22 Vows administered by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar & Dr.Ambedker

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Pravin Wankhade
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22 Vows administered by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar & Dr.Ambedker

Post by Pravin Wankhade »

22 Vows administered by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar

Dr.Babasaheb Ambedker.
Dr.Babasaheb Ambedker.
b02.gif (114.43 KiB) Viewed 14237 times
(M.A, PH.D, LL.D., D.LITT., D. Sc, BARRISTER-AT-LAW)


Dr B R Ambedkar - Diksha Bhoomi, Nagpur (India) on 14th Oct. 1956 at


1. I shall not consider Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh as God nor shall I worship them.

2. I shall not consider Ram and Krishna as God nor shall I worship them.

3. I shall not believe in Gouri-Ganesh and other Gods and goddesses of Hindu Religion nor shall I worship them.

4. I don’t have faith incarnation of God.

5. I believe that, Buddha is incarnation of Vishnu, is a false and malicious propaganda.

6. I shall not perform shraddha, nor shall I give pind-dan.

7. I shall not practice anything which is against and different from Buddha’s Dhamma.

8. I will not perform any rituals to be performed by Brahmins.

9. I believe that all human beings are equal.

10. I shall make efforts to establish equality.

11. I shall follow the Eightfold path as told by the Buddha.

12. I shall practice ten Paramitas as told by the Buddha.

13. I shall have compassion and living kindness for all living beings and protect them.

14. I shall not steal.

15. I shall not tell lies.

16. I shall not commit any sexual misconduct.

17. I shall not consume liquor/intoxicants.

18. I shall lead a life based on Buddhist Principle of wisdom, Precepts, and compassion.

19. I denounce Hindu religion which is Harmful for my development as a human being and which has treated human being unequal lowly and I accept Buddha’s Dhamma.

20. I am convinced that Buddha’s Dhamma is Saddhamma.

21. I believe that I am taking new birth.

22. I commit that henceforth I shall act as per Buddha’s principles and teachings.



“I have never claimed to be a universal leader of suffering humanity. The problem of the untouchables is quite enough for my slender strength. I do not say that other causes are not equally noble. But knowing that life is short, one can only serve one cause and I have never aspired to do more than serve the Untouchables.”

“The basis of my politics lies in the proposition that the Untouchables are not a sub-division or sub-section of Hindus, and that they are a separate and distinct element in the national life of India.”

“My social philosophy may be said to be enshrined in three words: liberty, equality and fraternity. My philosophy has roots in religion and not in political science. I have derived them from the teachings of my master, the Buddha.”

“I also take refuge in the words of the Buddha to be your own guide. Take refuge in your own reason. Do not listen to the advice of others. Do not succumb to others. Be truthful and take refuge in the truth. Never surrender to anything. If you keep in mind this message of Lord Buddha at this juncture, I am sure, your decision will not be wrong. “

“With great Difficulty, I have brought this CARAVAN where it is seen today.Let the CARAVAN march ON and further ON despite the hurdles, pitfalls and difficulties that may come in its way. If my people, my lieutenants are not able to take the CARAVAN ahead, they should leave it where it is seen today, but in no circumstances they should allow the CARAVAN to go back.”






Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Biography
Dr.Babasaheb Ambedker.
Dr.Babasaheb Ambedker.
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Born: April 14, 1891
Died: December 6, 1956

Qualification: M.A., PH.D., LL.D., D. LITT., D. SC., BARRISTER-AT-LAW

Achievements: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was elected as the chairman of the drafting committee that was constituted by the Constituent Assembly to draft a constitution for the independent India; he was the first Law Minister of India; conferred Bharat Ratna in 1990.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is viewed as messiah of dalits and downtrodden in India. He was the chairman of the drafting committee that was constituted by the Constituent Assembly in 1947 to draft a constitution for the independent India. He played a seminal role in the framing of the constitution. Bhimrao Ambedkar was also the first Law Minister of India. For his yeoman service to the nation, B.R. Ambedkar was bestowed with Bharat Ratna in 1990.

