Critics of His Doctrines. - Page 529

z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 07.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 510

510 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES

VI

§ 4. Charge of Preaching Virtue and Creating Gloom

(1)

Dukkha as the Cause of Gloom

1. Dukkha in its original sense given to it by Kapila means unrest, commotion.

2. Initially it had a metaphysical meaning.

3. Later on it acquired the meaning of suffering and sorrow

4. The two senses were not far detached. They were very close.

5. Unrest brings sorrow and suffering.

6. Soon it acquired the meaning of sorrow and suffering from social and economic causes.

7. In what sense did the Buddha use the word sorrow and suffering ?

8. There is a sermon on record from which it is clear that the Buddha was very much aware that poverty was a cause of sorrow.

9. In that sermon he says—“ Monks, is poverty a woeful thing for a worldly wanton ? ”

10. “ Surely, Lord.”

11. “ And when a man is poor, needy, in straits, he gets into debt, and is that woeful too ?”

12. “ Surely, Lord.”

13. “ And when he gets into debt, he borrows, and is that woeful too ? ”

14. “Surely, Lord.”

15. “And when the bill falls due, he pays not and they press him; is that woeful too?”

16. “Surely, Lord.”

17. “ And when pressed, he pays not and they beset him ; is that woeful too ? ”

18. “ Surely, Lord. ”

19. “And when beset, he pays not and they bind him; is that woeful too?”

20. “ Surely, Lord. ”

21. “Thus, monks, poverty, debt, borrowing,