Mysuru: Maintaining that Buddhism was born in India hundreds of centuries ago, MP R. Dhruvanarayan has said that countries such as Japan and Singapore which have embraced Buddhism have made rapid strides in development. He was speaking after inaugurating a special lecture on ‘Bouddha Dhamma: Ambedkar Torida Bidugadeya Daari’ organised by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Research and Extension Centre, Manasagagothri, as part of the 61st anniversary of Dhamma Deeksha at its premises yesterday. Pointing out that Dr. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with his over three lakh followers on Oct. 14, 1956, Dhruvanarayan said Dr. Ambedkar took this decision after years of much thought.

Noting that seven percent of the people of world’s total population had embraced Buddhism, he said that most of the Buddhists in the country today were in Maharashtra, to which Dr. Ambedkar belonged to. He further said that these Buddhists had grown academically, economically and intellectually and were a model to all those who had embraced Buddhism in the country.

Claiming that Buddhism has a strong foundation of peace, happiness, knowledge, affection, etc., he said that Buddhism had not grown much in our State and other areas as anticipated.

Activist Dr. S. Nataraja Boodalu of Tumakaru, Acting UoM VC Prof. Dayananda Mane, Centre Co-ordinator Dr. S. Narendra Kumar and others were present.