Few days back when I was talking to General Secretary Punjab (Jalandhar) of Buddhist Society of India one point came while discussion why we (Buddhists) are called Neo-Buddhist (means “New-Buddhists”) why not only Buddhists? Is it a matter of choice that we preferred to be called as Neo-Buddhist rather than Buddhists only?
People do convert to other religions like Islam, Christianity, Jainism but no one is referred as Neo-Muslim, Neo-Christian or Neo-Jain, then why Neo-Buddhist? Some argue Neo-Buddhist is used so as people can disintegrate between newly converted but is there any particular reason for choosing “Neo” word when Buddhism is not alien to us (Mulnivasi-Bahujans)? Or why there is need to disintegrate Buddhists?
This “Neo-Buddhist” & “Buddhist” can lead to problem in Punjab in future as it has proved true in Sikhism, when people from lower castes convert to Sikhism they are not given equal rights. Same way when there will be increase in the number of Buddhist people in Punjab (India) its natural human tendency that people will try to suppress newly converted. (Thou it is not in principles of Buddhism). All this can lead to different sects in Buddhism.
Has Dr B R Ambedkar used this “Neo-Buddhist” anywhere? I don’t think Baba Saheb used “Neo-Buddhist” ever but Buddhist. One thing more some people call Indian Buddhism as “Bhimyana” (on the same lines like Mahayana & Hinyana) I do have objection on this also, it shouldn’t be called other than Buddhism otherwise how many sects we’ll make in Buddhism itself?
I don’t know much about the story of “Neo” word, i.e. how, why it came into picture. Friends please give your views over this.
3 comments:
Bhimayana is not right.
Use what you feel like.
It is your feelings that matter.
Here's a disturbing article on the smuggling of Buddhist relics in India I came across while googling.
Might interest you.
http://buroangla.blogspot.com/2008/07/carry-away-relics.html
Revolutionary JaiBhim! Its true & i totally agree that we must be called as only Buddhist instead of Neo-Buddhist. But if u read Speech given by Babasahab on 13 & 15/10/1956 where He coated as "i am giving "Navayan" so don't bother abt Hinyan or Mahayan" and also read speech given by Babasahab at Nepal(Buddha Ki Karl Marx). We must admit that there diff 'Panth' of Buddhism & Navayan is original revolutionary interpretation of Buddha's Ddhamma which will be accepted by modern world. C if we want to spread Buddhism in modern world then it must be interpreted in such a way & that too without hammering the basic Humanity principles of Dhhama, so that modern world accept it. Otherwise it become rigid same as others & what Buddha say Dhhama is changable as per new circumstances. Don't you think,its so rational & rationality is today's language.
Bhimayana is not correct.We must be called as Buddhists only.Need not have prefix like Neo.
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