Dr. Ambedkar and the Modern Buddhist World

THE OCTOBER 2006 NAGPUR CONFERENCE

29 September to 4 October 2006 – Buddhist Year 2550

 Nagaloka, Nagpur , Maharashtra , India .

To mark the 2550 th year of the Enlightenment of the Buddha and to celebrate the 50 th year of Dr. Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism, we invite you to join us in a series of events at Nagaloka in Nagpur . And to participate in the contemplation of the road ahead with Buddhist leaders from India and abroad.

29  September – 1 October 2006   International ConferenceCeremony to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar’s conversion

2 October – 4 October 2006         NetworkConference / Workshops   A Network of Buddhist Activists

Program Information

International Conference

Dr. Ambedkar and developments in the Modern Buddhist World
29  September – 1 October 2006

1. To look at the relevance of Dr. Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism, to people other than the Scheduled Castes in India , and to Buddhists throughout the modern world.
2. To look at other radical approaches to the Dhamma in recent times.

The conversion to Buddhism of Dr. Ambedkar and his followers, in 1956, exactly 50 years ago, marks the revival of Buddhism in India . The number of those who now consider themselves Buddhists is anywhere between 20 and 30 million. Coming from the most socially deprived sections of society and inspired by Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of social change based on individual practice, the impact on their lives has been tremendous, though not wholly unanticipated. However, the significance and impact of this movement on Indian society, and in the Buddhist world at large, still remains to be assessed in a deep and comprehensive manner. It thus becomes necessary to view this movement in the context of the various developments in Buddhism in the modern world, and in the light of other approaches such as those listed below:

i.The relevance of Dr. Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism to modern India (including to the wider Indian Buddhist movement).

ii.Humanistic Buddhism in China and Developments in Eastern Buddhism

iii. Buddhadasa and Dhammic Socialism, as well as the Socially Engaged Buddhist movement.

iv.Developments in Western Buddhism.

There will be three papers summarised in each of the four groups, mentioned above. The papers will be prepared before hand and made available to participants.

The papers will be presented by scholars, teachers, activists, from various countries including India , Taiwan , Thailand , Japan , Korea , UK and the US .

After each set of presentations, participants will split up for small group discussions.

NetworkConference / Workshops

A Network of Buddhist Activists 2 October – 4 October2006

To initiate an interaction and dialogue between Buddhist activists from Ambedkarite and disadvantaged backgrounds from different parts of India , as well as other Buddhists, who would like to work with them.

 The topics for presentation and discussions would include:

1. A survey of socially disadvantaged people in different parts of India who have become Buddhist or want to know more about Buddhism;
2. How people are dealing with social difficulties that impact on Buddhist practice and the Buddhist community (caste, hierarchy, factionalism, economic difficulties, relations with non-Dalit Buddhists, Dalit identity).
3. How people learn the Dhamma:

i.    Dr. Ambedkar’s writings

ii.   Teachers of the Dhamma (Ambedkarite community, other Indians, foreign Buddhists)

iii.  Passing on the Dhamma and its values to the next generation.

This event is open not only to Buddhist activists from the Ambedkarite and disadvantaged communities, but to all Buddhists in India who are interested in working in this situation, as well as to Buddhists abroad, who have more than an academic interest in the situation.

Schedule Outline

Fri 29 Sep       Arrive by 6.00 pm for conference on “Dr. Ambedkar

                    and developments in the Modern Buddhist World”

Sat 30 Sep     Dr. Ambedkar and developments in the Modern Buddhist  World

Sun 1 Oct       Dr. Ambedkar and developments in the Modern Buddhist World

Cultural programme in the evening.

Mon 2 Oct      Ashok Vijaya Dashmi (50 th Anniversary of Conversion)

10.30 am - Annual Nagaloka programme.

Afternoon inaugural session of A Gathering of Buddhist   Activists - The Next Step

Evening - visit Diksha Bhumi for 50 th anniversary of conversion.

Tue 3  Oct     A Gathering of Buddhist Activists - The Next Step

Evening – cultural programme.

Wed 4  Oct    A Gathering of Buddhist Activists - The Next Step

Conclude by 5.00 pm

Registration Details

Registration form : Please fill up the form below and send it by email to Dhammachari Lokamitra  (lokamitra@jambudvipa.org)  or  Priyadarshi (priyadarshi@jambudvipa.org)

Registration deadline : 31 July, 2006

Registration fee :  There are a lot of expenses for the conference, including bringing over some participants and guests from south-east Asia who cannot afford the fares. There is no local funding available as the hosts use all they can for social and Dhamma work among the Dalit and Buddhist communities.  We would like to encourage participants to contribute as much as they can. However, any difficulty in making this contribution should not stop you from attending. Please get in touch with us and we will try to arrange grants to cover your costs.

Accommodation and Travel: Travel from home base to Nagpur Airport or Railway  Station and back to home base from Nagpur will be arranged and paid for by the participants. Accommodation will be in guest rooms and hostel rooms at the venue, namely the Nagarjuna Training Institute at Nagaloka, Nagpur . In the event that the number of participants is more than the rooms available, dormitory and tent accommodation will also be arranged.

Suggested contributions:

Foreign guests and participants:  $10 to $15 per day.

Indian participants and guests: Rs. 150 to Rs 200 per day.

If you are able to manage a larger donation that would be very helpful.

The Conference welcomes your financial support to underwrite its many programs and projects. Donations from Indian tax payers are exempt under Section 80-G of the Income Tax Act. For more information Call +91-20- 2669 6812 or mail at priyadarshi@jambudvipa.org