The Buddha and His Dhamma

The book is B. R. Ambedkar's final work, published after his death, and a reinterpretation of Buddhist thought and literature. It combines narrative episodes from the life of Gautama Buddha with an examination of the Dhamma's central ideas and moral framework. According to the book, Buddhism is a path for social transformation and the liberation of Dalits, built on reason, compassion, clarity, liberty, equality and fraternity. Drawing on Buddhist canonical material, it makes complex philosophical questions more approachable. It also examines what the Buddha's teaching could mean in the modern world.

Why You Should Read?

• Explore a reinterpretation of Buddhist thought that centres on social transformation and the liberation of Dalits.
• Follow narrative episodes from the life of Gautama Buddha alongside an examination of the Dhamma's core principles.
• Understand how the book presents reason, compassion, ethical conduct and human dignity as central to the Dhamma.
• Discover how Buddhist texts and canonical material make complex philosophical questions more approachable for readers.

About the Author

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an economist, jurist, political leader and social reformer, and chief architect of India’s Constitution.