[Buddha-l] the 22 vows

[Sherab Lodro]

Hi Joanna, Curt and others,

    While on an extended visit to India, that included trips to seven of the 
"eight" Buddhist pilgrimage sites endorsed by the Indian Government tourist 
literature, I encountered numerous beings that had converted to Dr. 
Ambedkar's style of Buddhism. Truth be told, I found it troubling that while 
looking at a text produced by the Ambedkar folks with a gentleman who was 
studying it, there was explicit teaching on the truth of a permanent soul. 
The religious teachings expressed had little to do with what most members of 
this list would think of as "Buddhist".  However I agree with Joanna about 
the lives of the Dalits from my limited exposure and observation.  This may 
not be the teaching of the Buddha as we know it, but it is certainly "a 
better hole to run to", and in that, leads to a downgoing of suffering.


Sherab



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "jkirk" <jkirk at spro.net>
To: "'Buddhist discussion forum'" <buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com>
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 10:11 PM
Subject: RE: [Buddha-l] the 22 vows


> Well Curt,
> If you knew anything about the lives most Dalits have been forced to lead,
> you would understand the origin and promulgation of these vows, meant to
> release the converts from the control that belief in these Hindu deities 
> has
> had over the detrimental pursuit and practice of their lives, as Hindus.
> These 22 vows are not surprising at all, and no more sectarian than
> allegiances to various schools of Buddhism, Christian sects, Islamic 
> sects,
> etc.
>
> Joanna
> ========================================================
>
>
>
>
>
> Those much touted "conversion" ceremonies for Dalits in India involve 
> taking
> 22 vows - at least 8 of which are devoted to pure unmitigated religious
> sectarianism of the the most distasteful variety. I am surprised that a
> non-Christian came up with these:
>
> I shall have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara nor shall I worship
> them.
>
> I shall have no faith in Rama and Krishna who are believed to be 
> incarnation
> of God nor shall I worship them.
>
> I shall have no faith in Gauri, Ganapati and other gods and goddesses of
> Hindus nor shall I worship them.
>
> I do not believe in the incarnation of God.
>
> I do not and shall not believe that Lord Buddha was the incarnation of
> Vishnu. I believe this to be sheer madness and false propaganda.
>
> I shall not perform Shraddha nor shall I give pind-dan.
>
> I renounce Hinduism, which is harmful for humanity and impedes the
> advancement and development of humanity because it is based on inequality,
> and adopt Buddhism as my religion.
>
> I firmly believe the Dhamma of the Buddha is the only true religion.
>
> - Curt
>
> P.S. That last one is my favorite!!!
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