Q.2. Relevance of 22 vows
After receiving ordination, Ambedkar gave dhammadiksha to his followers. The ceremony included 22 vows given to all new converts after Three Jewels and Five Precepts.
He prescribed 22 vows to his followers:
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, 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.
6. I shall not perform Shraddha nor shall I give pind.
7. I shall not violate the principles and teachings of the Buddha.
8. I shall not allow any ceremonies by Brahmins.
9. I shall believe in the equality of man.
10. I shall endeavour 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.
(The previous four proscriptive vows are from the Five Precepts.)
18. I shall endeavour to follow the noble eightfold path and practice compassion and loving-kindness in every day 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 consider that I have taken a new birth.
22. I solemnly declare and affirm that I shall hereafter lead my life according to the teachings of Buddha's Dhamma.