A Review of - 'The Buddha and His Dhamma'

Abstract

This book is different in many ways. In this Dr. Ambedkar isn’t trying to tell us about what buddhism is, rather he’s presenting us what the indian buddhism is and what buddha in reality might have said and not what his discipals claimed what he said (as from which different sects spurted out). Its the book of “Neo-buddhism” which in real sense can able to present the real buddhism or proto buddhism.

This book offers the most significant works on Buddhist writings, Ambedkar's "The Buddha and His Dhamma" originally published posthumously, the original lacked citations, bibliographies, and other scholarly apparatus. The current edition meticulously annotates the text, adding references to Buddhist scriptures and other texts that served as sources for Ambedkar. It also provides explanations of these scriptures, critiques of Ambedkar's interpretations, and highlights modifications he made to his sources.

Within this volume, the focus is on Ambedkar's interpretation of Buddhism, particularly how it offered the potential for the liberation and upliftment of the Dalits. The book delves into Ambedkar's reflections and insights regarding the life of Siddharth Gautama, the Buddha, his teachings, and the historical spread of Buddhism in India. This is achieved through a series of anecdotes and narratives that vividly portray the life of Buddha and the propagation of his Dhamma.

Through this research one would guess, if someone wants to study buddhism then this one is recommended. Please do read the preface or introduction given by ambedkar himself so that you can easily understand the purpose of this whole book which will help you distinguish between the content of this book and the other content which will eventually come in your way as you’ll go through some other books of buddhism written by various authors and that will might throw you down into little bit confusion.