Karnataka - Gulbarga   

15,000 people convert to Buddhism in Gulbarga

Staff Correspondent

Bhante Bodhi Dhamma administers Buddha Deeksha oath

A NEW PATH: People taking an oath during mass conversion of Dalits to Buddhism in Gulbarga city on Saturday.

Gulbarga: Over 15,000 people converted to Buddhism, as part of the golden jubilee celebration of the Dhamma Chakra Parivarthana, in Gulbarga on Saturday.

The conversion rally was led by Bhante Bodhi Dhamma, founder president of the International Buddhist Youth Organisation of Nagpur. Thousands of believers marched in a rally from Jagat Circle through the main streets of the city. The rally culminated in the MSK Mill Grounds.

The ceremony began with a prayer and Bhante Bodhi Dhamma administered the Buddha Deeksha oath. Later, they entered the new world by reciting lines from the holy texts of Buddhism.

Former Union Minister V. Shrinivas Prasad said B.R. Ambedkar described his conversion to Buddhism as a "renunciation from Hinduism". Dr. Ambedkar rejected Hinduism mainly because of its justification of inhuman practices such as untouchability, he said.

He called upon believers to carry forward the commitment of Dr. Ambedkar to Buddhism. "Dr. Ambedkar revived Buddhism that was on the verge of extinction and we should take it to new heights now," he said.

He said the celebrations of Dhamma Chakra Parivarthana were meaningless unless people practiced the philosophy of Lord Buddha and Dr. Ambedkar.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that Buddhism could lead to world peace. Buddhism was a way of life that believed in love, honesty and harmony.

Following the religion would reduce tensions between civilizations, he added. Mr. Kharge recalled that Dr. Ambedkar was a strong nationalist and remained a patriot despite the bad treatment given to him by society. He was a large hearted man and never insulted any other religion.

Though he walked out of Hinduism, he never spread ill will against it, he said. Dr. Ambedkar was concerned about the welfare of Dalits. But he aimed at attaining the emancipation of all communities in the Constitution that he helped frame, Mr. Kharge said.

He asked people to develop self-respect and urged the new converts to lead a life of honesty and follow Dr. Ambedkar's ideals. Buddhist leader Shivram Mogha and others were present.

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