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THE BUDDHA DHAMMA WILL BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar declared his conversion to Buddhism through a statement issued from New Delhi.
The Statement is as follows—
26, Alipore Road, Civil Lines, Delhi.
23rd September 1956.
The date and place of my conversion to Buddhism has now been finally fixed. It will take place at Nagpur on the Dussehra* day i.e. 14th October 1956. The ceremony of conversion will take place between 9 and 11 a.m. and in the evening of the same day I will address the gathering.
Dr. B. R. AMBEDKAR,
23rd September 1956.”
The programme was published in detail in ‘Prabuddha Bharat’ Weekly. It was informed that those who are desirous of converting, should be above 18 years of age. [1]
The complete responsibility of the organizing this conversion programme was delegated to ‘Indian Buddhist Council’, Nagpur branch. Accordingly, Mr. W. M. Godbole, Secretary of the committee, published a handbill as follows :—
“ Mass Conversion
Revered Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Founder and President of Buddhist Society of India shall embrace Buddhism at the ceremony to be held at Nagpur at 8 a. m. on the Vijaya Dashmi day- Sunday, the 14th October 1956. Venerable Bhikkhu Chandramani Maha Thera of Burma, now in India, shall perform the ceremony.
- Ashoka Vijaya Dashmi.
- : Prabuddha Bharat, 29th September 1956.