Dhammachakra Pravartan Din is a Buddhist festival celebrated in India that marks the anniversary of conversion of Dr. B R Ambedkar to Buddhism. In a formal public ceremony held on 14 October 1956, Dr. Ambedkar along with his family and supporters converted to Buddhism at Deeksha Bhoomi. Every year, grand celebrations are held at Deeksha Bhoomi where millions of Buddhists gather to celebrate the mass conversion.
This day is also known as Dhammachakra Pravartan Diwas, Dhammachakra AnuPravartan Din, Dhammachakra AnuPravartan Diwas and Dhammachakra Pravartan Day. Complete details related to Dhammachakra Pravartan Din 2023 such as date, history, significance, etc can be found in this article.
Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din 2023 Overview
| Event | Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din 2023 |
| Date | October 24, 2023 |
| Day | Tuesday |
About Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Diwas 2023
It was the day of Ashoka Vijayadashami on 14th October 1956 when Dr. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism. Therefore, every year on the day of Vijayadashami, Dhammachakra Pravartan Din is observed by the Ambedkarite Buddhists. In the year 2023, this day will fall on Tuesday, October 24.
Other than this, some people also observe 14 October every year as Dhammachakra Pravartan Din.
History of Dhamma chakra Pravartan Din
Dhammachakra Pravartan Din is the day on which Dr. Ambedkar renounced Hinduism and converted to Buddhism. At first, Ambedkar considered converting to Sikhism but after meeting with Sikh leaders, he presumed that he might get “second-rate” Sikh status. So, he decided to understand the Buddhism religion from the core and become a follower of Buddha. In 1950, Ambedkar traveled to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to attend a meeting of the World Fellowship of Buddhists. He also announced that he was writing a book on Buddhism and once it is finished, he would formally convert to Buddhism. In 1956, he completed his book, The Buddha and His Dhamma, and accepted Buddhism as his religion.
Ambedkar attended many meetings with the Sri Lankan Buddhist monk Hammalawa Saddhatissa and organized a formal public ceremony for himself and his supporters in Nagpur on 14 October 1956. He accepted the Three Refuges and Five Precepts from the monk and completed conversion of himself and his wife. Ambedkar then proceeded to convert around half a million of his supporters who were gathered there.
Also check: Hindu Calendar
Significance of Dhamma chakra Pravartan Din
Dhammachakra Pravartan Day is the day on which Ambedkar freed himself from the chain of caste system that exists in Hinduism. In this way, the day signifies freedom and transformation for fight against oppression. Not only Ambedkar but around five lakhs of his supporters also adopted Buddhism on the day of Dhammachakra Pravartan Diwas.
This day is therefore considered important in Buddhist history and has special significance for those who converted to Buddhism to free themselves from any chain they were bound to.
Dhamma chakra Pravartan Din Celebration
The Dhammachakra Pravartan Din is celebrated mainly by the Buddhists and followers or supporters of Dr. B R Ambedkar. People gather at the Deeksha Bhoomi to pay their tributes to Lord Buddha and Dr. Ambedkar for their contribution towards benefit of mankind.
Teachings and preaching of Buddha and Ambedkar are spread by their followers on this day and many cultural events are organized on the occasion of Dhammachakra Pravartan Din. Every year, thousands of people convert to Buddhism on this day at Deeksha Bhoomi, Nagpur.
Also check: Important Days in October
Dhamma chakra Pravartan Din 2023 Quotes
Some inspiring quotes related to the Dhammachakra Pravartan Din and Buddhism are given below for you to send to your friends and family on this occasion.
The teachings of Buddha are eternal, but even then Buddha did not proclaim them to be infallible.
The religion of Buddha has the capacity to change according to times, a quality which no other religion can claim to have.
If you study carefully, you will see that Buddhism is based on reason.
The religion of Buddha is morality. What God is to other religions, morality is to Buddhism.
Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.
A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.
FAQs
Yes
24th October 2023 (people also celebrate it on 14th October).
On this day, B. R. Ambedkar accepted Buddhism.
