ABSTRACT
It is often said that the 'caste system' is closely linked to Indian society and the life world of Indians. Dalits (also known as 'untouchables') have always been politically, economically, socially, culturally and religiously excluded from mainstream society in India because the caste system has always placed them on the bottom rung of society. This chapter discusses one of these struggles, or rather movements, which has centred on conversion to Buddhism. Since Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar's great conversion in 1956, numerous Dalits have converted to Buddhism in order to liberate themselves from the 'unequal Hindu society' and have joined the more 'equal Buddhist society'. The chapter focuses on one group of these 'converted Buddhists', the Buddhist-Dalits living in contemporary Western Uttar Pradesh. It also focuses on the way Buddhist-Dalits re-interpret the 'past' for negotiating their identity. The chapter examines how Buddhist-Dalits negotiate between 'caste' and their own identity as Buddhists. It analyses their religious practices and narratives.
