The more Dr. Ambedkar visited Buddhist centres and read about Buddhism more he found peace and solace. The history and the thoughts of Buddha were in tune with his own thinking. He believed that any government, system, institution or society that can not fulfil all the desires and aspirations of an individual or that fails to give relief from pain, miseries and wants then it is useless. The religion must be an answer to all those. The character must be the highest water mark and it should be the base of the healthy society.
Finally, Dr. Ambedkar decided to formally go into the fold of Buddha leaving Hinduism which only gave him woes and more woes laced with humiliations. The day set was 14th October 1956. On that day Dr. Ambedkar, his wife Sharda Kabeer Ambedkar, son Yashwant Rao and faithful assistant Nanakchand left Bombay for Nagpur by plane.
His arrival at Buddhist congregation was known to all. Thousands of his supporters and followers were already there. The venue where Dr. Ambedkar and his family was to be initiated into Buddhism was a crowded place. The crowd was hailing Dr. Ambedkar.
The Buddhist monk Chintamani called out to the crowd, “I request you to calm down and be silent please. The initiation ritual of Dr. Ambedkar into Buddhist fold is about to begin. Take your seats who are inside.”
Dr. Ambedkar was now sitting in yellow monk robe. Chintamani sat infront of him.
Dr. Ambedkar’s head was shaven off formally. He was put through ablution process and handed a begging bowl.
Monk Chintamani asked Dr. Ambedkar, “Have you any attachment to anything, person or place?”
‘‘No,’’ Ambedkar said.
“Have you renounced the worldly things?”
“I have.’’
“Are you ready to abide by the truth?”
“Truth is my mother.”
“Will you tolerate harsh words?”
“I will.”
That question was irrelevant because Hindus had treated Dr. Ambedkar to harsh words all his life. He survived all those cruel words.
Chintamani made him repeat the Buddhist chant—
‘Buddham sharnam gachchhami.’
Sangham sahrnam gachchhami,
Dharmam Sharnam gachchhami.
(I go to the fold of Buddha, I go to seek refuge in Sangha, I surrender to dharma)
The monk priest Chintamani asked Ambedkar to take thirteen vows. Ambedkar faithfully nodded.
You will not believe in Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva being God.
‘I will not’.
You will not take Rama and Krishna as God incarnations.
‘I will not take’.
You won’t worship Gauri, Ganapati, Devi or Devtas.
“I won’t”.
All your life you won’t worship any Hindu God or deity.
“I won’t worship any.”
You will not believe in any incarnation of God.
“I will not”.
You will not take part in any Hindu rituals.
No Shradha and Pinddana rituals.
You won’t ever speak ill of Buddhism.
You will be merciful to all creature and adhere to non-violence.
You won’t get any rites performed by Brahmins.
You won’t eat flesh.
You will surrender your life to Buddha.
At the end of ritual all hailed Brother Ambedkar. Along with Ambedkar thousands of his followers also embraced Buddhism.
In other cities also Buddhist congregations were held and thousands of untouchables became Buddhists and the process still continues.
After the conversion Ambedkars returned to Bombay. He was writing a book ‘Buddha and future of his Religion’. Inspite of failing health Ambedkar visited several Buddhist pilgrim centres. His wife Sharda and son Yashwant always stayed by his side. Being a diabetic he needed constant attention of his doctor wife.
He had again shifted to Delhi as he was a member of Rajya Sabha and attended the sessions regularly. After a pilgrimage Ambedkar came back to Delhi on 30th November, 1956.
On 2nd December he attended the function held for honouring Dalai Lama in Delhi. His health was fast deteriorating to the great worry of his wife and the son.
On 4th December, he attended Rajya Sabha. On 5th December he went to bed after writing the preface of a book. He was looking haggard and drained off energy. Nanakchand looked at his master with great concern.
He looked at the sleeping figure of Ambedkar praying for his safety. Dr. Sharda entered the room and checked her husband without waking him up. She asked Nanakchand to retire to his room.
Dr. Ambedkar woke up several times at night. Dr. Sharda Kabeer put him to sleep every time. In the morning hours Dr. Ambedkar appeared to have gone into sound sleep.
Dr. Sharda went to her room to freshen up. After some time she returned to her husband’s room. His sleeping figure looked still. The doctor checked and stood frozen.
Dr. Bheemrao Ambedkar had passed away.
The news of his death spread like wild fire. The leaders trooped in to pay their tributes and to console the bereaved family.
The markets of Bombay closed down to pay respect to the departed leader. In Delhi crowds were converging on Alipur Road residence of Dr. Ambedkar.
It was decided to fly his body to Bombay where he was to be cremated. In the evening his body was taken to Palam airport from where it was to be flown to Bombay. There were crowds all along the road to the airport.
The special plane carrying his body landed at Bombay at 2 a.m. A huge crowd was waiting there to receive the mortal remains of its dear departed leader. Bombay had been like Dr. Ambedkar’s home city from where he launched all his crusades and campaigns.
His body was taken to his home from the airport. All through the wee hours and the morning his follower, admirers, disciples and associates kept flowing in to pay their last respects to Doctor Ambedkar.
When the funeral procession began the roads were lined up with tearful thousands of people for whom Dr. Ambedkar has done so much and sacrificed so much. The eight kilometre long route was humming with Buddhist chants. The funeral procession ended at Shivaji Park.
His body was put on funeral pyre and Yashwant Rao put flame to the fire.
The famous scholar of Marathi, Acharya Atre paid his tributes to Dr. Ambedkar by loudly saying, “O gods of heavens! Behold this sight which you will never again see.”
Thus ended the saga of one of the greatest sons of India.
The speaker of Lok Sabha paid tribute to the departed leader on behalf of the Parliament in following words—‘We all know that Dr. Ambedkar was great patriot, philosopher, leader, and the creator of Indian Constitution. He was one of the great ones of India. He struggled for the human rights of crores of countrymen. For the defence of democracy he launched several movements.
The incredible work done by him in the creation of Constitution of India will always be remembered by all generations of Indians. The effort put by him in this task was appreciated and admired all over the world. That will remain written in the golden letters in the history of India. Today he is no more with us but his fond memories will always remain with us. We pay our deepest respects to that great man, the creator of our constitution and the patriot.’
London Times wrote—‘Dr. Ambedkar is a prominent name in the development of India’s social and political life. His face ever reflected supreme confidence, courage and will power. He was subjected to humiliations of caste prejudices at every step by the upper caste people. Nehru had felt this deeply in heart. He thought that Dr. Ambedkar was living symbol of rebellion against the terror of Hindu society. His rebellion spread a new kind of awareness among the down trodden.
