Future of Buddhism in India
Buddhism was one of the most important religions in ancient India. But after revival of Vedic religion, it was completely vanished out from this country. Although it was spread in major parts of Asia, including China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asian countries, there were no followers of this great religions in its birth place, India.
But in the middle of 20th century, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar adopted Buddhism with his hundreds of thousands of followers. He had sworn long before that he was born as a Hindu, but will not die as a Hindu. His adoption of Buddhism created an awareness about this religion in masses. Before this, most of the people in India didn't know about Buddhism, even that that there was such a religion.
But it is a sad thing that the spread of Buddhism in India is not satisfactory as it is suffering from many limitations. The notable thing is that about 80% of the people who have adopted Buddhism are from Maharashtra, the home state of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Besides that, most of the Buddhists from Maharashtra belong to a specific Dalit caste.
There are no takers of Buddhism in so called higher castes, as they think that Buddhism is the religion of Dalits. Most of the Vedic operated Hindu minds think that Buddhism is an enemy of Hinduism and the nation. On the other hand, other Dalits too do not want to adopt Buddhism. These things are big barriers in spread of Buddhism in India.
Another sad thing is that some politicians are using this religion for their own interests. Buddhism has become a political religion. It is a dangerous thing and creates bad effects against the spread of Buddhism.
I do not care about what my Buddhist friends will say about my this observation that many Buddhist laymen and monks like to speak against other religions, especially Hinduism. It is another obstacle against spread of Buddhism. We can spread any religion by love, not by hate. Presenting Buddhism as an anti-Hindu religion is an absolute wrong thing. No matter what Hindus think about Buddhism.
In recent days, there is an unrest about Hinduism in many communities in India. Such communities want to leave Hinduism. They show a love for Buddhism, but avoid to adopt it. Instead, they like to form a new religion. Shivadharm and Rohidasiya religion are two examples of such new religions.
Now I think that you can imagine the future of Buddhism in India. But if we could remove the obstacles, the bad future can be changed. Otherwise, we will have to wait for Buddhism coming here from America and Europe.
-Mahavir Sanglikar
20,000 untouchables convert to Buddhism
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