Dr. AMBEDKAR, ETHICS AND CONVERSION: A CONCEPTUAL REFLECTION

Abstract

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar an extra ordinary man with outstanding and incomparable ability successfully overcame arduous and intimidating obstructions that a prejudiced and discriminatory society presents in the life of individuals. He desired to impart a systematic and comprehensive insight of religious and moral order in the society. Critical of the conventional and unethical practices in religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism as well, he ruled out the idea of prescription of certain rules as well as Naimitika Karmas-daily observance as having to do anything to do with ethical order of the society (Ambedkar, B.R. 1995: 32-33). In fact, Dr. Ambedkar proposed to develop and institute an ethical and moral order based on principles and not rules which many religion adhere to (Joseph 2013: 15-16). Reasoning on scientific basis and its central standing for the idea of equality were the reasons reason why Dr. Ambedkar  embraced  Buddhism. Buddhism for him sought to achieve equality, liberty and fraternity. Therefore, it should be noted that, “he admitted shudras to the bhikkhu sangha and women could become bhikkhunis. Buddha was not prepared to give up his opposition to the doctrine of Chaturvarna. His opposition took the string out of the justification for chaturvarna” (Joseph 2013:16). In this backdrop this article seeks to explore Ambedkar’s idea of ethics affecting his voyage of conversion to Buddhism.