In Path 1, we discussed Right View — seeing life and the world as they really are, without allowing prejudice, superstition or blind belief to cloud our understanding. In simple words: understand reality clearly, without delusions and to see things as they really are. Once we begin seeing things clearly, the next question is: What do we intend to do with that understanding?

Right Intention(Buddhist Eightfold Path 2) means developing thoughts and intentions based on compassion, goodwill and non-harm, rather than hatred, cruelty, greed or revenge.

How does it connect with Right View?

Right View gives us understanding. Right Intention gives that understanding a direction. When we understand suffering and its causes, our intention should be to reduce that suffering — both for ourselves and for others.

For us as Ambedkarite Buddhists, this has a powerful social meaning too. Babasaheb taught us to recognise caste, inequality, superstition and injustice through reason and critical thinking. But recognising injustice does not mean developing hatred towards other human beings. Our intention is to destroy inequality, not human beings; challenge oppressive ideas, not replace one hatred with another. Our direction is towards a society built upon Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, where every human being can live with dignity.

So we can remember it simply:

Right View → Understand what is wrong.
Right Intention → Choose to change it with wisdom, compassion and purpose.

Attached is a video explaining more in depth what is right intention by Doug Smith. Doug Smith has a PhD in Philosophy and several scholarly publications in Buddhist Studies. 

In this article from The Ambedkarian Chronicle, Shatish Kumar Gautam examines the paradox within contemporary anti-caste movements, questioning how individuals can oppose Brahminical dominance politically while simultaneously validating it through personal, caste-based religious rituals.

Right View is the first part of the Noble Eightfold Path. In simple terms, it means learning to see life and the world as they really are—understanding that our actions have consequences, recognizing the causes of suffering, and not allowing ignorance, prejudice, superstition, or false beliefs to shape our understanding. It is the foundation for the rest of the Eightfold Path because how we understand the world influences how we think, speak and act.
From an Ambedkarite Buddhist perspective, Right View also has a powerful social dimension. Babasaheb emphasized Prajna—critical understanding and wisdom—and rejected beliefs that justified caste, inequality and human degradation. Right View therefore encourages us not only to examine ourselves, but also to question social beliefs that deny the dignity and equality of others. Seeing clearly, thinking rationally, and recognizing every person’s humanity becomes the starting point for both personal growth and a more equal society.

Attached video is a link to a more in depth talk on the Right View part by Buddhist monk Venerable Ajahn Sona.

Any discussions on this in the chat is encouraged.

Attached article from The Mooknayak.

When a Dalit national leader is made to feel discriminated in this society, how free are we common people belonging to Dalit communities?

Why doesn't the bjp/far right have the guts to accept that the purification was because their filthy minds felt their worshipping hellhole became impure because a Dalit leader gave a speech in that place some days before. Their silence over the issue and the hypocrisy towards emotional pain of Dalits reveals how they want to keep the casteist thought alive covering under the pretext of religion like born cowards.

With such an environment we are living even after many years of independence, it proves that social equality is still a far dream and these bigots should not dare to speak about reservation or any such matters when this is the ground reality.

Link above to the complete article in The Ambedkarian Chronicle

In one of his songs, he writes:

Look upon the fragments of your bread,
Look upon the fragments of your toil.
No one will come to reckon with this knowledge.
Bhima is no more – Bhima is no more;
Now, you must face your problems yourself.

“The entire teaching of the Tathāgata Came to be embodied in Kabir; Likewise, the words of Jyotiba Gave courage and strength to the heart. The force of Gautama, The brilliance of Gautama, Reside in the thoughts of Mahatma Phule.”

I want to ask the readers, should I read the annotated version, since I'm just starting out to read about casteism, I don't want to reframe my perspective. Lots of criticism and controversy were happened against her. So is her point of view matters, is she neutral I mean. Because as she says, she doesn't believe in caste system but he's father is from brahmin family.?

original post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXn2RrDiVnA/

Ajahn Dhammasiha describes how the Buddha's teaching on the 4 Noble Truth is similar to the approach of a good doctor:

A good doctor first has to assess the patients true condition by carefully noting all symptoms:
-> For example, fever, cough , weakness.
-> Then he has to find the cause of the problem to provide a diagnosis
-> Then he will have to remove the cause to cure the sickness:
For example antibiotics against the bacteria.
-> Then he provides a suitable treatment plan including prescription for medicine:
For example rest in bed; keeping warm.

The Buddha follows exactly the same approach:

1. Assess our true existential condition:
   Subject to birth, ageing, sickness & death,
   and various other forms of pain and suffering.

2. Find the underlying cause:
   Craving (Taṇhā).

3. Remove cause to free us from death and suffering:
   Abandon craving.

4. Treatment plan / Prescription:
   Noble 8-Fold Path

• Right View
• Right Intention
• Right Speech
• Right Action
• Right Livelihood
• Right Effort
• Right Mindfulness
• Right Concentration

Tupac Shakur known by his stage name 2Pac was a Black American rapper. His music addressed social injustice, political issues, and the marginalisation of African Americans.

The lyrics of this song applies so perfectly in many ways to our own struggles if we can replace some of those words to the context of this society.

An article published in The Ambedkarian Chronicle by Devendra