Dhammachakra Pravartan Din 2023 Date: Know History and Significance of Day When Dr BR Ambedkar Embraced Buddhism at Deekshabhoomi

Dhammachakra Pravartan Din is observed every year to mark the day when Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar converted to Buddhism at Deekshabhoomi in Maharashtra's Nagpur. A Buddhist celebration, Dhammachakra Pravartan Din 2023, will be celebrated on October 14. On this day in 1956, Dr Ambedkar and approximately 365,000 followers renounced Hinduism and converted to Buddhism. Dr Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism gave new impetus to the Dalit movement in India. Ashoka Vijayadashami 2023 Date: Know History and Significance of The Day When Samrat Ashok Adopted Buddhism.

Dr Ambedkar decided to leave Hinduism early on and studied other religions to understand which one would suit him better, and finally chose Buddhism. He chose "a morally sound religion". This decision was made to escape the caste system propagated by Hinduism and to find a voice free from the shackles of the four-fold varna system in Hinduism. On Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, many Buddhists gather at the place to celebrate the mass conversion of people to Buddhism. As we prepare to commemorate Dhammachakra Pravartan Din 2023, here is everything you need to know about this day.

Dhammachakra Pravartan Din 2023 Date

Every year, Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din is celebrated on October 14, when Dr Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956. After renouncing Hinduism in the grand ceremony that took place in Nagpur, Dr Ambedkar said, “By discarding my ancient religion which stood for inequality and oppression, today I am reborn".

History and Significance Dhammachakra Pravartan Din

On October 14, 1056, Dr BR Ambedkar and close to his 600,000 followers renounced Hinduism and converted to Buddhism. The Dalit Buddhist movement, also known as the Navayana movement, was launched by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in 1956. Nearly half a million Dalits, who were regarded as untouchables at that time, converted to Navayana Buddhism. Navayana means ‘new vehicle’ and marks the re-interpretation of Buddhism by Dr. Ambedkar 23. This movement rejected Hinduism and challenged the caste system in India while promoting the rights of the Dalit community.

Dr Ambedkar made 22 pledges after converting to Buddhism, one of which is, “I hereby reject my old religion, Hinduism, which is detrimental to the prosperity of humankind and which discriminates between man and man and which treats me as inferior”. Dr Ambedkar dedicated his life to fighting against caste discrimination against the Dalits.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 10, 2023 07:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).