• How some are trying to hijack Buddhism in India. Comparison of such moves with Akali Dal approach? Q&A includes why Hindus are nominated to Bodh G Temple Mgmt Committee, Buddhist connect between Ambedkarites and Ladakhis, Lord Indra and Buddhism, why did British find fault with Caste, did only respected Dr Ambedkar write the Constitution?

Here are some observations on activities of some, may be Buddhists. The purpose of this article is to provoke thought and not intended to hurt the sentiments of any community or malign any person, living or dead. For many reasons I am a fan of Dr Ambedkar (BRA).

First, some recent developments followed by Q&A.

1. Plea in Supreme Court (SC) to handover exclusive management right of Bodh Gaya Mandir to Buddhists.

According to this June 2025 Hindustan Times report, SC turned down a plea by “Filed by lawyer and former Maharashtra minister Sulekha Narayan Kumbhare, challenged the constitutional validity of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949, which entrusted a nine-member committee with the temple’s management, of which a majority are Hindus.” Note there are 4 Hindus, 4 Buddhists on the Committee with the District Magistrate of Gaya serving as the ex-officio Chairman.

2. Next, “The SC agreed to examine a plea for repealing the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949 and replacing it with a central law for the proper control, management and administration of Mahabodhi temple in Bihar,” according to this 4/8/25 report in The New Indian Express. Also read TOI  Is new Legislation within the purview of the Supreme Court?

An attempt to replace the existing 1949 Act with a new central law is an indirect way of repealing the 1949 Act.

3. Next personal law. According to this 28/11/25 report in Rediff.com, “The SC asked the Law Commission to consider a plea as a representation of a Buddhist group that certain sets of personal Hindu laws, which are applicable to Buddhists also, are against their fundamental rights, including freedom to practice religion.”

Buddha was born and died a Hindu. Are Ambedkarites Buddhist?

4. After the unfortunate shoe throwing incident (6/10/25) on former Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, there is a surge in anti-Hindu postings on X (Twitter).

Handles, do not know if within or outside India or even they are Buddhists, are promoting caste hatred and statements against Hindus. Some handles trying to forge unity with Ladaki Buddhists, post the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk. It is my belief that social media handles are indicative of thinking.

Actions of such people could have tacit support from countries hostile to India OR could be moves to pressurise India to review its support to Tibetan Buddhists.   

While I will share a perspective on each issue below, it is only in India that Hinduism and Buddhism are seen as different religions. In Buddhist countries, the strains have intertwined. Read  Harmonious blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Shinto strains in Japan

Author Divyaroop Bhatnagar wrote, “In Cambodia we also visited a Buddhist temple on a hill that had statutes of Shiva and Ganesh as well. A Buddhist priest was pouring water over a Shiv Linga and the people were taking the water and pouring it on their heads before worshiping at the Buddhist temple.”

Lord Indra Temple in Sukumwit Street, Bangkok, Thailand. 2009 

Nandi outside the Cambodia National Museum. 2024

Garuda, Mural, Ananda Ok Temple, Bagan, Myanmar Pic by Benoy K Behl.

Havan or Homa, or Goma in Japan, Takahata Fudo Temple, Tokyo. Pic by Benoy K Behl.

Churning of the Ocean - Samudra Manthan at Bangkok Airport.  

On reflection, above actions remind me of the Jaat Sikh approach before and after 1947. Here it is in brief –

1. 1905: Idols removed from Hari Mandir, known as Golden Temple.  Buddhists want a Sivalingam removed from the Bodh Gaya temple.

2.  1925: Sikh Gurudwaras Act passed. Since then, Akalis control Gurdwaras in Punjab. Similarly, Buddhists want full control over management (read as no Hindus) of Bodh Gaya temple.  The Act’s definition of a Sikh is exclusivist. 

3. One of the causes of the Khalistan problem is a Sikh belief that their faith has nothing to do with Hinduism similar to what the Neo Buddhists espouse. Swami Vivekananda’s 1893 Chicago Address Buddhism is the fulfilment of Hinduism

4. An organization that was made to manage Gurdwaras in Punjab, SGPC, is trying to become an equivalent of a Sikh Vatican by becoming a spokesperson of Sikhs worldwide. A similar approach may be in mind for Bodh Gaya.

5. Published in 1898, the book Hum Hindu Nahin Hai was a vitriolic appraisal of Hinduism, focusing on why Sikhs were not Hindus. One of the 22 vows that an individual takes to become an Ambedkarite reads, “I shall have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh nor shall I worship them.” The Sikhs and Neo-Buddhists believe that Hinduism is the Puranas!

Another of the 22 vow states, “I shall have no faith in Rama and Krishna who are believed to be incarnations of God nor shall I worship them.” They only need to visit Thailand, Sri Lanka where Ramayana is performed.

