Navayana Buddhism

Recently, a Minister in Delhi government had to resign after he attended a function to commemorate Buddhist Conversion Day, held on Ashok Vijay Dashami.

Background: On the occasion of Ashok Vijayadashami, on 14 October 1956, B. R. Ambedkar along with more than half a million followers embraced Buddhism in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

• The day it happened is called Dhammachakra Pravartan Din.
• Even though the conversion took place on October 14, Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, which marks the event, is celebrated on Ashoka Vijayadashami (Dussehra) every year.

About Navayana Buddhism: Ambedkar called his version of Buddhism Navayana or "Neo-Buddhism". His book, The Buddha and His Dhamma is the holy book of Navayana followers. Followers of Navayana Buddhism are generally called "Buddhists" (Baud'dha) as well as Ambedkarite Buddhists, Neo-Buddhists, and rarely Navayana Buddhists.