In 1956, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar along with his five lakh followers publicly renounced Hinduism and embraced Buddhism. Before adopting Buddhism, Dr. Ambedkar had given twenty-two vows prescribed by himself to his 5,00,000 followers. It is believed that these 22 vows of Ambedkar are the direction of social revolution which inspires human nature.
22 Vows of Dr Ambedkar
These 22 Buddhist vows were administered by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to his followers on October 14, 1956 when they ‘returned’ from Hinduism to Buddhism. He made these vows in order to completely sever the bonds of his old Hindu religion.
22 Buddhist vows by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
1 I shall have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, 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 Parvati, Ganesh 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.
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 equality of human beings.
10 I shall endeavour to establish equality.
11 I shall follow the Noble Eightfold Path of the Buddha.
12 I shall follow the ten 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.
(The previous five proscriptive vows [#13–17] are from the Five Precepts.)
18 I shall endeavour to follow the Noble Eightfold Path and practice compassion and loving-kindness in everyday life.
19 I renounce Hinduism, which disfavors 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 by adopting Buddhism I am having a re-birth.
22 I solemnly declare and affirm that I shall hereafter lead my life according to the teachings of Buddha’s Dhamma.
Importance of 22 vows
Mandatory to become a Buddhist
In India, if a Hindu person wants to accept Buddhism, he or she has to take these 22 vows along with Trisharan and Panchsheela. That means it is mandatory for Hindu people who are going to become Buddhists to take 22 vows.
Pledge of Renunciation of the Old Religion
पूर्वाश्रमीच्या धर्माची त्याग प्रतिज्ञा (Pledge of Renunciation of the Old Religion)
मी माझ्या पूर्वाश्रमीच्या धर्माचा त्याग करतो हे सिद्ध करण्याकरता मी स्वयंप्रेरणेने खालील प्रतिज्ञा करतो. (In order to prove that I renounce my former religion I make the following pledges of my own accord.)
१. मी ब्रह्मा, विष्णू आणि महेश यांना देव मानणार नाही. अगर त्यांची उपासना करणार नाही.
२. मी राम अगर कृष्ण यांना देव मानणार नाही. अगर त्यांची उपासना करणार नाही.
३. मी गौरी गणपती इत्यादी हिंदू धर्मातील कोणत्याही देव देवतेस देव मानणार नाही अगर त्यांची उपासना करणार नाही.
See also
- 30+ Buddhist celebrities of Bollywood
- What is the Mahar population in Maharashtra?
- World’s 10 Female Buddhist Prime Ministers and Presidents
- List of Scheduled Castes in Maharashtra and Population of each Caste
- List of Scheduled Tribes in Maharashtra and Population of each Tribe
- 13th President Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s views about Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
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