Buddhist Violence in India

[clw_uk]

Frequent violent clashes between Buddhist groups and orthodox Hindus have occurred over the years. When in 1994 a garland of shoes was hung around a statue of Ambedkar in Mumbai, sectarian violence and strikes paralyzed the city for over a week. When the following year similar disturbances occurred, a statue of Ambedkar was destroyed. Upper-caste groups in Tamil Nadu have also engaged in violence against Buddhists[citation needed]. In addition, some Dalits who had converted to Buddhism have rioted against Hindus (such as the 2006 Dalit protests in Maharashtra) and desecrated Hindu temples, often incited into doing so by anti-Hindu elements and replacing deities with pictures of Ambedkar[11]. The radical Ambedkarite "Dalit Panthers Movement" has even gone so far as to attempt to assassinate academics who have been critical of Ambedkar's understanding of Buddhism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._R._Ambe ... o_Buddhism

This seems to be a worrying occurence

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

We're already well into the declining era of the Buddha sāsana. False teachings that reject rebirth are common, and Ambedkar's movement is one of those Buddhist traditions that reject many of the orthodox teachings such as kamma and rebirth, celestial beings, hell, and so forth. Dr Ambedkar was an academic, so his views are not surprising. No serious practice and too much theory will not lead to right understanding.

Follow the advice given in the Sallekha Sutta (discussed in a recent thread): Others may hold wrong views, but I will hold right views — thus effacement can be done.

[Ben]

Well said, Bhante!