Dr. Ambedkar & Buddhism in India
B.R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism in 1956 with 500,000 Dalits โ largest mass religious conversion in history
Key Facts
- 1
14 October 1956 (Nagpur): Ambedkar and 500,000 followers converted to Buddhism
- 2
Ambedkar chose Buddhism for its equality โ no caste hierarchy, emphasis on reason and social reform
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Today ~8โ10 million Buddhists in India; concentrated in Maharashtra, UP; Dhamma (Buddhist law) taught in schools
๐ Did you know? Ambedkar chose Buddhism specifically because it was born in India, does not recognise caste, and preaches equality โ rejecting Hinduism for its caste discrimination
Quick Reference
Category
Buddhism
Country
๐ฎ๐ณ India
Year / Era
1956
About
B.R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism in 1956 with 500,000 Dalits โ largest mass religious conversion in history