Sivalingam inside Bodh Gaya Temple sanctum. 2012.

Now answers to some specific questions.

1. How did Hindus get involved in management of Bodh Gaya Temple?

In 2012 Senior Journalist Sandhya Jain wrote, “Asoka erected a stupa, which was reconstructed as the Mahabodhi Mahavihara by Gupta kings in the 7th century AD.” ASI says Asoka set up the diamond throne representing seat of enlightenment in 3^rd century B.C. & present temple made in 6^th century. (pic 8)

Sandhya wrote, “In the 13th century, the Mahavihara was sacked by the Turks; Bhikshus massacred or scattered, and site abandoned. Around 1590, an itinerant Saivite sanyasi, Mahant Ghamandi Giri, arrived at Bodhgaya and took charge of the Mahavihara. The Mahant is 16th in the line of succession of Mahants who rescued the Mahavihara and kept the name of Buddha alive in the dark centuries when no priestly or lay community survived to perform the prayers and rituals.”

“Well, the Gupta rulers who built the great Mahavihara were denominationally Hindu, and the sacred site was in the safe custody of Saivite sanyasis for centuries, until the British instilled the poison of separatism into Buddhist hearts worldwide.” Just like Hindu Kings built Sanchi Stupa. Read  Who built Sanchi Stupa

“After independence, the Bihar Legislative Assembly passed the Bodhgaya Temple Act (Bihar XVII of 1949), which created the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee, to take care of the temple and pilgrims, and ensure proper worship. The Committee comprised a Chairman and eight members nominated by the State Government, all of whom had to be Indians. Since 1953, the management committee has comprised five Hindus including the District Collector who is chairman, provided he is a Hindu, and four Buddhists.”

2. What is the origin of the 4 Noble Truths espoused by Buddha?

Former President Scholar Dr S. Radhakrishnan wrote in Indian Philosophy Volume 1, “The 4 noble truths of Buddhism correspond to the 4 truths of Samkhya as put in the Samkhyapravacanabhasya.” (399)

Indic Scholar Sri Prabhav Paturi wrote in Concept of Atheism in Samkhya and Buddhist Philosophy that, “The profound four-fold framework that Sage Kapila had already crystallized in the Samkhyapravacanabhasya – from the recognition of suffering, to the path of liberation, through the subtle understanding of prakrti and purusha, to the supreme discriminating wisdom – would later find a simplified reflection in Buddhist teachings.” Read  The Eightfold Path here and Samkhya and Buddhism

3. Is there a Buddhist connect between Ambedkarites and Ladakhis?

Ladakhi Buddhist follow Tibetan Buddhism which includes pre-Buddhist Bon traditions and Tantric practices. Read  Vajrayana Buddhism core tenets based on SAIVA SAKTA Philosophy

In Ladakh Monastery. L to R Manjushree (deity of wisdom), Avalokiteshwara (Compassion) and Vajrapana (represents wrathful deities).

Does Ambedkarism have any connect with Tibetan Bon tradition and Tantra?

4. Lord Indra and Buddhism

Lord Indra considered a Hindu God in India but worshipped by Buddhists of Thailand. Read Lord Indra in Buddhism Indra’s weapon, the vajra (thunderbolt), is the principal symbol of Tibetan Buddhism.

5. Was Ambedkar’s Buddhism different from Buddha’s?

Author Dhananjay Keer wrote, “The Maha Bodhi, a famous Buddhist journal in India opined that in The Buddha and His Dhamma, BRA’s interpretation of the theory of Karma, Ahimsa & that Buddhism was merely a social system, constituted not the correct interpretation of Buddhism but a new orientation.” Ambedkar’s Buddhism, added the reviewer, is based on hatred, the Buddha’s was on compassion. 6 Pg 521

“That is why Buddhist critics say that the Dhamma preached by BRA is not Buddhism but Ambedkarism.” 6 Pg 523 Read  Are Ambedarites Buddhist is the question that the Courts and People should ask.

Is worshipping Buddha image enough? Or should one adhere to his teachings?

6. Under Indian laws, are Buddhist Hindus?

Article 25 of the Constitution includes Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs within the definition of 'Hindu'. Thus, under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 Hindus includes Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains. Ditto under the Income-Tax Act. Read  Tax Laws should be same for all citizens

However, Buddhist were declared a Minority around 1992 or 1993. They avail of benefits of government schemes meant for minorities. By virtue of now being a minority lending to Buddhist comes under Priority Sector Lending (RBI circular) for banks. Usually loans that come under PSL attract lower interest rates.

Further, Scheduled Castes who become Buddhist continue to avail benefit of reservations. This is similar to Scheduled Tribes who convert to Islam and Christianity (sure about Northeast) who are still treated as ST.  

