Babasaheb Ambedkar and Vasubandhu – Philosophizing For Unity of Buddhism - Velivada

‘The Buddha and His Dhamma’ book written by Babasaheb Ambedkar is full of references from various Buddhist texts. The study of texts from different schools of Buddhism to cull out what can be essential for a modern Buddhists is a daunting task. That we find references of Dashabhumika( pp.76-77) in the Buddha and His Dhamma indicates the broader interest of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Vasubandhu is considered as the most popular and deep philosopher after the Sakyamuni Buddha. His fundamental books on Abhidharma are considered to be important books on Buddhist philosophy. He sought the unity of the Buddhist schools through his philosophising rooted in the deep practice of Buddha Dhamma.

In the Buddha and His Dhamma, Vasubandhu is not mentioned, but his brother Asanga is mentioned in the discussion on Sunya Vad. However, we find mention of Vasubandhu in the Revolution and Counter-Revolution in ancient India where Babasaheb proves that the Gita is written much later as it has reference to Vasubandhu’s texts.

Reading this section of the Buddha and His Dhamma, it is clear that Babasaheb Ambedkar has studied the great Vasubandhu, and the text cited by Babasaheb Ambedkar is not an ordinary text: it is the basis of Avatamska School known as Huayen School in China.

Author – Mangesh Dahiwale, Human Rights Activist