ping.fm/ASTXE
The Hindu : Opinion / Readers' Editor : Online : The plight of Dalits and the news media http://ping.fm/reMb7
Speech of Dr B. R. Ambedkar in Hindi, 12-13 Feb 1938 Nasik on Dalit Trade Union http://ping.fm/zIVAU
Speech of Dr B. R. Ambedkar in Hindi, 12-13 Feb 1938 Nasik on Dalit Trade Union http://ping.fm/2CiLr
Understanding the Khairlanji Verdict http://ping.fm/d2lg3
Tearing Down the Wall of Caste by Navi Pillay http://ping.fm/SojfX

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Dr Ambedkar : An Ambassador of Humanity - Mainstream Weekly. http://ping.fm/fGTlK
Why Many Statues of Dr B R Ambedkar in India? http://ping.fm/dFVoO
Pity the nation that needs to jail those who ask for justice: Arundhati Roy http://ping.fm/SgRYi
Why many statues of Dr Ambedkar in India? « Atrocity News http://ping.fm/Fq4qt
Join forum : Mook Naayak मूकनायक (topics related to SC/ST/OBC & all downtrodden Indians) http://ping.fm/WrzUy
होनहार वाल्मीकि छात्र की कालेज में हुई हत्या http://ping.fm/gqRTC
Facebook | Kallara Sukumaran http://ping.fm/ZbhsM
Kaushal Panwar: My teacher's casteism and sexism became my motivation http://ping.fm/x4lTG
Abhay Xaxa: A Role Model Par Excellence http://ping.fm/v4XVt
What Path to Salvation? by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar http://ping.fm/nxhGB
Hindutva And The Dalit-Bahujans: Dangerous Portents By Yoginder Sikand http://ping.fm/9BAev
Bant Singh: Dalit folk hero rises up through song http://ping.fm/1CxLR
Relevance of Ambedkar http://ping.fm/RYqyj
Dalit Buddhist movement http://ping.fm/PFCb9
Ambedkar and the Hindu Reform Movement http://ping.fm/yPMel
Destroying a Dream http://ping.fm/hnOyo
Is this 21st-century apartheid? http://ping.fm/pFEd7
Faith accompli http://ping.fm/5mMJB
Fifty-two years after Ambedkar changed his faith, conversion still treated with suspicion in India http://ping.fm/lkXf4
Stark Truths Of Hinduism http://ping.fm/VuC5q
Understanding the Khairlanji Verdict http://ping.fm/vCuUQ
Politics and Violence in Orissa http://ping.fm/tnZwc
Ethnic Cleansing in Orissa: India's Persecuted Christians http://ping.fm/SjbXN
Will Obama Spell Justice Outside of the U.S.? http://ping.fm/8TbNT
My sobering reality: The slumdog millionaire's India http://ping.fm/qxMiZ
Death of a statesman: Indian Lincoln ignored By Kancha Ilaiah http://ping.fm/z17IL
Meet on Dalit problems tomorrow http://ping.fm/zW6qO
Tearing Down the Wall of Caste by Navi Pillay http://ping.fm/jxRfF
Untouchability and the hug of the century http://ping.fm/rOpUA
Punia for improving conviction rates in SC/ST atrocity cases http://ping.fm/WGtQ0
Punia concerned over high pendency of cases under SC/ST Act http://ping.fm/qVVKP
Dalit Conference In Kakinada http://ping.fm/1QIkL
Untouchability still rules Goa even after liberation http://ping.fm/tZeyu
Dalit woman sarpanch leaves village in fear of Panchayat secretary http://ping.fm/8ev6p
Why Babasaheb Converted to Buddhism http://ping.fm/k7DW4
An appeal to the Honorable Barack Obama http://ping.fm/chzii
‘From Jai Shri Ram to Jai Bhim’ http://ping.fm/ZJSEa

Monday, October 25, 2010

Protect the human rights of an innocent Dalit boy Pidathala Sathyambabu from corrupted judiciary and police, who falsely implicated and punished him for life sentence in Ayesha Meera murder case, to protect the real culprits Petition http://ping.fm/XOfQV
Young girls sold for Rs 2 lakh http://ping.fm/RxPTh
SC/ST applicant list: HC notice to GMADA, Punjab http://ping.fm/lxBQs
Demanding re investigation in Ayeshameera murder case by CBI http://ping.fm/OXHFq
Dalits press for induction of their leader in cabinet http://ping.fm/5v2fX

