BUDDHA or MARX

By Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar

The creed of The Buddha (563 BC)
1. Religion is necessary for a free society
2. Centre of religion must be Man & Morality ,not God
3. Privte ownership of property brings power to one class and sorrow to
another
4. To remove sorrow by removing its cause

5. Worth and not birth is the measure of man

6. What is important is high ideals not noble birth
The Original Creed of the karl marx
1. Scientific socialism
2. Forces which shapes the course of history → Primarily economic
3. Existence of Class conflict ➔ proletariat vs bourgeoisie
4. Owners exploits workers misappropriating the surplus value, so socialism is
inevitable
5. To put end to this exploitation ➔ Abolition of private property
6. Exploitation --->revolution--->class struggle
class conflict ====> class struggle
7. Socialism ====> overthrowing bourgeoisie exploitative regime and establishing
Dictatorship of proletariat
What survives of the Marxian creed
1. Socialism inevitable has been disproved
2. 70 years after DAS CAPITAL , Dictatorship of proletariat first established in 1917 with lot of
violence and bloodshed ==➔ Marxian peopositions have been demolished both by logic as
well as experience
3. The rest of the world is waiting for coming of the proletariat dictatorship

Remains of Karl marx

1. Function of philosophy is to reconstruct the world but not to waste its time in explaining
origin
2. Existence of class conflict
3. Private ownership of property brings power to one class and sorrow to another through
exploitation
4. Sorrow should be removed by abolition of private property
Comparision between buddha and karl marx
“1. Function of philosophy is to reconstruct the world but not to waste its time in explaining origin “

There is complete agreement between Buddha and Karl marx

Source: - Dialogue between Buddha and Brahmin potthapada
“ 2. Existence of class conflict “
As per Ambedkar Buddha indirectly agrees with this point also
Note:- Ambedkar says ‘If for misery one reads exploitation Buddha is not away from
marx’
source : - Dialogue between Buddha and potthapada
Private ownership of property brings power to one class and sorrow to another through expl

source : Dialogue between Buddha and Ananda

Sorrow should be removed by abolition of private property

source : Rules of sangha

The Means to remove misery (exploitation) and unhappiness
1. Observing the panchashila
(1) To abstain from destroying or causing destruction of any living things
(2) To abstain from stealing i.e. acquiring or keeping by fraud or violence, the property of another
(3) To Abstain from telling untruth
(4) To abstain from lust
(5) To abstain from intoxicating drinks.

The means to remove man’s inequity towards man

(1) Right views i.e. freedom from superstition:
(2) Right aims, high and worthy of the intelligent and earnest men;
(3) Right speech i.e. kindly, open, truthful:
(4) Right Conduct i.e. peaceful, honest and pure;
(5) Right livelihood i.e. causing hurt or injury to no living being;
(6) Right perseverance in all the other seven;
(7) Right mindfulness i.e. with a watchful and active mind; and
(8) Right contemplation i.e. earnest thought on the deep mysteries of life.
The aim of the Noble Eight-Fold Path is to establish on earth the kingdom of righteousness, and thereby to banish
sorrow and unhappiness from the face of the world.
The doctrine of nibbana
- The doctrine of Nibbana is an integral part of the doctrine of the Noble Eight-Fold
Path. Without Nibbana the realisation of the Eight-Fold Path cannot be accomplished.
- Tells us about the difficulties we face in the way of the realisation of the Eight-Fold Path.

The first hindrance is the delusion of self.

The second is Doubt and Indecision
The third is dependence on the efficacy of Rites and Ceremonies
The fourth consists of the bodily passions
The fifth is ill will towards other individuals
The sixth is the suppression of the desire for a future life with
a material body
the seventh is the desire for a future life in an immaterial world
The eighth hindrance is Pride
The Nineth is self-righteousness
The tenth hindrance is ignorance (the last enemy and the bitterest foe of man.)
Doctrine of paramitas
- It inculcates the practice of ten virtues in ones daily life
The means adopted by the communists
1. Violence
2. Dictatorship of the proletariat

Communists say ‘above two are the only means , nothing short of it will suffice to break up the existing
system ’

Ambedkar says “The end is common to both buddha and marx, the differences are about the means only”
Evaluation of means
- Buddha was against violence but permitted use of force when required

Source : - Dialogue between Buddha and Sinha senaparti (commander in chief of vaishali)
 BUDDHA vs MARXISM – an evaluation
BUDDHA
- Means – to change the mind of man
- Born as democrat , died as democrat (sakya – a republic )
- Use of force as energy vs use of force as violence
- Ahimsa is not absolute
- Use force as energy
- Bhikkus had democratic constitution
- Refused to appoint dictator
- Its like Parliamentary govt – Duties & rights
- Liberty
- Government by moral disposition
MARXIXTS
- Means – violence, no other way
- Dictatorship of proletariat
- Preaches ahimsa as absolute
- Use force as violence
- No to democracy as it is not possible to overthrow
existing regime
- Without dictator regime is not sustainable
- Dictatorship – only duties no rights
- No liberty
- Government by force
Ambedkars critique of marxism
1. Use of force
2. Depreciating in what you achieved
3. Moral force vs brutal force
4. No definite time for dictatorship
5. No disarmament
6. What would take the place of the state when it wither away? – no answer
7. Not possible to sustain without force & vilence – if withdrawn it leads to anarchy
8. Buddha vs Ananthapindika – acquiring the wealth lawfully
9. Humanity wants both material and spiritual values
10. Communist Philosophy seems to be equally wrong for the aim of their philosophy seems to be fatten
pigs as though
men are no better than pigs.
11. liberty, fraternity, and equality can coexist only if one follows the way of Buddha. Communism can give
one but not all