Dr.Bhimrao Ambedkar was bornDr. B.R. Ambedkar on April 14, 1891 in Mhow (presently in Madhya Pradesh). He was the fourteenth child of Ramji and Bhimabai Sakpal Ambavedkar. B.R. Ambedkar belonged to the "untouchable" Mahar Caste. His father and grandfather served in the British Army. In those days, the government ensured that all the army personnel and their children were educated and ran special schools for this purpose. This ensured good education for Bhimrao Ambedkar, which would have otherwise been denied to him by the virtue of his caste.

Bhimrao Ambedkar experienced caste discrimination right from the childhood. After his retirement, Bhimrao's father settled in Satara Maharashtra. Bhimrao was enrolled in the local school. Here, he had to sit on the floor in one corner in the classroom and teachers would not touch his notebooks. In spite of these hardships, Bhimrao continued his studies and passed his Matriculation examination from Bombay University with flying colours in 1908. Bhim Rao Ambedkar joined the Elphinstone College for further education. In 1912, he graduated in Political Science and Economics from Bombay University and got a job in Baroda.

In 1913, Bhimrao Ambedkar lost his father. In the same year Maharaja of Baroda awarded scholarship to Bhim Rao Ambedkar and sent him to America for further studies. Bhimrao reached New York in July 1913. For the first time in his life, Bhim Rao was not demeaned for being a Mahar. He immersed himself in the studies and attained a degree in Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Philosophy from Columbia University in 1916 for his thesis "National Dividend for India: A Historical and Analytical Study." From America, Dr.Ambedkar proceeded to London to study economics and political science. But the Baroda government terminated his scholarship and recalled him back.

The Maharaja of Baroda appointed Dr. Ambedkar as his political secretary. But no one would take orders from him because he was a Mahar. Bhimrao Ambedkar returned to Bombay in November 1917. With the help of Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, a sympathizer of the cause for the upliftment of the depressed classes, he started a fortnightly newspaper, the "Mooknayak" (Dumb Hero) on January 31, 1920. The Maharaja also convened many meetings and conferences of the "untouchables" which Bhimrao addressed. In September 1920, after accumulating sufficient funds, Ambedkar went back to London to complete his studies. He became a barrister and got a Doctorate in science.

After completing his studies in London, Ambedkar returned to India. In July 1924, he founded the Bahishkrit Hitkaraini Sabha (Outcastes Welfare Association). The aim of the Sabha was to uplift the downtrodden socially and politically and bring them to the level of the others in the Indian society. In 1927, he led the Mahad March at the Chowdar Tank at Colaba, near Bombay, to give the untouchables the right to draw water from the public tank where he burnt copies of the 'Manusmriti' publicly.

In 1929, Ambedkar made theDr. B.R. Ambedkar controversial decision to co-operate with the all-British Simon Commission which was to look into setting up a responsible Indian Government in India. The Congress decided to boycott the Commission and drafted its own version of a constitution for free India. The Congress version had no provisions for the depressed classes. Ambedkar became more skeptical of the Congress's commitment to safeguard the rights of the depressed classes.

When a separate electorate was announced for the depressed classes under Ramsay McDonald 'Communal Award', Gandhiji went on a fast unto death against this decision. Leaders rushed to Dr. Ambedkar to drop his demand. On September 24, 1932, Dr. Ambedkar and Gandhiji reached an understanding, which became the famous Poona Pact. According to the pact the separate electorate demand was replaced with special concessions like reserved seats in the regional legislative assemblies and Central Council of States.

Dr. Ambedkar attended all the three Round Table Conferences in London and forcefully argued for the welfare of the "untouchables". Meanwhile, British Government decided to hold provincial elections in 1937. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar set up the "Independent Labor Party" in August 1936 to contest the elections in the Bombay province. He and many candidates of his party were elected to the Bombay Legislative Assembly.

In 1937, Dr. Ambedkar introduced a Bill to abolish the "khoti" system of land tenure in the Konkan region, the serfdom of agricultural tenants and the Mahar "watan" system of working for the Government as slaves. A clause of an agrarian bill referred to the depressed classes as "Harijans," or people of God. Bhimrao was strongly opposed to this title for the untouchables. He argued that if the "untouchables" were people of God then all others would be people of monsters. He was against any such reference. But the Indian National Congress succeeded in introducing the term Harijan. Ambedkar felt bitter that they could not have any say in what they were called.

