From Tradition to Reform: Ambedkar’s Reconstruction of Buddhist Thought

Abstract

This paper critically examines the reinterpretation of Buddhism by B. R. Ambedkar and the socio-philosophical motivations underlying his conversion. Unlike conventional religious conversions motivated primarily by spiritual concerns, Ambedkar’s embrace of Buddhism was a deliberate ethical and political act of resistance against the caste system entrenched within Hinduism. Rejecting Hinduism for its sanction of hierarchical inequality, he sought a religious framework grounded in justice, rationality, and human dignity. Among various alternatives, Buddhism appealed to him because of its egalitarian ethos, ethical orientation, and compatibility with democratic ideals.

However, Ambedkar did not accept traditional Buddhism uncritically. In The Buddha and His Dhamma, he questioned metaphysical doctrines such as karma, rebirth, and nirvana, offering instead socially engaged and rational interpretations. His reformulated tradition, known as Navayāna or the “New Way,” placed morality, social justice, and the empowerment of the marginalized at the center of Buddhist practice. He redefined dukkha (suffering) not as an individual existential condition, but as a manifestation of structural social and economic injustice. Similarly, Dhamma was interpreted not as ritual observance, but as an ethical path rooted in compassion, equality, and justice.

The paper also analyzes the varied responses to Ambedkar’s reinterpretation. While traditionalist Buddhists regard Navayāna as a departure from canonical orthodoxy, many modern scholars and social activists view it as a necessary and contextually relevant reform. Ultimately, this study argues that Navayana represents a legitimate and philosophically grounded development within Buddhist thought, transforming Buddhism into a dynamic instrument for combating caste oppression, inequality, and injustice in modern India.