安貝卡博士=Dr. Ambedkar; 達摩波羅=Anagarika Dharmapala; 廢除種姓=Abolition of caste; 印度佛教=New Buddhist movements; 賤民=Dalit; 印度教=Hinduism
摘要
This thesis discusses related to Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956) and Modern Indian Buddhist Social Movements. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, Indian Buddhism was revived. Anagarika Dharmapala (1864-1933) was a Sri Lankan who came to India and founded the Maha Bodhi Society to revitalize Buddhism in India. In his time, the Buddha statue became the icon of Hinduism, and Buddhists were not allowed to worship it. As a result, Anagarika Dharmapala launched a protest movement. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was a visionary leader, social reformer, and defender of the rights of untouchable groups in India. This thesis explores Dr. Ambedkar's major contribution to the modern Indian Buddhist social movements. It explores at how his ideals affected social justice and equality as well as how he revived Buddhism in India. Dr. Ambedkar's endure from growing up as an “Untouchable” to drafting the Indian Constitution influenced the scholar's perspective on discrimination and social injustice. He adopted Buddhism in 1956 after becoming frustrated with the rooted caste system, leading to a historic conversion movement that remains evident today. It discusses the appeal for the abolition of caste, emphasizing the necessity of destroying the social hierarchy that supported discrimination. Buddhism was seen by Dr. Ambedkar as a liberating force that could oppose suppressive ideals and provide everyone dignity and equality life. The thesis also discusses contemporary relevance of Dr. Ambedkar's ideas and their impact on the modern Indian Buddhist social movement. In various aspects of Indian society, it examines how his teachings continue to encourage grassroots activism, the development of social organizations, and the pursuit of social justice. The contributions of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar to the contemporary Indian Buddhist social movements have had a significant and lasting influence. His ideas, support for social equality, and focus on education have sparked a revolutionary movement that questions the present status and works to create a society that is more inclusive and fair. By studying his legacy, we may learn more about the continuing fight for social liberation and the enduring applicability of his concepts in modern-day India.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................. I 摘要........................................................................ III ABSTRACT ..................................................................... V CONTENTS .................................................................. VIII LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................. X I. INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 1 A. RESEARCH MOTIVATION AND PURPOSE ........................................... 1 B. METHODOLOGY ............................................................... 3 C. LITERATURE REVIEW.......................................................... 4 D. STRUCTURE OF THESIS. ...................................................... 6 II. DR. AMBEDKAR’S EARLY LIFE AND ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENT .................... 9 A. EARLY LIFE ................................................................ 9 B. ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENT ...................................................10 C. UNEQUAL TREATMENT IN SCHOOL ...............................................11 D. SUMMARY ...................................................................15 III. THE CASTE SYSTEM OF INDIA ...............................................17 A. THE ORIGIN OF INDIA CASTE SYSTEM ..........................................18 B. PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE CASTE SYSTEM .......................................19 C. SUMMARY ...................................................................23 IV. DR. AMBEDKAR EFFORTS FOR DALIT EQUALITY ..................................25 A. JOURNALISM WAY TO EMANCIPATION ............................................25 B. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS WAY TO EMANCIPATION ......................................29 C. SUMMARY ...................................................................34 V. CONVERSION TO BUDDHISM ....................................................35 A. INTRODUCTION OF BUDDHA AND CRITICISM OF THE CASTE SYSTEM FROM BUDDHA ......36 B. DR AMBEDKAR CONVERSION TO BUDDHISM ........................................44 C. SUMMARY ...................................................................53 VI. CONCLUSION ...............................................................55 BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................57
List of Figures Figure 1 Above: the MOOK NAYAK Newspaper (https://www.roundtableindia.co.in/from-the-pages-of-mook-nayak/) 1923. ...............................................................28 Figure 2. Bahishkrit Bharat Newspaper (https://www.quora.com/Who-startedthe- Marathi-fortnightly-newspaper-Bahishkrit- Bharat.1927. ...............................................................29
