Ambedkar Buddha

Dharma, Adhamma and Saddhamma of Ambedkar: An Ethical Approach to the Improvement of Mankind
Dr.Priyadarsini Mitra
Assistant Professor
School of Buddhist Studies & Civilization
Gautam Buddha University

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) was one of the most remarkable personalities of modern times. His wisdom and vision have made a lasting contribution to the social consciousness of humanity. He concentrated his special efforts to uplift the whole mankind by re-interpreting of Buddha’s Dhamma. He classified Dhamma as Dhamma, Adhamma and Saddhamma, in these three categories. Dhamma consists in maintaining purity of life. Belief in supernatural power, animal scarifies and self all these are Adhamma. According to Ambedkar

Nibbana is the most important central teaching of Buddha. There are three ideas which underlie Buddha’s conception of Nibbana. One is the happiness of a sentient being as distinct from the salvation of the soul. The second idea is the happiness of the sentient being in Samsara while he is alive. The third idea is the exercise of control over the flames of the passions which are always on fire. Nibbana can give happiness. The common notion is that man is unhappy because he is in want. But this is not always true. Man is unhappy even though he is in the midst of plenty. Unhappiness is the result of greed, and greed is the bane of life of those who have as well as of those who have not. This the Buddha has made clear that Excited by greed (lobha), furious with anger (dosa), blinded by delusion (moha), with mind overwhelmed, with mind enslaved, men reflect upon their own misfortune, men reflect upon the misfortune of others, men experience mental suffering and anguish and if, greed, anger and delusion are done away, men reflect neither upon their own misfortune nor on mental suffering and anguish. So Nibbana visible in this life and not merely in the future and it is inviting, attractive, and accessible to the wise disciple. The moment he is free from the sway of his passions, i.e., he learns to achieve Nibbana; man's way to happiness is open to him. These passions, according to the Buddha's analysis, fall under

In order to be Saddhamma, however, Dhamma must promote Prajna or insight, and this it does by making learning open to all, by teaching that mere learning is not enough, as it may lead to pedantry, and by teaching that what is needed is Prajna or right thinking. Moreover, Dhamma is Saddhamma only when it teaches that Prajna must be accompanied by Sila or right action, as well as by Karuna or compassion for the poor and helpless and by Maitri or love for all living