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Why I Am Not a Hindu http://ping.fm/lAdeq
Temple clashes force Dalits to plan mass conversion http://ping.fm/rerHv
Dalit youth executed 'Taliban-style' in Kerala http://ping.fm/txQzw
Minor dalit girl raped http://ping.fm/cF1Lg
L Subramaniam acquitted in rape case of Dalit Girl http://ping.fm/FB29v
Man given 10 years RI for abandoning Dalit girl http://ping.fm/sW5in
Six Indian Men Jailed In Dalit Leader’s Murder In Austrian Temple Attack http://ping.fm/yagNy
Ambedkar and the Hindu Reform Movement http://ping.fm/FBJsr
Obama should pay homage to Ambedkar By Kancha Ilaiah http://ping.fm/8p1MR
दिल्ली में दलित होने की सजा-नज़रिया-विचार मंच-Navbharat Times http://ping.fm/fTIo2
दलित ने खिलाई रोटी, कुत्ता हुआ अछूत http://ping.fm/94UjW
Indian Dalits' suffering laid bare by photographer http://ping.fm/p8rRd
Parlaiment Protest For Reservation In Private Sector शोषण के खिलाफ जंग http://ping.fm/S5EmR
Dalit Indian film Director Nikhil Sablania's horror film "The Sigh" (Siski) has been selected at "Festival de jovenes Realizadores de Granada" Spain http://ping.fm/SfEc2

Saturday, October 23, 2010

DALITS NOT WELCOME IN IIT MADRAS http://ping.fm/YbXvQ
'The spirit of autonomy of the university has been violated' http://ping.fm/7Pvk0
Round Table India | SC/ST applicant list: HC notice to GMADA, Punjab http://ping.fm/MDkpv
Do we need to give priorities in the assigned reservation of SC/ST/OBC, to the castes much deprived within SC/ST/OBC ? http://ping.fm/fms6e
BJP CAN’T BE STRONGER BY BALMIKI STATUE http://ping.fm/z8G20
“Know Truth as Truth and Untruth as Untruth" - Buddha
The Evil of Caste http://ping.fm/wS5cS
Reading "A Brahmin's Cow Tales - History of Beef Eating in India b..." on Scribd http://ping.fm/jG7aS Readcast
Buddha advices-"Gautam Buddha had told Ajatshatru in response to his problem with a particular unmanageable tribe, "As long as they continue to meet and discuss their issues, they are bound to progress." - Dr. S L Dhani
Buddhist Monastery school in India destroyed by fire http://ping.fm/dvZiD

Friday, October 22, 2010

"Pakistan or The Partition of India" by Dr. BR Ambedkar http://ping.fm/9tRJl
Is the free market improving lives of India's Dalits? http://ping.fm/PS5Aw
Politics of Ram Temple in Ayodhya http://ping.fm/eIvKJ
Why Do India's Dalits Hate Gandhi? http://ping.fm/Pfs68
Thousands embrace Buddhism on Vijaya Dashmi http://ping.fm/mNcQY
"Not a mother, not a father will do so much, nor any other relatives as a well directed mind will
do us." (from "Buddha & His Dhamaa" by Dr. BR Ambedkar)
'First address internal issues, then aim for superpower status' http://ping.fm/d9JDc
Dalit Killed For Stopping Eveteasers http://ping.fm/wsLG3

Thursday, October 21, 2010

SC/ST/OBC & Buddhist Facebook pages - 1













Join the SC/ST/OBC and Buddhist Leaders, Reformers, Eminent Personalities & Political Parties' Facebook Pages - 1

Dr. B R Ambedkar

Ramdas Athawale



Birsa Munda

Bhadant Nagarjun Arya Surai Sasai

Bhikshu Uttam

Acharya Ishvardatt Medharthi

Bodhanand Mahastavir

Kripasaran Mahasthavir

Iyothee Thass

Dr. S L Dhani

Dr. Udit Raj

Nichidatsu Fujii

Buddha

D K Khaparde

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

RELIGION AND DHAMMA (Aka Bauddh Religion)












PART I : RELIGION AND DHAMMA

1. What is Religion?

2. How Dhamma Differs From Religion.

3. The Purpose of Religion and the Purpose of Dhamma.

4. Morality and Religion.

5. Dhamma and Morality.

6. Mere Morality is not Enough. It must be Sacred and Universal.

RELIGION

§ 1. What is Religion ?

