z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 05.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 322
322 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
quillisation of heart, to real knowledge, to the insight of the higher stages of the Path and to Nirvana. Therefore is it, Potthapada, that I have put forward a statement as to that.” IV
In this dialogue it is clearly put forth what is the subject matter of Religion and what is not the subject matter of Dhamma. The two are poles apart.
The purpose of Religion is to explain the origin of the world. The purpose of Dhamma is to reconstruct the world.
§4. Morality and Religion
What is the place of morality in Religion ?
As a matter of truth morality has no place in Religion.
The content of religion consists of God, soul, prayers, worship, rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices.
Morality comes in only wherein man comes in relation to man.
Morality comes in into religion as a side wind to maintain peace and order.
Religion is a triangular piece.
Be good to your neighbour because you are both children of God.
That is the argument of religion.
Every religion preaches morality but morality is not the root of religion.
It is a wagon attached to it. It is attached and detached as the occasion requires.
The action of morality in the functioning of religion is therefore casual and occasional.
Morality in religion is therefore not effective.
§ 5. Dhamma and Morality
What is the place of morality in Dhamma ?
The simple answer is Morality is Dhamma and Dhamma is Morality.
In other words, in Dhamma morality takes the place of God although there is no God in Dhamma.