558 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
should go the wrong way. Without that this religion will remain probably in a very decadent state. Even now that I find it even in the Buddhist countries, its condition is very decadent. But its influence is there. No doubt about it.
I wanted to tell you one very interesting epilogue which I saw in Burma. I went to Burma. I was called for the Conference and they took me to show how they were going to reconstruct the villages. I was very happy. I went with them and the Committee had planned to reform the village. Their streets as usual were crooked, bent here and there, nothing systematic. So the Committee put down iron pillars and lined ropes that this street must go this way. In good many cases I found that the lines drawn by the Committee went across a piece of land which was owned by a private individual. When I went and saw and I asked them, “How are they going to manage ? Have you got money to pay for the property that you are going to take ?” They said, “Nobody wants money.” Everybody said, “If you want it, take it.” Why is this ? Why in my country there would have been bloodshed if you take a little piece of land from somebody without giving him compensation. But there it is, why ? Why were the Burmese so free with their property ? Why did they not care for it ? It is because the Buddha has taught “ Sarvam Anityam.” Everything you see, is impermanent. Why Tight for impermanent things ? It is all right if you want the land, take it.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, I do not think I can continue any further, nor is it necessary for me to do that.
I just wanted to give you a point of view from which to look at. Do not be allured by Communist successes. I am quite confident that if we all become one tenth as enlightened as the Buddha was, we can bring about the same result by the methods of love, of justice, and good will. Thank you very much.” [1]
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- : Report of the 4th Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, Kathamandu, Nepal.