B. R. Ambedkar
​The Buddha and His Dhamma

A Critical Edition


The Buddha and His Dhamma was B. R. Ambedkar's last work. Published posthumously, it presented a radical reorientation of Buddhist thought and literature, aptly called navayana. It deals with Ambedkar's conceptualization of Buddhism and the possibilities it offered for liberation and upliftment of the Dalits. It presents his reflections on the life of the Buddha, his teachings, and the spread of Buddhism by interweaving anecdotes with detailed analyses of the religion's basic tenets. The author also includes important elements of the Buddhist canon and tradition to make the teachings more accessible.
​In the first critical and annotated edition of this work, the editors address the on-going debate on Ambedkar's interpretation of the Buddha's dhamma by focusing on the accuracy of his citations and providing missing sources. They also discuss Ambedkar's modification of source materials. The introduction contextualizes the scholarly work related to the text.
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'Even after 55 years of its publication, no attempt was made either to improve the language or to append the references and citations despite the fact that a large number of scholars for political and social reasons have taken a deep interest in Ambedkar studies. The editors have made stylistic changes, corrected the language to improve the flow, and provided more than 860 citations and references which make the text scholastic. It is a must read for all those who are interested in serious study of Buddhism and Ambedkar.' ​

Ashok Vohra, The Tribune

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Contents

Editors' Preface
B.R. Ambedkar's Preface
Editors' Introduction
B.R. Ambedkar's Introduction and Prologue

1. Siddharth Gautama: How a Bodhisatta became the Buddha
From Birth to Parivraja
Renunciation for Ever
In Search of New Light
Enlightenment and the Vision of a New Way
The Buddha and his Predecessors
The Buddha and his Contemporaries
Comparison and Contrast

2. Campaign of Conversion
Buddha and his Vishad Yoga
The Conversion of the Parivrajakas
Conversion of the High and the Holy
Call from Home
Campaign for Conversion Resumed
Conversion of the Low and the Lowly
Conversion of Women
Conversion of the Fallen and the Criminals

3. What the Buddha Taught
His Place in His Dhamma
Different Views of the Buddha's Dhamma
What is Dhamma
What is Not Dhamma
What is Saddhamma

4. Religion and Dhamma
Religion and Dhamma
How Similarities in Terminology Conceal Fundamental Difference
The Buddhist Way of Life
His Sermons

5. The Sangh
The Sangh
The Bhikkhu: the Buddha's Conception of Him
The Duties of the Bhikkhu
The Bhikkhu and the Laity
Vinaya for the Laity

6. He and his Contemporaries
His Benefactors
His Enemies
Critics of His Doctrines
Friends and Admirers

7. The Wanderer's Last Journey
The Meeting of those Near and Dear
Leaving Vaishali
His End

8. The Man who was Siddhartha Gautama
His Personality
His Humanity
His Likes and Dislikes

Epilogue
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

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