Dhammachakra Pravartan Din

 

Dhama Chakra Pravartana means writhing in motion the wheel  of Dhama the first religious discourse of sermon delivered by Mahatma Buddha after attaining the enlightment

Why is the Dhamachakra important?

 

The Wheel of the Law (Dhamachakra) is the single most important symbol of Buddhism, denoting the Buddha's First Sermon in the forest at Sarnath, where he set Buddhist Law (Dhama) in motion.

 

On October 14, 1956, India’s first law minister and the architect of the Indian constitution, Dr.Bhimrao Ambedkar, along with over 3 lakhs of his followers, embraced Buddhism after renouncing Hinduism. The day it happened is called Dhammachakra Pravartan Din. Even though the conversion took place on October 14, Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, which marks the event, is celebrated on Ashoka Vijayadashami (Dussehra) every year.

Every year on Ashoka Vijayadashami, millions of Buddhists gather at Deekshabhoomi to celebrate the mass conversion.

 

Dr.Ambedkar publicly converted to Buddhism in 1956 over 20 years after he declared his intent to convert. In the meantime, he studied other prominent religions and scrutinized them well.

 In one of his speeches, he had said: “Though I was born a Hindu untouchable, I shall not die as a Hindu.”

Unfortunately, Dr.Ambedkar died almost two months after his public conversion on December 6, 1956. Yet the path he chose transformed the Dalit community.

 

In Hindu religion there is inequality on the basis of caste and gender. Buddha was the greatest opponent of ‘chaturvarna’ (parent of the caste system). He not only preached and fought against it, but did everything to uproot it. Buddha said: “However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act upon them?” Thus, for Buddha, it was always about morality, not rituals.

On the day of his conversion, Ambedkar said: “… religion is for man and not man for religion. For getting human treatment, convert yourselves. Convert to getting organized. Convert to becoming strong. Convert for securing equality. Convert to getting liberty.” Ambedkar’s primary reason for converting to Buddhism was its values that run contrary to Hinduism: rationality, morality and justice. Buddhism helped Ambedkar realize his requirements: