‘Caste system has prevented Dalits from entering mainstream society’

MP Sreenivasa Prasad releases book ‘Tathagata Patha’

Mysore/Mysuru: Maintaining that caste system is dominating Hindu Dharma, MP V. Sreenivasa Prasad said that the same system has prevented Dalits from entering mainstream society. He was speaking after releasing writer  S. Chikkasavaka’s work titled ‘Tathagata Patha’ at a programme organised by Mysuru Unit of Bharatiya Bouddha Mahasabha in association with Inspire Fenster at Mini Theatre in Kalamandira premises here on Sunday.

Noting that Hindu religion has innumerable number of castes and communities, Sreenivasa Prasad said that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, realising that embracing Hinduism meant acceptance of inequality and untouchability, converted to Buddhism for the sake of religious liberation and social equality.

Contending that the Buddhist population in Karnataka is just 1 percent as compared to 6 percent in neighbouring Maharashtra, the home State of Dr. Ambedkar, the MP said that a number of persons belonging to SC communities were not entering ‘Religion’ column in Forms as Buddhists. Asserting that he himself has mentioned his religion as Buddhism in forms, Sreenivasa Prasad said that Dalits should know that they can get reservation even upon embracing Buddhism.

Senior writer Dr. Moodnakoodu Chinnaswamy opined that one must embrace Buddhsim for transformation and liberation. Claiming that liberation can be achieved by coming out of the cesspool of caste and the framework of Hinduism, he said that Buddhism is growing with the coming up  of Buddha Vihars.

Veteran writer Dr. C.P. Krishna Kumar (CPK), in his address, said that ‘Tathagata Patha’ meant Buddha Marga. Observing that the book can be called as a handbook of Buddhism                                                             and culture, he said that Buddhism, which was born in India, has spread its fragrance across the globe.

Stating that Swami Vivekananda had great respect for Buddha, he recalled that Swami Vivekananda has described Buddha as a great human who was born on earth. It will not be wrong to say that we are now living in a world of neo-Buddhism, he added.

Senior writer Dr. Siddalingaiah, Nalanda University’s Bodhidatta Bhanteji, author S. Chikkasavaka, Buddhist scholar Dr. D.A. Shankar, former Rangayana Director Janardhan and others were present.