In 1947, when India became independent, the first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, invited Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, who had been elected as a Member of the Constituent Assembly from Bengal, to join his Cabinet as a Law Minister. The Constituent Assembly entrusted the job of drafting the Constitution to a committee and Dr. Ambedkar was elected as Chairman of this Drafting Committee. In February 1948, Dr. Ambedkar presented the Draft Constitution before the people of India; it was adopted on November 26, 1949.

In October 1948, Dr. Ambedkar submitted the Hindu Code Bill to the Constituent Assembly in an attempt to codify the Hindu law. The Bill caused great divisions even in the Congress party. Consideration for the bill was postponed to September 1951. When the Bill was taken up it was truncated. A dejected Ambedkar relinquished his position as Law Minister.

On May 24, 1956, on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, he declared in Bombay, that he would adopt Buddhism in October. On 0ctober 14, 1956 he embraced Buddhism along with many of his followers. On December 6, 1956, Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar died peacefully in his sleep.



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rahulborde
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Re: 22 Vows administered by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar & Dr.Ambedker

Post by rahulborde »

Most of the people who did the initial conversion were outcast people.
Outcast people are the ancient warriors who fought up to the end against foreign aryans to save their
own territory and refused to become the part of foreign vedik tradition of Brahmans/ Yajanas/ Yavanas;and thus became Outcast,
while other objects which accepted vedik hegemony are considered as The Shudra (meaning not valuable in Sanskrit)
by brahmins, the shudras are the other backward class(OBC).
ck_c
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Re: 22 Vows administered by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar & Dr.Ambedker

Post by ck_c »

unfortunately it is much easier for people to believe in many limbed god to save them.
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Dan74
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Re: 22 Vows administered by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar & Dr.Ambedker

Post by Dan74 »

From the vows it appears that it's more about identity (ie being different to Hindus than it is about the Dhamma.

Forgive me if I am misunderstanding - I am just a poorly informed observer - but why is it necessary to include all this anti-Hindu stuff? Surely this will just sow more division. The people taking the Vows will live in the predominantly Hindu society, why not instead foster tolerance and respect for each other, instead of opposition and superiority?
_/|\_
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tiltbillings
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Re: 22 Vows administered by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar & Dr.Ambedker

Post by tiltbillings »

Dan74 wrote:From the vows it appears that it's more about identity (ie being different to Hindus than it is about the Dhamma.

Forgive me if I am misunderstanding - I am just a poorly informed observer - but why is it necessary to include all this anti-Hindu stuff? Surely this will just sow more division. The people taking the Vows will live in the predominantly Hindu society, why not instead foster tolerance and respect for each other, instead of opposition and superiority?
Context is everything here.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
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Re: 22 Vows administered by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar & Dr.Ambedker

Post by Sanghamitta »

The Dalits do not need any effort to be made to feel different to Hindus...these are the former Untouchables, and only the name has changed for reasons of political correctness.
They are still literally untouchable. Caste Hindus will not even look at them...they are scorned and kept from all positions of influence and many live in situations of the utmost poverty simply because of their being born outside even the lowest castes. It is evil and Ambedkar was right to make a stand and right to attempt to make a system which defines his people in a new way, rather than by caste. To talk of fostering mutual respect in the face of the caste system is naive.
The going for refuge is the door of entrance to the teachings of the Buddha.

Bhikku Bodhi.
rahulborde
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Re: 22 Vows administered by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar & Dr.Ambedker

Post by rahulborde »

Dan74 wrote:From the vows it appears that it's more about identity (ie being different to Hindus than it is about the Dhamma.

Forgive me if I am misunderstanding - I am just a poorly informed observer - but why is it necessary to include all this anti-Hindu stuff? Surely this will just sow more division. The people taking the Vows will live in the predominantly Hindu society, why not instead foster tolerance and respect for each other, instead of opposition and superiority?
Thanks for the honest opinion,

It is quite natural feeling that you had at first sight.


Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar knew that his followers are fully involved in rituals and wrong practices of
Hinduism for thousands of years. In order to help people to come out of shackles Hinduism he prescribed
22 vows to his followers during the historic religious conversion to Buddhism on 14 October 1956 at
Diksha Bhoomi, Nagpur in India. The conversion to Buddhism by 500,000 people was historic because
it was the largest religious conversion, the world has ever witnessed. He prescribed these oaths so that
there may be complete severance of bond with Hinduism. These 22 vows struck a blow at the roots of
Hindu beliefs and practices. These vows could serve as a bulwark to protect Buddhism from confusion
and contradictions. These vows could liberate converts from superstitions, wasteful and meaningless
rituals, which have led to pauperization of masses and enrichment of upper castes of Hindus. Observing
22 vows is a must for Indian Buddhist.


Buddha Dhamma was a good answer to Vedic religion of Buddha's time,
The same way Dr.Ambedkar tried to give to so called Hindu Religion.(Hindu world not present in a single of its many bibles eg Vedas,Ramayana,mahabharta,puranas,manusmritis)

Today people from the three varnas Khatriya,vaishya,shudra are the people who are actual buddhists.
Only they forgot their real identities and some became muslims and Christs to escape from brutal laws of the religion(like Manusmruti).

The points which mentioned in each vows was the tactic made by Brahmins to make slave the majority of people(see Manusmriti) .and the same was responsible for the downfall of Buddhism (Revolution and Counter Revolution by Dr.Ambedkar)

There is reason behind each vow.

eg. 1. I shall not consider Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh as God nor shall I worship them.

These are creator ,operator,and destroyer of universe.

The Buddha denied the same in his basic teachings.


4. I don’t have faith incarnation of God.
5. I believe that, Buddha is incarnation of Vishnu, is a false and malicious propaganda.

This was the effort made by Brahmic literature to make people forgot buddha and his teachings.
So that they will think Buddha and Vishnu are same and misunderstand that Buddha is one of the many reincarnations of Hindu(Vedic) gods.


6. I shall not perform shraddha, nor shall I give pind-dan.

Shraddha is performed for dead person assuming that he appear in the ritual, and Brahmin is benifited and poor has to suffer by the cost.

8. I will not perform any rituals to be performed by Brahmins.

As per the all religious books(Vedic or sanatana or hindu) only brahmin can perform rituals he is the middle man between God and people,also for the ritual people have to pay money(Dakshina)
Matrix49451
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Re: 22 Vows administered by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar & Dr.Ambedker

Post by Matrix49451 »

I believe that the following is the correct text of "The famous 22 vows":

The famous 22 vows are:

1. I shall not consider Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh as God nor shall I worship them.

2. I shall not consider Ram and Krishna as God nor shall I worship them.

3. I shall not believe in Gouri-Ganesh and other Gods and goddesses of Hindu Religion nor shall I worship them.

4. I don’t have faith incarnation of God.

5. I believe that, Buddha is incarnation of Vishnu, is a false and malicious propaganda.

6. I shall not perform shraddha, nor shall I give pind-dan.

7. I shall not practice anything which is against and different from Buddha’s Dhamma.

8. I will not perform any rituals to be performed by Brahmins.

9. I believe that all human beings are equal.

10. I shall make efforts to establish equality.

11. I shall follow the Eightfold path as told by the Buddha.

12. I shall practice ten Paramitas as told by the Buddha.

13. I shall have compassion and living kindness for all living beings and protect them.

14. I shall not steal.

15. I shall not tell lies.

16. I shall not commit any sexual misconduct.

17. I shall not consume liquor/intoxicants.

18. I shall lead a life based on Buddhist Principle of wisdom, Precepts, and compassion.

19. I denounce Hindu religion which is Harmful for my development as a human being and which has treated human being unequal lowly and I accept Buddha’s Dhamma.

20. I am convinced that Buddha’s Dhamma is Saddhamma.

21. I believe that I am taking new birth.

22. I commit that henceforth I shall act as per Buddha’s principles and teachings.

Thank you all
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Skeptic
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Re: 22 Vows administered by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar & Dr.Ambedker

Post by Skeptic »

Ambedkar and his followers were the most successful in converting people to Buddhism in some non-Buddhist country. Before Ambedkar there were almost no Buddhists in Maharashtra and now their growing number is over 7 millions. Also, majority of Indian Goenka's followers are in the state of Maharashtra.
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