Rohith Vemula's family mirrors a trend: Dalits are rushing to embrace Buddhism

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Rohith Vemula's family mirrors a trend: Dalits are rushing to embrace

http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/rohith-vemulas-family-mirrors-a-trend-dalits-are-rushing-to-embrace-buddhism-2784864/

The conversion of the family of Dalit student Rohith Vemula to Buddhism on
the 125th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar has underscored the way in
which the faithBuddhism
has been used as the moral armament of the Dalit movement in India.
According to data released by the central government last month,
Buddhism is the fastest growing religion among the Scheduled Castes (SCs)
in the country.
University of Hyderabad PhD scholar Rohith committed suicide in
January, allegedly after being targeted by the university, which suspended
him from the hostel and
stopped his scholarship as `punishment' for allegedly clashing with
leaders of the BJP's student wing, the ABVP. His death triggered a
firestorm of protests on campus
which spread across the country, and still continue.
In a statement issued in Mumbai after their conversion, Rohith's
brother Raja Vemula said that Rohith "was extremely keen that our family
should follow the path of
Buddha". Rohith had come to their home in Guntur in November 2015
wearing the white clothes of a follower of The Buddha, and had spoken "a
lot about why Ambedkar had
chosen to convert to Buddhism in 1956", Raja said in the statement.

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"Lord Buddha is an Avatar of Hindu God Lord Vishnu."

These buddhists follow the 22 vows below, consult number 5 to be corrected:

22 Vows of Dr. Ambedkar

Dr.B.R.Ambedkar prescribed 22 vows to his followers during the historic
religious conversion to Buddhism on 15 October 1956 at Deeksha Bhoomi,
Nagpur in India. The
conversion to Buddhism by 800,000 people was historic because it was the
largest religious conversion, the world has ever witnessed. He prescribed
these oaths so that
there may be complete severance of bond with Hinduism. These 22 vows
struck a blow at the roots of Hindu beliefs and practices. These vows could
serve as a bulwark to
protect Buddhism from confusion and contradictions. These vows could
liberate converts from superstitions, wasteful and meaningless rituals,
which have led to
pauperisation of masses and enrichment of upper castes of Hindus.
The famous 22 vows are:
1. I shall have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh nor shall I
worship them.
2. I shall have no faith in Rama and Krishna who are believed to be
incarnation of God nor shall I worship them.
3. I shall have no faith in `Gauri', Ganapati and other gods and
goddesses of Hindus nor shall I worship them.
4. I do not believe in the incarnation of God.
5. I do not and shall not believe that Lord Buddha was the incarnation
of Vishnu. I believe this to be sheer madness and false propaganda.
6. I shall not perform `Shraddha' nor shall I give `pind-dan'.
7. I shall not act in a manner violating the principles and teachings
of the Buddha.
8. I shall not allow any ceremonies to be performed by Brahmins.
9. I shall believe in the equality of man.
10. I shall endeavour to establish equality.
11. I shall follow the `noble eightfold path' of the Buddha.
12. I shall follow the `paramitas' prescribed by the Buddha.
13. I shall have compassion and loving kindness for all living beings
and protect them.
14. I shall not steal.
15. I shall not tell lies.
16. I shall not commit carnal sins.
17. I shall not take intoxicants like liquor, drugs etc.
18. I shall endeavour to follow the noble eightfold path and practise
compassion and loving kindness in every day life.
19. I renounce Hinduism which is harmful for humanity and impedes the
advancement and development of humanity because it is based on inequality,
and adopt Buddhism as my
religion.
20. I firmly believe the Dhamma of the Buddha is the only true religion.
21. I believe that I am having a re-birth.
22. I solemnly declare and affirm that I shall hereafter lead my life
according to the principles and teachings of the Buddha and his Dhamma.