7. Ambedkarites are called Neo Buddhists. Who are they in short?

A Professor of Buddhist Philosophy in Maharasthra says, “Neo-Buddhists are those who converted to Buddhism under the leadership of Dr Ambedkar (BRA). They are Buddhists, but with a clear focus on social justice. They take vows which BRA wrote, renouncing Hindu Gods and rituals, dedicating themselves to the Buddhist path instead.”  

BRA did not adopt Hinayana or Mahayana Buddhism but founded Navayana.  For BRA, it was social reform and political mobilization. That is why Buddhist critics say that the Dhamma preached by BRA is not Buddhism but Ambedkarism. 6 Pg 523  

Ambedkarism is a socio-political movement!

8. Do Ambedkarites believe in Law of Karma i.e. common to all Indic faiths?

No. British Council Scholar, Author, Spiritualist, Historian Dr Satish Kapoor wrote in Introduction to Buddhism  in Prabuddha Bharata, “The doctrine of karma is an essential part of the gospel of Buddha. A popular verse often ascribed to Buddha says: Na pranasyanti karmani kalpa-koti-satairapi; Samagrim prapya kalam ca phalanti khalu dehinam. Karmas do not perish even after the lapse of a million years. They fructify without fail when time and environment are suitable.” To read in detail  Are Ambedkarites Buddhist

Belief in Law of Karma is intrinsic to Indic faiths!

9. Is it true that Scheduled Castes were denied education by other Hindus?

Gandhian Dharampalji went through British and Indian archives to reproduce reports, of surveys undertaken by the British in Bengal, Punjab and Madras Presidency (1800-1830), in his book The Beautiful Tree: Indigenous Indian Education in the 18th century. The book says maximum number of scholars in schools were SC. British moves resulted in a deterioration in the status & personal dignity of those who are known as SC now. Read Dalits were the maximum number of scholars in Pre-British India

One must differentiate between denial of education and denial of entry into temples. I believe that temples should be open to all Indics.

10. Then, why did the British find fault with Caste?

“For the British caste was a great obstacle, in fact, an unmitigated evil not because the British believed in casteless-ness or subscribed to a non-hierarchical system but because it stood in the way of their breaking Indian society, hindered the process of atomisation, and made the task of conquest and governance more difficult.” Read  Caste made into evil 

A similar strategy is followed leftists and Neo Buddhists. Some learned made international careers out of the Spanish word caste, not that I deny its existence. Read  Benefits of the Caste System

11. Why did Ambedkar become Buddhist and not Muslim/Christian?

BRA told Gandhi once, “‘I will choose only the least harmful way for the country. And that is the greatest benefit I am conferring on the country by embracing Buddhism, for Buddhism is a part & parcel of Bharatiya culture. I have taken care that my conversion will not harm the tradition of the culture & history of this land.’ 6 Pg. 498

Ambedkar did explore possibility of becoming Sikh. But, that would mean his Marathi speaking followers had to learn Punjabi and sport a turban. Moreover, Jaat Sikhs who were/are controlling the Gurdwaras of Punjab, through SGPC, would never give control to the Ambedkarites.

12. Did only respected Dr Ambedkar write the Constitution?

Sir B N Rau prepared the first draft of the Constitution in October 1947. The Constitution Drafting Committee consisted of seven eminent Indians, of which BRA was the Chairman.

In his book The Colonial Constitution Dr Arghya Sengupta, Research Director at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy wrote, “A significant portion of the Government of Act 1935 made it, unchanged, to the final version of the Constitution adopted by the Assembly in November 1948. The cognitive dissonance was astounding.” 7 Pg. 27 BRA was honest enough to admit that the Drafting Committee had borrowed from the GOI Act 1935/other world constitutions. Read  Who Drafted and How Indian is the Indian Constitution

Dr Ambedkar was a great man no doubt. Politicians need to think whether it is appropriate to put him on such a high pedestal or is it vote-bank politics?

Read, reflect and decide. As always, am happy to stand corrected. Love.

References and Also read

1. The Bodh Gaya Temple Controversy

2. Harmonious blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Shinto strains in Japan

3. What happened during the Khalistani Movement

4. 22 vows taken by Ambedkarites

5. Ramayana in Thailand

6. Dr. Ambedkar Life and Mission’ by Dhananjay Keer.

7. The Colonial Constitution by Dr A Sengupta

8. Are Ambedkarites BUDDHIST   

9. Who are Neo Buddhists

10. Why liberation of Bodh Gaya and Kashi Vishwanath Temples are different

11. Benefits of the Caste System

12. Vajrayana Buddhism core tenets based on SAIVA SAKTA Philosophy

13. Tibetan Buddhism in Ladakh – good and comprehensive read. 

14. Theravada Buddhism as an Iteration of Classical Hindu Ascetic Praxis