Mahar, Buddhist, and dalit : religious conversion and socio-political emancipation

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Bibliographic Information

Mahar, Buddhist, and dalit : religious conversion and socio-political emancipation

Johannes Beltz

Manohar Publishers & Distributors, 2005

Other Title

Mahar, bouddhiste et dalit

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Note

Originally presented as the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Lausanne, 1999

Includes bibliographical references (p. [265]-301) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Bhimrao Ambedkar, born in a Mahar (untouchable caste) family converted to Buddhism at Nagpur in Maharashtra in 1956. Buddhism was for him the only religion which could solve the problems of social inequality and caste. Thousands of untouchables in the state in support followed his example against their social exclusion. Today almost the majority of the Mahars (more than 5 million) consider themselves Buddhists. The objective of this book is to analyse the discourses, representations, ritual practices and institutions of this community. Two aspects of the conversion are to be distinguished: one, the attempt of the Mahar community to achieve social ascension and emancipation; and the other, a project of reform which addresses the Indian society in its totality. The traditional hierarchical and unequal social Hindu order is opposed by a Buddhist alternative of a society based on equality, justice and progress. Analysing discursive situations and interactions of Buddhists with other social groups, the author argues that Buddhism should be viewed more as an open camp of discursive practices than a fixed system of religious beliefs or dogmas. The paradoxes and the singularity of this type of Buddhism seems to challenge the very category of Buddhism itself.

Table of Contents

  • A Note on the Transliteration
  • List of Abbreviations
  • Introduction
  • B R Ambedkar: Buddhism & Social Reconstruction
  • The Buddhist Movement in Contemporary Maharashtra: Politics, Conflicts & Interactions
  • Buddhism: Discourse of Revolt, Liberation & Emancipation
  • (Re-)inventing Buddhist Rituals
  • Institutionalizing Buddhism: Associations & Organizations
  • Conclusion
  • Bibliography
  • Index.

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