Atul Writes

The Peace Walk of Buddhist Monks in the United States: A Message of Compassion in a Time of Conflict Today’s world is increasingly marked by violence, war, terrorism, racial discrimination, and growing social tensions. In a powerful country like the United States, militarization, war strategies, and internal social divisions influence not only national policy but also the everyday lives of ordinary citizens. In such a complex environment, the peace walk undertaken by Buddhist monks carries deep moral, spiritual, and global significance. This peace walk is not simply a symbolic act. It represents a living message of non-violence and compassion in a time when societies across the world are searching for alternative paths to conflict resolution. The Foundations of the Buddhist Message of Peace Buddhist philosophy is rooted in universal human values such as: non-violence compassion loving-kindness self-discipline ethical living Central to these teachings is the Noble Eightfold Path, which ...

Image credit: Public domain / Educational use Savitribai Phule. (3 january 1831 - 10 march 1897) From the discovery of agriculture to the emergence of human civilization, we see a woman at the center of everything. According to the natural order, from primitive times, the institutions of family and society were matriarchal in nature. In a matriarchal system, there was no place for exploitation; love, compassion, and nurturing care were its core values. However, over time, due to male ego, this matriarchal system was dismantled and replaced by a patriarchal structure. From that point onward, the family institution—and consequently society itself—began to deteriorate. The extreme outcome of this system was the reduction of women to mere objects of consumption. This mindset became deeply ingrained. In India, there was even the cruel practice of sati, where a woman was forced to die along with her deceased husband. To liberate women from these oppressive chains and mental slavery, a woman ...

New Liberal (Neo-liberal) Capitalism and Its Impact on Society and the Economy In the latter half of the 20th century, major transformations reshaped the global economic system. These changes came to be known as New Liberal (Neo-liberal) Capitalism, an economic approach that emphasized market freedom, private enterprise, and global economic integration. After the 1980s, this economic ideology was widely adopted in the United States, many countries in Europe, and several developing nations. In India, the economic reforms introduced in 1991 through the policies of liberalization, privatization, and globalization significantly strengthened the influence of this system. These reforms changed not only economic structures but also social life, employment patterns, and environmental priorities. The Core Idea of Neo-liberal Capitalism The central principle of neo-liberal capitalism is reducing the direct role of the state in economic activities and increasing the importance of market forces. G...

If one asks, “Who is the greatest person who influenced the entire world through the path of righteousness and whose impact remains eternal across ages?”—in my view, the indisputable answer is Buddha. Even after more than two and a half millennia, the universal relevance of Lord Buddha and his philosophy has not diminished. The Tathagata, an unparalleled debater of his time, engaged in dialectical discussions with contemporary thinkers and conversed directly with the common masses, thereby spreading the noble Dhamma—the path of liberation from suffering. After Buddha’s Parinirvana, the Dhamma spread rapidly across the world. Many rulers of that era adopted and actively supported the Dhamma. Since Buddha himself did not write any scripture, systematic interpretation and codification of his teachings became necessary. Therefore, under the patronage of rulers like Ajatshatru, Kalashoka, Ashoka, and Kanishka, Buddhist Councils were organized from time to time. Later, the kings of Myanmar a...

Electoral Transparency, Public Trust, and the Changing Political Mood in India In recent years, serious questions have been raised in public discussions regarding the voting process in elections to the Lok Sabha and various State Legislative Assemblies in India. Opposition parties and civil society groups have expressed concerns about issues ranging from the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to the transparency of voter lists and vote-counting procedures. These concerns highlight the importance of maintaining public confidence in democratic institutions, especially in a country where elections play a central role in shaping governance. Questions Around the Role of the Election Commission The Election Commission of India is one of the most important constitutional institutions responsible for ensuring free and fair elections. In recent public meetings and press interactions, leaders of the Indian National Congress and other opposition parties have raised concerns about al...

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s The Buddha and His Dhamma : A Vision of Moral Awakening and Social Transformation The Buddha and His Dhamma by B. R. Ambedkar is not merely a religious text but a profound work of philosophy, humanity, and social reform. Published posthumously in 1957, this remarkable book presents a modern and analytical interpretation of the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha. Through this work, Dr. Ambedkar did not simply narrate the story of Buddha’s life; he offered a new interpretation of the path toward human liberation, ethical living, and social equality. This book occupies a unique place in modern Indian intellectual history because it connects spirituality with rational thought and social justice. Understanding Buddha as a Social Thinker The book begins with the journey of Prince Siddhartha — his renunciation of royal comfort, his search for the causes of human suffering, his meditation practices, and finally his enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. However, Dr. Ambedka...

The Indus Civilization and the Buddha: Exploring a Possible Cultural Continu­ity in Ancient India Indus Valley Civilization is considered one of the most ancient and sophisticated urban civilizations in world history. Flourishing nearly five thousand years ago, this civilization laid the foundations of early urban culture in the Indian subcontinent. Cities such as Mohenjo-daro , Harappa , Lothal , and Dholavira stand as remarkable examples of its planning, organization, and cultural richness. Some scholars and thinkers have suggested that certain social and ethical values later visible during the time of Gautama Buddha may reflect deeper cultural traditions that existed in earlier Indian civilization. While direct historical continuity cannot be firmly established, the similarities between these traditions remain intellectually interesting and worthy of reflection. A Peaceful and Organized Urban Civilization Archaeological evidence suggests that the Indus Civilization was highly org...