Mysore/Mysuru: University of Mysore (UoM) Prasaranga Director Dr. M. Nanjaiah has said that those who have converted to Buddhism are in a state of confusion now, as they are unable to forget their basic religion.

He was speaking after releasing the book ‘Navayana Buddhism’, at a programme organised jointly by The Shared Mirror Publishing House – Round Table India and Angala Sahitya Balaga, at Buddha Statue in Manasagangothri campus.

He pointed out that the Buddha Navayana began after Dr. B.R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956. “Dr. Ambedkar wanted to show that by embracing Buddhism and following the ideals it is possible to build a good society,”  Nanjaiah added.

Stating that Dr. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism at a time when it was on the verge of extinction, Dr. Nanjaiah said that those who have joined Buddhism recently are now building Buddha Viharas and also celebrating Guru Purnima. “But the converted people are still unable to come out of the practices of their basic religion and are in a state of confusion. Those who embrace Buddhism must follow Buddha’s consciousness and follow his ideals. I wish, those days come early,” he added.

“Buddhism Study Centres should be established at all Universities of the country. We have already appealed twice to start a Buddhism Study Centre at UoM. In addition, more seminars and interaction programmes should be held about the book Navayana Buddhism,” he concluded.

The Shared Mirror Publishing House – Round Table India Co-founder Kuffir Nalgundwar, who too spoke, said that Dr. Ambedkar wanted to join a religion which is least harmful to the nation and embraced Buddhism. “We have taken three years to bring out this book which is already released in Maharastra. Discussions and interactions are being organised about the book there. ‘Navayana Buddhism’ is already translated to Hindi, Marathi and Telugu languages and in the coming days will be translated into Kannada as well. We will cooperate with those who want join with us in this mission,” he added.

Thinker Sridhar Agalaiah, Angala Sahitya’s Pradeep Mummadi and students were present on the occasion.