22 Vows of Ambedkar on Hinduism and Buddhism

22 Vows of Ambedkar are the twenty-two pledges taken by Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar to firmly reject any belief in the Hindu-Brahmanical faith systems and ways of life.

He not only himself took these 22 vows but also administered them to his 6 lakh followers who simultaneously converted to Buddhism alongside him on October 14th, 1956, at Nagpur in a mass-conversion ceremony.

In these 22 vows, Ambedkar and his followers promised to have no faith in any of the Hindu-Brahmanical Gods like Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Gauri, Ganesh, Rama, Krishna, etc. They also vowed to never partake in any Brahmanical ritual or ceremonies.

Besides rejecting Hindu-Brahmanism, they also took the solemn pledge to believe in the equality and dignity of humankind and to promote the same.

These 22 Vows of Ambedkar also demonstrate the core deviation of the Ambedkarite movement from the core beliefs of Buddhism.

22 Vows of Ambedkar

Given below are the 22 Vows of Ambedkar as translated by Gail Omvedt.

1. I shall have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara, nor shall I worship them.
2. I shall have no faith in Rama and Krishna, who are believed to be an incarnation of God, nor shall I worship them.
3. I shall have no faith in Gauri, Ganapati, and other gods and goddesses of Hindus, nor shall I worship them.
4. I do not believe in the incarnation of God.
5. I do not and shall not believe that Lord Buddha was the incarnation of Vishnu. I believe this to be sheer madness and false propaganda.
6. I shall not perform Shraddha nor shall I give pind.
7. I shall not act in a manner violating the principles and teachings of the Buddha.
8. I shall not allow any ceremonies to be performed by Brahmins.
9. I shall believe in the equality of man.
10. I shall endeavor to establish equality.
11. I shall follow the Noble Eightfold Path of the Buddha.
12. I shall follow the ten paramitas prescribed by the Buddha.
13. I shall have compassion and loving-kindness for all living beings and protect them.
14. I shall not steal.
15. I shall not tell lies.
16. I shall not commit carnal sins.
17. I shall not take intoxicants like liquor, drugs, etc.
18. I shall endeavor to follow the Noble Eightfold Path and practice compassion and loving-kindness in everyday life.
19. I renounce Hinduism, which disfavors humanity and impedes the advancement and development of humanity because it is based on inequality, and adopt Buddhism as my religion.
20. I firmly believe the Dhamma of the Buddha is the only true religion.
21. I believe that by adopting Buddhism I am having a re-birth.
22. I solemnly declare and affirm that I shall hereafter lead my life according to the teachings of Buddha’s Dhamma.

Considering the historical significance of these twenty-two vows, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Deekshabhoomi Memorial Committee has carved the 22 Vows of Ambedkar on a wide marble stone at the Deekshabhoomi ground in Nagpur and placed the pillar at the first sight of the stupa.

Read more Subaltern Articles–

• Ambedkar’s views on Lord Rama: Excerpts from Riddles of Hinduism
• Ambedkar’s views on Islam: Excerpts from “Pakistan or Partition of India”