1. The word " religion " is an indefinite word with no fixed meaning.

2. It is one word with many meanings.

3. This is because religion has passed through many stages. The concept at each stage is called
Religion though the concept at one stage has not had the same meaning which it had at the
preceding stage or is likely to have at the succeeding stage.

4. The conception of religion was never fixed.

5. It has varied from time to time.

6. Because most of the phenomena such as lightning, rain and floods, the occurrence of which the primitive man could not explain, any weird performance done to control the phenomenon was called magic. Religion therefore came to be identified with magic.

7. Then came the second stage in the evolution of religion. In this stage religion came to be
identified with beliefs, rituals, ceremonies, prayers and sacrifices.

8. But this conception of religion is derivative.

9. The pivotal point in religion starts with the belief that there exists some power which causes
these phenomena which primitive man did not know and could not understand. Magic lost its
place at this stage.

10. This power was originally malevolent. But later it was felt that it could also be benevolent.

II. Beliefs, rites, ceremonies and sacrifices were necessary both to propitiate a benevolent power
and also to conciliate an angry power.

12. Later that power was called God or the Creator.

13. Then came the third stage that it is this God who created this world and also man.

14. This was followed by the belief that man has a soul and the soul is eternal and is answerable to God for man's actions in the world.

15. This is, in short, the evolution of the concept of Religion.

16. This is what Religion has come to be and this is what it connotes—belief in God, belief in soul, worship of God, curing of the erring soul, propitiating God by prayers, ceremonies, sacrifices, etc.

§2. How Dhamma Differs From Religion

1. What the Buddha calls Dhamma differs fundamentally from what is called Religion.

2. What the Buddha calls Dhamma is analogous to what the European theologians call Religion.

3. But there is no greater affinity between the two. On the other hand, the differences between the two are very great.

4. On this account some European theologians refuse to recognise the Buddha's Dhamma as
Religion.

5. There need be no regrets over this. The loss is theirs. It does no harm to the Buddha's Dhamma. ather, it shows what is wanting in Religion.

6. Instead of entering into this controversy it is better to proceed to give an idea of Dhamma and
show how it differs from Religion.

7. Religion, it is said, is personal and one must keep it to oneself. One must not let it play its part in public life.

8. Contrary to this, Dhamma is social. It is fundamentally and essentially so.

9. Dhamma is righteousness, which means right relations between man and man in all spheres of life.

10. From this it is evident that one man if he is alone does not need Dhamma.

11. But when there are two men living in relation to each other they must find a place for Dhamma whether they like it or not. Neither can escape it.

12. In other words. Society cannot do without Dhamma.

13. Society has to choose one of the three alternatives.

14. Society may choose not to have any Dhamma, as an instrument of Government. For Dhamma
is nothing if it is not an instrument of Government.

15. This means Society chooses the road to anarchy.

16. Secondly, Society may choose the police, i.e., dictatorship as an instrument of Government.

17. Thirdly, Society may choose Dhamma plus the Magistrate wherever people fail to observe the
Dhamma.

18. In anarchy and dictatorship liberty is lost.

19. Only in the third liberty survives.

20. Those who want liberty must therefore have Dhamma.

21. Now what isDhamma? and why isDhamma necessary ? According to the Buddha, Dhamma
consists of Prajna and Karuna.

22. What is Prajna ? And why Prajna ? Prajna is understanding. The Buddha made Prajna one of the two corner-stones of His Dhamma because he did not wish to leave any room for superstition.

23. What is Karuna? And why Karuna? Karuna is love. Because, without it Society can neither
live nor grow, that is why the Buddha made it the second corner-stone of His Dhamma.

