Contribution of Buddhism to Modern India
In 1945, after the cessation of hostilities of the Second World War, the British Government decided to transfer power to Indian hands. Accordingly, they sent a three-man Cabinet Mission to study the situation in India, and to suggest the ways and means for the smooth transfer of power to Indian hands. On 16 May 1946, the Cabinet Mission announced its proposals recommending inter-alia the setting up of a Constituent Assembly to frame a Constitution for the future governance of India. The Cabinet Mission Plan was accepted by all, though with some reservations. Then followed elections to the Constituent Assembly in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Cabinet Mission.
The Constituent Assembly, which had a galaxy of prominent leaders and other personalities proficient in various walks of life, began its historic task of framing free India's Constitution on 9 December 1946. Besides framing the Constitution, the Constituent Assembly was also required to choose the National Flag and the National Emblem. When the Assembly failed to find any suitable symbols from the Brahmanic culture, the founding fathers turned to Buddhism, and were not disappointed. Since the Buddhist heritage represented the glorious past of India, they readily adopted the Buddhist symbols as National Symbols. These are: the Lion Capital of the Asokan Pillar at Sarnath as the National
Emblem, and the Buddhist Wheel of Law(Dharmachakra) in the Central part of the National Flag.
The three inspiring personalities behind the adoption of these symbols of the Buddhist culture as ‘National Symbols’ were: Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly, who hailed from Bihar, the land of Buddha's Enlightenment; Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister, a great admirer of the Buddha and Asoka; and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Committee which drafted the Constitution, who was to change the course of history a few years later by leading millions of his followers to the fold of Buddhism.
On 22 July, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru moved the following Resolution in the Constituent Assembly:
Mr. President, it is my proud privilege to move the following Resolution:
"Resolved that the National Flag of India shall be horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (Kesari), white and dark green in equal proportion. In the center of the white band, there shall
be a Wheel in navy blue to represent the Charkha. The design of the Wheel shall be that of the Wheel (Chakra) which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Asoka. The diameter of the wheel shall be approximate to the width of the white band. The ratio of the width to the length of the Flag shall ordinarily be 2: 3.”
This Resolution, Sir, is in simple language, in slightly technical language and there is no glow or warmth in the words that I have read. Yet I am sure that many in this House will feel that glow and warmth which I feel at the present moment far behind this Resolution and the Flag which I have the honour to present to this House for adoption lies history, the concentrated history of a short span in a nation's existence. Nevertheless, sometimes in a brief period we pass through the track of centuries. It is not so much the mere act of living that counts but what one does in this brief life that is ours; it is not so much the mere existence of a nation that counts but what the nation does during the various periods of its existence; and I do venture to claim that in the past quarter of a century or so India has lived and acted in a concentrated way and the emotions which have filled the.
Contribution of Buddhism to Modern India In 1945, after the cessation of hostilities of the Second World War, the British Government decided to transfer power to Indian hands. Accordingly, they sent a three-man Cabinet Mission to study the situation in India, and to suggest the ways and means for the smooth transfer of power to Indian hands. On 16 May 1946, the Cabinet Mission announced its proposals recommending inter-alia the setting up of a Constituent Assembly to frame a Constitution for the future governance of India. The Cabinet Mission Plan was accepted by all, though with some reservations. Then followed elections to the Constituent Assembly in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Cabinet Mission. The Constituent Assembly, which had a galaxy of prominent leaders and other personalities proficient in various walks of life, began its historic task of framing free India's Constitution on 9 December 1946. Besides framing the Constitution, the Constituent Assembly was also required to choose the National Flag and the National Emblem. When the Assembly failed to find any suitable symbols from the Brahmanic culture, the founding fathers turned to Buddhism, and were not disappointed. Since the Buddhist heritage represented the glorious past of India, they readily adopted the Buddhist symbols as National Symbols. These are: the Lion Capital of the Asokan Pillar at Sarnath as the NationalEmblem, and the Buddhist Wheel of Law(Dharmachakra) in the Central part of the National Flag. The three inspiring personalities behind the adoption of these symbols of the Buddhist culture as ‘National Symbols’ were: Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly, who hailed from Bihar, the land of Buddha's Enlightenment; Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister, a great admirer of the Buddha and Asoka; and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Committee which drafted the Constitution, who was to change the course of history a few years later by leading millions of his followers to the fold of Buddhism. On 22 July, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru moved the following Resolution in the Constituent Assembly: Mr. President, it is my proud privilege to move the following Resolution:"Resolved that the National Flag of India shall be horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (Kesari), white and dark green in equal proportion. In the center of the white band, there shall be a Wheel in navy blue to represent the Charkha. The design of the Wheel shall be that of the Wheel (Chakra) which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Asoka. The diameter of the wheel shall be approximate to the width of the white band. The ratio of the width to the length of the Flag shall ordinarily be 2: 3.” This Resolution, Sir, is in simple language, in slightly technical language and there is no glow or warmth in the words that I have read. Yet I am sure that many in this House will feel that glow and warmth which I feel at the present moment far behind this Resolution and the Flag which I have the honour to present to this House for adoption lies history, the concentrated history of a short span in a nation's existence. Nevertheless, sometimes in a brief period we pass through the track of centuries. It is not so much the mere act of living that counts but what one does in this brief life that is ours; it is not so much the mere existence of a nation that counts but what the nation does during the various periods of its existence; and I do venture to claim that in the past quarter of a century or so India has lived and acted in a concentrated way and the emotions which have filled the.
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