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Award Ceremony in Nagpur, India - October 2014

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Award Ceremony in Nagpur, India - October 2014

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In October 2014, H.H. Buddha Maitreya the Christ and his wife, H.H. Mandarava Tara, the female incarnation of the Bodhisattva Tara, were chosen as joint recipients for the prestigious Dr Ambedkar International Buddhist Award presented in Nagpur, India. They were also honored in 2016.

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Jhewak Welfare Society, Founder President: Dr. Milind Jiwane (takes) this opportunity to honour H.H. Buddha Maitreya & Mandarava Tara (goodselves) by the Dr. Ambedkar International Award 2014 by virtue of (Their) initiative and active role to spread Buddhisim, Global Peace, Meditation among the generations to come with great expectations to put them inot practice at the International level.
- Dr. Milind Jiwane, Founder & President

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These awards celebrate and recognize the work of eminent personalities in the world who have worked ceaselessly to further world peace through practicing dharmic activities and spreading the teachings of Buddhism for the collective betterment of humanity.

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About the Award

Every year, the selection committee of the Jeewak Welfare Society and Ashwaghosh Buddhists Foundation of Nagpur, India selects an international recipient (these years being a joint award) to celebrate Buddha and Tara's work and contribution to furthering Buddhism through awarding them the Dr Ambedkar International Award in 2014 and the Sakyamuni Buddha International Award in 2016.

Dr Ambedkar was an eminent Indian Buddhist and father of the Indian Constitution. The first Law Minister of India, he converted 500,000 Hindu people to Buddhism on October 14, 1956 in Nagpur at the holy place known as Deeksha Bhoomi. He was against slavery and the caste system and was a member of the untouchable caste (Dalit) himself which helped change laws and get Hindu untouchables to move over to Buddhism in large numbers.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, strongly advocated for abolishing the caste system and supported Dalit struggles. He is still revered as a hero for Dalits today. His contributions can be seen in some of the special constitutional provisions for social equality for the Scheduled Castes (the term for untouchables first used by the British). The practice of untouchability was “abolished” in the constitution of independent India (articles 15 and 17), and the Untouchability (Offenses) Act of 1955 makes such discriminatory practices punishable by law. Article 46 provides the Indian version of affirmative action, specifically the promotion of educational and economic benefits for the “weaker sections” of the society.

His contributions can be seen in some of the special constitutional provisions for social equality for the Scheduled Castes (the term for untouchables first used by the British). The practice of untouchability was “abolished” in the constitution of independent India (articles 15 and 17), and the Untouchability (Offenses) Act of 1955 makes such discriminatory practices punishable by law. Article 46 provides the Indian version of affirmative action, specifically the promotion of educational and economic benefits for the “weaker sections” of the society.

You can read more in-depth about Dr. Ambedkar here and here.

Dr. Ambedkar & Some of the Previous Recipients of the Award

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