24. Such is the definition of the Buddha's Dhamma.

25. How different is this definition of Dhamma from that of Religion.

26. So ancient, yet so modern is the definition of Dhamma given by the Buddha.

27. So aboriginal yet so original.

28. Not borrowed from anyone, yet so true.

29. A unique amalgam of Pradnya and Karuna is the Dhamma of the Buddha.

30. Such is the difference between Religion and Dhamma.

§ 3. The Purpose of Religion and the Purpose of Dhamma

1. What is the purpose of Religion ? What is the purpose of Dhamma ? Are they one and the same ? Or are they different ?

2. The answer to these questions are to be found in two dialogues—one between the Buddha and
Sunakkhatta and the other between the Buddha and the Brahmin Potthapada.

3. The Exalted One was once staying among the Mallas at Anupiya, one of their towns.
4. Now the Exalted One having robed himself in the early morning, put on his cloak and took his
bowl and entered the town for alms.

5. On the way he thought it was too early to go for alms. Therefore he went to the pleasance where Bhaggava the wanderer dwelt and called on him.

6. On seeing the Blessed One Bhaggava got up, saluted him and said, "May it please you, sire, to be seated ; here is a seat made ready for you."

7. The Exalted One sat down thereon, and Bhaggava taking a certain lowstool sat down beside him. So seated, Bhaggava, the wanderer, spake thus to the Exalted One :

8 " Some days ago, Lord, a good many days ago, Sunakkhatta of the Licchavis called on me and
spake thus: 'I have now given up the Exalted One, Bhaggava. I am remaining no longer under
him (as my teacher).' Is the fact really so, just as he said ? "

9. "It is just so Bhaggava, as Sunakkhatta of the Licchavis said," replied the Riessed One.

10. " Some days ago, Bhaggava, a good many days ago, Sunakkhatta, the Licchavi, came to call on me, and spake thus : ' Sir, I now give up the Exalted One. I will henceforth remain no longer
under him (as my teacher).' When he told me this, I said to him : ' But now, Sunakkhatta, have I
ever said to you, Come, Sunakkhatta, live under me (as my pupil) ? '

11. " ' No, sir, you have not.'

12. " Or have you ever said to me: ' Sir, I would fain dwell under the Exalted One (as my teacher) ?'

13. " 'No, sir, I have not.'

14. " Then I asked him 'If I said not the one, and you said not the other, what are you and what am I that you talk of giving up ? See, foolish one, in how far the fault here is your own.'

15. "'Well, but, sir, the Exalted One works me no mystic wonders surpassing the power of ordinary men'

16. " Why, now Sunakkhatta, have I ever said to you: ' Come, take me as your teacher, Sunakkhatta, and I will work for you mystic wonders surpassing the power of ordinary men ? '

17. " 'You have not, sir.'

18. " Or have you ever said to me: ' Sir, I would fain take the Exalted One as my teacher, for he will work for me mystic wonders beyond the powers of ordinary men ? '

19. "' I have not, sir.'

20. " ' But if I said not the one, and you said not the other, what are you and what am I, foolish man, that you talk of giving up ? What think you, Sunakkhatta? Whether mystic wonders beyond the power of ordinary man are wrought, or whether they are not is the object for which I teach the Dhamma: that it leads to the thorough, destruction of ill for the doer thereof ? '

21. '"Whether, sir, they are so wrought or not, that is indeed the object for which the Dhamma is
taught by the Exalted One.'

22. " ' If then, Sunakkhatta, it matters not to that object whether mystic wonders are wrought or not, of what use to you would be the working of them? See, foolish one, in how far the fault here is your own.'

23. " 'But, sir, the Exalted One does not reveal to me the beginning of things.'

24. " Why now, Sunakkhatta, have I ever said to you: ' Come, Sunakkhatta, be my. disciple and I
will reveal to you the beginning of things ? '

25. " ' Sir, you have not '

26. " Or have you ever said to me: ' I will become the Exalted One's pupil, for he will reveal to me
the beginning of things ? '

27. " ' Sir, I have not.'

