The beautiful Buddhist-Dalit wedding in Made in Heaven 2 gives a glimpse of Navayana Buddhism in India

The recent release of the second season of Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti's series, Made in Heaven Season 2 on Prime Video has brought to the forefront discussions about its portrayal of diverse weddings, particularly the episode that highlights a Navayana Buddhist wedding.

The fifth episode stands out when Radhika Apte's character, Dr Pallavi Menke, challenges the conventions of her upper-caste Punjabi groom's family. Pallavi's unwavering insistence on her caste identity and aspiration for equality results in a wedding that defies Sanskritised traditional norms.

https://t.co/hsE6iW1qZX pic.twitter.com/ubtGxsTCth

— Neeraj Ghaywan (@ghaywan) August 14, 2023

Directed by Masaan fame Neeraj Ghaywan, who himself belongs to a marginalised community, the episode is being hailed as the best episode of the season for that particular wedding scene.

Excerpt from Made in Heaven season 2 episode 5 It was amazing I loved the way they showed a Buddhist wedding top-notch 😍 pic.twitter.com/w3BoX8zWrr

— d!pam (@dipam75100455) August 11, 2023

Towards the end of the episode, as Pallavi makes her way to the mandap, her path involves crossing a pool of water. This scene holds a profound significance, resonating with the touching narrative of Dalits being historically excluded from accessing village wells and waterbodies, a message that has stirred the feelings of many.

In the portrayal, the wedding rituals were conducted in the presence of Buddhist monks in the premises of a beautiful mutt, with portraits of Buddha and the iconic Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, highlighting the issue and giving us a chance to talk about the Navayana Dalit movement, pioneered by Ambedkar himself.

ALSO READ: India's Great Dharma Chakra: What Bodh Gaya's Buddhist relics and Ashokan edicts taught me about us today

What is Navayana Buddhism?

• Navayana Buddhism, also known as Neo-Buddhism or Ambedkarite Buddhism, is a modern reinterpretation of Buddhism founded by BR Ambedkar, the visionary jurist, social reformer, scholar and above all the architect of the Indian Constitution. Nava means new and yana means a vehicle or a medium.
• Ambedkar's journey towards Navayana Buddhism was driven by his quest to escape the oppressive caste system, which led him to meticulously study and assess various religions.
• Although Ambedkar never named it Navayana, much like the Jeasus never called it Christianity or Guru Nanak never knew that his ideas and principles would go on to take the shape of a religion.

#History 14 October 1956 Ambedkar was launched Dalit-Buddhist movement. when nearly half a million Dalits formerly untouchables joined him & converted to Navayana Buddhism. It rejected Hinduism, challenged the caste system in India and promoted the rights of the Dalit community. pic.twitter.com/fLweoqQOYv

— The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) October 14, 2020

• The Ambedkarite perspective, eliminated the principles of karma and reincarnation, the customary stress of renouncing from the world, the act of contemplation, and the attainment of enlightenment, which for a while attracted traction, but faded out soon after Dr Ambedkar's death.
• The ideas of the presence of a realm beyond empirical reality and the Four Noble Truths were also omitted.

Why was the Navayana needed?

• Ambedkar's ultimate conversion to Buddhism just seven weeks before his death at Nagpur’s Deekshabhoomi, along with more than five lakh followers paved the way for the creation of Navayana Buddhism, a movement that reinterprets traditional Buddhist teachings and the preexisting schools of thought namely Mahayana and the Vajrayana, through a lens of social equality, class struggle, and contemporary relevance.
• According to prevalent schools of thought within Buddhism and Brahmanism in the 19th and 20th centuries, dharma was a less complex, individualistic approach that was based on the nature of an individual or an object.
• Dr Ambedkar's teachings, on the other hand, emphasised achieving common goals through collective actions, based on the change in the evolving socio-politico-economic construct.

• Navayana Buddhism challenges traditional notions by redefining fundamental doctrines and concepts. Dr Ambedkar's groundbreaking re-evaluation of the varna system led to the formulation of unique principles emphasising social justice, individual choice, and empowerment of the have-nots.
• The ideals of social justice and empowerment, on which Neo Buddhism is based, as a prerequisite to building an egalitarian society find extensive mention in his book "The Buddha and His Dhamma".

ALSO READ: Is Buddha an avatar of Vishnu?

The Made in Heaven 2 episode portrays the impact of these principles on contemporary relationships, offering a powerful narrative that resonates with individuals navigating intercaste/interreligious marriages and societal prejudices.

Navayana Buddhism in India, today

• Ambedkarite Buddhists, although a small community, have continued to hold significance within India's social and religious landscape. It remains a distinct movement that draws followers primarily from marginalised Dalit communities.
• Navayana Buddhism has had a profound impact on the socio-cultural landscape of India by providing a sense of community and empowerment for those who have faced historical and systemic oppression as its emphasis on education, dignity, and equality has led to social and political mobilisation among Dalits and marginalised communities.
• Navayana Buddhism has played a role in shaping political discourse in India under Kanshi Ram in Punjab, Mayawati and Chandrashekhar Azad in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, Ambedkar's home and the home to around 80% of Navayana Buddhists in India.
• Thus, Ambedkarite Buddhism was not just a religious and spiritual movement, but a means to attain holistic equality enshrined in Article 14 of the Indian Constitution.

3 days ago we celebrated 65th anniversary of Dr Ambedkar & Savitha Madam’s embracing of Navayana Buddhism w/ Karnataka Bouddha Samaja in B’luru

Babasaheb chose Ashoka Vijayadashami as transformation day to commemorate Mauryan King Ashoka’s change of heart to Buddhism 2k yrs back pic.twitter.com/CkgX0yVjLO

— Chetan Kumar Ahimsa / ಚೇತನ್ ಅಹಿಂಸಾ (@ChetanAhimsa) October 17, 2021

Celebrating identity and equality

Thus, the portrayal of the neo-Buddhist wedding in Made in Heaven 2 added a crucial layer to the representation and social justice discourse. By spotlighting the challenge of birth-based discrimination, the episode celebrated the resilience of marginalised communities and their journey towards empowerment.

As media continues to play a role in shaping perceptions and breaking stereotypes, this episode serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling in advocating for a more inclusive and just society.

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The deep-rooted prejudices that the characters encounter echo the real-world obstacles that continue to hinder social uplift. However, the episode also serves as a source of inspiration, encouraging individuals to question societal norms and advocate for change.