Conversion to escape discrimination.

[Snoopy]

…Hindus from the former Untouchable castes are converting to Buddhism in protest at the continuing discrimination they face.
Conversion is a highly charged political issue. Several states have passed laws this year making it harder to convert, and the mass ceremonies will infuriate Hindu nationalist parties that have been campaigning to stop lower caste Hindus changing their religion.
But for many Dalits, as Untouchables are now known, conversion is the only way to escape the oppression they still face in Hindu society.
Gujarat, home to some of the most hardline Hindu groups, has introduced a more controversial law under which Buddhism is considered part of Hinduism.

India's Untouchables turn to Buddhism in protest at discrimination by Hindus - Independent Online Edition > Asia

Here’s an inflammatory mixture of religion, politics, society and freedom. I wonder to what extent the conversions are primarily a matter of escaping discrimination and the choice of religion (Buddhism and Christianity according to the article) is maybe secondary?
s.

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

…Hindus from the former Untouchable castes are converting to Buddhism in protest at the continuing discrimination they face.
Conversion is a highly charged political issue. Several states have passed laws this year making it harder to convert, and the mass ceremonies will infuriate Hindu nationalist parties that have been campaigning to stop lower caste Hindus changing their religion.
But for many Dalits, as Untouchables are now known, conversion is the only way to escape the oppression they still face in Hindu society.
Gujarat, home to some of the most hardline Hindu groups, has introduced a more controversial law under which Buddhism is considered part of Hinduism.

India's Untouchables turn to Buddhism in protest at discrimination by Hindus - Independent Online Edition > Asia

Here’s an inflammatory mixture of religion, politics, society and freedom. I wonder to what extent the conversions are primarily a matter of escaping discrimination and the choice of religion (Buddhism and Christianity according to the article) is maybe secondary?
s.

It seems that many Untouchables who convert to Christianity receive even more persecution because of their conversion. -source-

[Snoopy]

Oh dear. Out of the frying pan...

s.

[InLove]

Y'all aren't going to start talking about fish again, are you? Lemons, anyone? I was just studying up on the different varieties of nationalism....

InPeace,
InLove

[Snoopy]

Don't start carping.

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by InLove

Y'all aren't going to start talking about fish again, are you? Lemons, anyone? I was just studying up on the different varieties of nationalism....

InPeace,
InLove

Timely topic. *nods*

[Prober]

Guess you're discussing just for the halibut.

Snoopy, your thread is floundering.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Prober

Snoopy, your thread is floundering.

I know.

I think I plaiced it in the wrong forum.

s.

[InLove]

It does have a certain amount of sole, though.

[Prober]

I imagine Christianity had a lot of that in the beginning.

I mean - everyone was equal in G-d's sight - slaves, women - quite an attactive thing.

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by Prober

Guess you're discussing just for the halibut.

Snoopy, your thread is floundering.

Much like the Dalits? Are you suggesting that they just make lemonade since the caste system has condemned them to a lifetime supply of lemons?

[juantoo3]

Sounds to me like some in India are outta tuna with reality.

[juantoo3]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

Much like the Dalits? Are you suggesting that they just make lemonade since the caste system has condemned them to a lifetime supply of lemons?

Seems to me, by the articles, that lemons were not what the Dalits were getting a lifetime supply of...

excrete! excrete!

[Francis king]

buddha does not mind stinky poo-loving dog eaters! To buddha, u are as pure as the freshly flowering lotus! Ur upper caste superiors are not as fortunate!

and about time too, Dalits! candala of the world unite!

bit much though them having to seek official permission before they change their religion...? I would have assumed that it was up to them what they believed...? Does anyone know how u go about converting in India?


and, btw, great thread... salute!

[Snoopy]

Hi,

Just found a magazine article on the history of this.

It seems the movement’s iconic leader is Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar who lead the first mass conversion in 1956.

He was born a dalit but won scholarships to Columbia University and became the first dalit to gain a PhD at the LSE. Although Ambedkar was born a Hindu he rejected it for its supernatural belief in deities and the condoning of inequality through the caste system. He researched other religions, choosing Buddhism for its values of liberty, equality and fraternity and for not sanctifying poverty. He developed a Buddhism that he saw appropriate to other dalits, on the basis that he saw the Buddha being a social reformer, and by focusing on the morality aspect of the eightfold path. He was therefore a driver of engaged Buddhism before the term was coined.

Ambedkar died not long after the first mass conversion but it seems he started a rebirth (!) in the land in which the Buddha was born. Inspiring stuff.

s.