119. 26-5-1950 Non-Believers should be Converted to the Eight-Fold Path - Page 433

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NON-BELIEVERS SHOULD BE CONVERTED TO THE EIGHT-FOLD PATH

The Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists was held at Candy (Ceylon) from 25th May to 6th June

1950. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar attended the Conference.

On 26th May 1950 the representatives of 27 countries came together in the ‘Temple of the Truth’ to discuss the subject of Revival of Buddhism. The resolution regarding brotherhood in the world was passed in the Conference.

Thereafter Dr. B. R. Ambedkar addressed the Conference. [1]

Dr. Ambedkar in his speech said,

“I am an interested observer, not a delegate. I came here with some very serious purposes. You probably know that there are people in India who thought the time had come when an effort might be made to revive Buddhism in India. I am one of them. The definite objects of my visit are first, to see Buddhist Ceremonial. Ceremonial is an important part of religion. Whatever rationalists might say, ceremonial is a very essential thing in religion. By coming here I thought I would be able to see the ritual that formed part and parcel of Buddhism.

Secondly, I wish to find out to what extent the religion of the Buddha is observed here in its pristine purity and to what extent His Gospel is encrusted by superstition, with beliefs incongruous with Buddhism and Buddha’s doctrines.

My third objective is to find out to what extent the Order of Bhikkhus as established by Buddha has been of service to the community and whether that Order is merely engaged in maintaining what is called “purity of life” for itself, or whether it is engaged in serving the laity, advising and making it perfect in the way the Buddha wished it to be. I am interested in finding out to what extent the religion of Buddha is a living

1. : Dalit Bandhu, dated 28th May 1950.