The Buddha and Marx: Two paths to similar goals

Two great personalities on earth — the Buddha and Karl Marx — propagated their ideals in different fields of thought in different times. The Buddha, born in 563 B.C., is perceived to be the founder of a new religion whereas Karl Marx, who was born in 1818 A.D., is known for his philosophical ideas in relation to politics and economics.

- BY PATRANGA BASU

Another eminent personality Dr B R Ambedkar explored comparison of the ideas of these two personalities in his treatise ‘Buddha or Karl Marx’ published in 1987. Earlier he delivered a historic speech on this subject on 20 November 1956 at the 4th World Buddhist Conference held at Kathmandu, Nepal. Ambedkar wrote: “A comparison between Karl Marx and Buddha may be regarded as a joke.

There need be no surprise in this.” In his essay, he attempted to investigate the failings of Indian society, particularly in regard to caste discrimination, by comparing the teachings of the Buddha and Marx. He commented, “Nonetheless a comparison between the two is attractive and instructive” and offered the proposition that “if the Marxists keep back their prejudices and study the Buddha and understand what he stood for I feel sure that they will change their attitude.” Ambedkar remarked that the Buddha is generally associated with the doctrine of Ahimsa. He said the creeds of the Buddha, as laid down in the Tripitaka, are that ‘religion is necessary for a society and religion must relate to facts of life and not to theories and speculations about God or Soul or Heaven or Earth’. “Nothing is infallible. Nothing is binding forever. Everything is subject to inquiry and examination . Everything is impermanent.”