28. " ' But if I have not said the one and you have not said the other, what are you and what am I,
foolish man, that you talk of giving up on that account ? What think you, Sunakkhatta?
Whether the beginning of things be revealed, or whether it be not, is the object for which I
teach the Dhamma that it leads to the thorough destruction of ill for the doer thereof ? '

29. " ' Whether, sir, they are revealed or not, that is indeed the object for which the Dhamma is
taught by the Exalted One.'

30. " ' If then, Sunakkhatta, it matters not to that object whether the beginning of things be revealed, or whether it be not, of what use to you would it be to have the beginning of things revealed ? ' "

31. This illustrates that Religion is concerned with revealing the beginning of things and Dhamma is not.

The other differences between Religion and Dhamma are brought out in the discussion between
the Blessed One and Potthapada.

1. The Blessed One was once staying at Shravasti in Anathapindika's pleasance of the Jeta's wood. Now at that time Potthapada, the wandering mendicant was dwelling in the hall put up in
Queen Mallika's park for a debate on general systems of philosophical opinion.

2. There was with him a great following of mendicants; to wit, three hundred. A dialogue took
place between the Blessed Lord and Potthapada. Potthapada asked:

3. " Then, sir, if that be so, tell me at least: Is the world eternal ? Is this alone the truth, and any
other view mere folly ? ' "

4. "That, Potthapada, is a matter on which I have expressed no opinion," replied the Blessed Lord.

5. Then, in the same terms, Potthapada asked each of the following questions : (i) ' Is the
world not eternal ? '

(ii) ' Is the world finite ? '
(iii) ' Is the world infinite ?
(iv) ' Is the soul the same as the body ?'
(v) ' Is the soul one thing, and the body another ? '
(vi) ' Does one who has gained the truth live again after death ? '
(vii) ' Does he not live again after death ? '
(viii) ' Does he both live again and not live again, after death ? '
(ix) ' Does he neither live again, nor not live again, after death?'

6. And to each questions the Exalted One made the same reply :—

7. " That too, Potthapada, is a matter on which I have expressed no opinion."

8. " But why has the Exalted One expressed no opinion on that ? "

9. " Because this question is not calculated to profit, it is not concerned with the Dhamma, it does not redound even to the elements of right conduct, nor to detachment, nor to purification from lusts, nor to quietude, nor to tranquillisation of heart, nor to real knowledge, nor to the insight (of the higher stages of the Path), nor to Nirvana. Therefore is it that I express no opinion upon it. "

10. " Then what is it that the Exalted One has determined ? ' '

11. "I have expounded, Potthapada, what Dukkha is ; I have expounded what is the origin of
Dukkha; I have expounded what is the cessation of Dukkha : I have expounded what is the
method by which one may reach the cessation of Dukkha."

12. " And why has the Exalted One put forth a statement as to that ? "

13. " Because that question, Potthapada, is calculated to profit, is concerned with the Dhamma,
redounds to the beginnings of right conduct, to detachment, to purification from lusts, .to
quietude, to tranquillisation of heart, to real knowledge, to the insight of the higher stages of the
Path and to Nirvana. There-fore is it, Potthapada, that I have put forward a statement as to that."

14. In this dialogue it is clearly put forth what is the subject matter of Religion and what is not the subject matter of Dhamma. The two are poles apart

15. The purpose of Religion is to explain the origin of the world. The purpose of Dhamma is to
reconstruct the world.

§ 4. Morality and Religion

1. What is the place of morality in Religion ?

2. As a matter of truth morality has no place in Religion.

3. The content of religion consists of God, soul, prayers, worship, rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices.

4. Morality comes in only wherein man comes in relation to man.

5. Morality comes in into religion as a side wind to maintain peace and order.

6. Religion is a triangular piece.

7. Be good to your neighbour because you are both children of God.

8. That is the argument of religion.

9. Every religion preaches morality but morality is not the root of religion.

10. It is a wagon attached to it. It is attached and detached as the occasion requires.

11. The action of morality in the functioning of religion is therefore casual and occasional.

12. Morality in religion is therefore not effective.

§ 5. Dhamma and Morality

1. What is the place of morality in Dhamma ?

2. The simple answer is Morality is Dhamma and Dhamma is Morality.

3. In other words, in Dhamma morality takes the place of God although there is no God in
Dhamma.

4. In Dhamma there is no place for prayers, pilgrimages, rituals, ceremonies or sacrifices.

5. Morality is the essence of Dhamma. Without it there is no Dhamma.

6. Morality in Dhamma arises from the direct necessity for man to love man.

7. It does not require the sanction of God. It is not to please God that man has to be moral. It is for his own good that man has to love man.

