God as Political Philosopher
Buddha’s Challenge to Brahminism
- Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd - Retired, Director, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad
January 2019 | 260 pages | SAGE Publications Pvt. Ltd
In this provocative and scholarly book, Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd propounds a view of Gautama Buddha as India’s first social revolutionary. Buddha did his best to give the principles of tribal democracy and egalitarianism a sanctuary in his own sangha. In so doing, he foreshadowed modern India’s experiment with parliamentary democracy. Critical of the caste system, Buddha inducted low caste members into the sangha and made them his trusted advisers. He gave women an honoured place in the sangha. Dissent was indeed permitted, and even Buddha was not above the law.
Pre-dating Socrates and Plato by some years, Buddha also foreshadowed key elements of their philosophy.
Pre-dating Socrates and Plato by some years, Buddha also foreshadowed key elements of their philosophy.
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Scholars on Buddha and Buddhism
Pre-Buddhist Society
Gautama Buddha’s Life and Philosophy
The State and Its Origins
Justice, Democracy and Administration
Property, Rights and Duties
Class and Caste
Women
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
This book . . . shows that Buddhist theorizing is as powerful as that of the ancient Greek thinkers, and fulfils the dream of Ambedkar that Buddha should become the basis of our study of the ancient state, rights, property and justice.
Political Scientist
Kancha Ilaiah’s work continues the legacy of Iyothee Thass, Rahul Sankirtayana and Ambedkar of interpreting Buddha for our times.
Feminist Historian and Filmmaker