One of the most far-reaching of Sangharakshita's contributions to modern Buddhism was giving shape to the Buddhist conversion movement begun by the great Indian statesman and reformer, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. In 1956, along with hundreds of thousands of his followers, Ambedkar renounced the Hindu caste system—according to which they were condemned to be "untouchable"—and converted to Buddhism, thus beginning a new life.
The first part of this volume tells the story of how Ambedkar overcame the suffering and struggle of his early years to become the shaper of the Indian constitution and the leader of his people to a new life; also how, following Ambedkar's untimely death, Sangharakshita took on the challenge of teaching Buddhism to the new community of Buddhists.
The second part is a collection of thirty-six edited talks, many published here for the first time, from Sangharakshita's tour of the Buddhist communities in India in 1981-82.
Sangharakshita
is the founder and principal teacher of Triratna, a worldwide Buddhist movement. With teaching experience spanning sixty years, he is the author of over forty books.