§ 6. Mere Morality is not Enough. It must be Sacred and Universal

1. When is a thing sacred? Why is a thing sacred ?

2. In every human society, primitive or advanced, there are some things or beliefs which it regards as sacred and the rest as profane.

3. When a thing or belief has reached the stage of being sacred (pavitra) it means that it cannot be violated. Indeed it cannot be touched. It is taboo.

4. Contrary to this, a thing or a belief which is profane (apavitra), i.e., outside the field of the
sacred, may be violated. It means one can act contrary to it, without feeling any fear or qualms
of conscience.

5. The sacred is something holy. To transgress it is a sacrilege.

6. Why is a thing made sacred ? To confine the scope of the question to the matter in hand, why
morality should have been made sacred ?

7. Three factors seem to have played their part in making morality sacred.

8. The first factor is the social need for protecting the best.

9. The background of this question lies imbedded in what is called the struggle of existence and the survival of the fittest.

10. This arises out of the theory of evolution. It is common knowledge that evolution takes place
through a struggle for existence because the means of food supply in early times were so
limited.

11. The struggle is bitter. Nature is said to be red in claw and tooth.

12. In this struggle which is bitter and bloody only the fittest survive.

13. Such is the original state of society.

14. In the course of ancient past someone must have raised the question, Is the fittest (the strongest) the best ? Would not the weakest if protected be ultimately the best for advancing the ends and aims of society ?

15. The then prevailing state of society seems to have given an answer in the affirmative.

16. Then comes, the question what is the way to protect the weak ?

17. Nothing less than to impose some restraints upon the fittest.

18. In this lies the origin and necessity for morality.

19. This morality had to be sacred because it was imposed originally on the fittest, i.e., the
strongest.

20. This has very serious consequences.

21. First, does morality in becoming social become anti-social ?

22. It is not that there is no morality among thieves. There is morality among businessmen. There is morality among fellow castemen and there is also morality among a gang of robbers.

23. But this morality is marked by isolation and exclusiveness. It is a morality to protect " group
interest. " It is therefore anti-social.

24. It is the isolation and exclusiveness of this kind of morality which throws its anti-social spirit in relief.

25. The same is true where a group observes morality because it has interests of its own to protect.

26. The results of this group organisation of society are far-reaching.

27. If society continues to consist of anti-social groups, society will remain a disorganised and a
factional society.

28. The danger of a disorganised and factional state of society is that it sets up a number of different models and standards.

29. In the absence of common models and common standards society cannot be a harmonious
whole.

30. With such different models and standards it is impossible for the individual to attain consistency of mind.

31. A society which rests upon the supremacy of one group over another irrespective of its rational or proportionate claims inevitably leads to conflict.

32. The only way to put a stop to conflict is to have common rules of morality which are sacred to all.

33. There is the third factor which requires morality to be made sacred and universal. It is to
safeguard the growth of the individual.

34. Under the struggle for existence or under group rule the interests of the individuals are not safe.

35. The group set-up prevents an individual from acquiring consistency of mind which is possible only when society has common ideals, common models. His thoughts are led astray and this creates a mind whose seeing unity is forced and distorted.

36. Secondly the group set-up leads to discrimination and denial of justice.

37. The group set-up leads to stratification of classes. Those who are masters remain masters and those who are born in slavery remain slaves. Owners remain owners and workers remain
workers. The privileged remain privileged and the serfs remain serfs.

38. This means that there can be liberty for some but not for all. This means that there can be
equality for a few but none for the majority.

39. What is the remedy ? The only remedy lies in making fraternity universally effective.

40. What is fraternity ? It is nothing but another name for brotherhood of men which is another
name for morality.

41. This is why the Buddha preached that Dhamma is morality and as Dhamma is sacred so is
morality.

Collected from book - "Buddha & His Dhamma" by Dr BR Ambedkar

Collector - Nikhil Sablania

Email: sablanian@gmail.com


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