BUDDHA
SERIAL-
A
serial named as 'Buddha' is being telecasted on Zee TV from 08/09/2013
(Sunday), regularly on every Sunday at 11.00AM. It is re-telecasted on same
channel at 7.00 PM also. This serial not based on the facts and has gravely
insulted the sentiments of Buddhists on India. Apart from presenting the life
of Buddha in mythological way, the relatives of Buddha are wrongly shown. Even
the incidents in the life of Buddha are being shown erroneously. It is crime to
depict the historical Great Persons in this way and the Producer of Serial Mr B
K Modi, Director Mr Ashutosh Govarikar, Owner of Zee TV must be booked under
IPC 295A for hurting the sentiments of Indian people.
At the time of Inauguration of
Buddha Tv Serial, Mr. Subhash Chandra said,” Ashoka asked Buddha on his concern
"what he should do with his army", Buddha suggested "If you want
to be non-violent double your army... Ref- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-w2duJr1Qg
This proves the ill knowledge of
Mr Subhash Chandra of the basic history that Buddha and Ashoka never met each
other. There is no question of any communication between them. Ashoka was born
on 304 BCE and died on 231 BCE. Buddha
was born on 563 BCE and died on 482 BCE.
The
telecasters and producers mention that they had taken many references to
produce the history / life of Buddha in a dramatized way and they claim that they do not want to hurt
the sentiments of any body. But the fact is that they (the producer and
telecaster) had produced this serial with an malicious intention to distort the
life of Buddha and also to hurt the sentiments of Buddhists.
If,
their intention is not to distort the history and life and Buddha, then they
must have taken the views of the Buddhist Organisations and Buddhist scholars
of India, mostly from the Maharashtra, because the Buddhism is revived in India
in 1956 by Dr Ambedkar and there are many Learned Buddhist Scholar in
Maharashtra. As they had not taken the views of these people and had not screened
the serial beforehand from these people, the intention of the producer is
nothing but to hurt the religious sentiments of Buddhists of India.
It
is will be clearly proved from the following illustrations that there is a
cruel and wicked attempt by the producer and telecaster of the serial to
distort the factual history of Buddha, depict him as an mythological figure and
to hurt the sentiments of the Buddhists of India.
Therefore this serial must be
stopped immediately.
Facts
about the Literature on Buddha's Life:
Buddha
is not any mythological figure. He is considered as the Most Scientific thinker
by the Greatest Albert Einstine and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Therefore his
depiction in any form has to in a true and authentic manner, and not in
mythological form.
There
are a number of books written in Sanskrit, Sinhali, Hindi and English, on the
life biography of Buddha (Siddartha Gautama). First one was written by
Ashvaghosha during 1st century in Sanskrit, which is named as 'Buddha Charita'.
Later many books were written in Sanskrit like Lalitvistara, Mahavastu, Nidankatha etc. during 400 to 500 AD In Srilanka, books named as 'Buddhavansho'
and 'Mahavansho' are written in Simhali language during 600 to 700 AD. None of
these texts give the true treatise of the biography of Buddha. Buddha's
relatives are differently mentioned in all of them except his father's,
mother's and wife's name. All of them give diverse names of the relatives of
Buddha. This has confused the people.
All
of them are mythological and not based on the scientific or natural life of
Buddha. To know the true Biography of Buddha (SIddarth Gautama) one has to rely
on 'Tri-Pitika'. Tri-Pitiaka' are supposed to be the non-controversial for the
life and treatise of Buddha. The another most authentic book may be relied on
will be the book "Buddha and His Dhamma' written by the 'Maker of
Constitution of India' and 'Greatest Indian' Dr B R Ambedkar.
Any
other references or books written on the life of Buddha will be confusing.
Therefore it is suggested that to depict the life Buddha one has to refer
either 'Tri-Pitika' or 'Buddha and His Dhamma'. It seems that the serial
'Buddha' created/produced by Mr B K Modi do not give the true treatise of Buddha's
life. In none of these books there is any mention of the mythological God Ram
and Vishnu. But the serial is depicting them now and then in the episodes of
serial.
The
details of the Episode wise objectionable depictions are as under:
Episode-1:
1. The beginning is done by showing
the mythological figures of Rama, Krishna etc and it is shown Buddha also takes
birth on this earth, in their legacy for the betterment of humankind.
Objection- There is no such
mention in Tri-Pitika. Also Buddha has denied any incarnation (Please ref- Part II—How Similarities in Terminology
Conceal Fundamental Difference, of Book IV 'Religion and Dharma' of
"BUDDHA AND HIS DHAMMA", writer Dr B R Ambedkar)
2.
It
is shown that Buddha period is later than the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Objection- In fact Govt of India
has declared that Rama and Krishna are the mythological figures. As for as the
period is concerned, it is proved from the Archeaological Reports and
excavations that Ramayana and Mahabharata are written after the period of
Buddha. These books are literature are written in Sanskrit Language, whose
script is Devnagari. It is proved that Devnagari script and Sanskrit Languages
are created from the Scripts or Pali Language. Upto the period of 100 BC, all
the stone inscriptions are in Pali scripts. Sanskrit inscriptions are found
from the period of 400 AD, i.e. after 800 years of Buddha. Therefore the
Ramayana and Mahabharata were written after after Buddha. Govt of India has
published that the Brahminical literature were created after the period of
Buddha. There is mention of Buddha in Ramayana. Puranas were started to write
from 2nd AD. Mahabharata was written after Ramayana.
Govt of India has published that
the Brahminical literature were created after the period of Buddha. There is
mention of Buddha in Ramayana. Puranas were started to write from 2nd AD.
Mahabharata was written after Ramayana. Showing their existence prior to Buddha
is untrue and misleading, which is an criminal attempt to keep the Indians in
dark.
3.
It
is shown that the first wife of king Shuddodhan is Sterile woman, incapable to
bear the child. Later a Yagna is held and she bears the child.
Objection- There is no such
mention in the Buddhist Literatures. Secondly, this is a superstitious
depiction and stops the development of scientific temper in the people.
4.
The
name of Shuddodhan's brother is shown as Durnodhan.
Objection- As per Buddhist
literature this name is no where mentioned.
5.
A
Brahmin is shown as predicting the birth of Buddha in the same Nakshtra as Rama
Objection- God Rama is a
mythological figure, which is accepted by the Supreme Court of India. Secondly,
Ramayana is written after Buddha, therefore there is intentional distortion of
historical facts. Also propagation of predictions is against the Constitutional
provision of spreading the Scientific Temper in the people.
6.
Everywhere
an existence of Brahmin is shown in the Serial
Objection- As per the Book 'Digh
Nikaya' of 'Tri Pitika' the City of King Shuddhodhana, Kapilvastu is named
after a great sage Kapila, who was predecessor of Buddha. He was atheist. His
all the followers were atheist and on his name only the city of Shuddodhana was
named as Kapilvastu, i.e. Kapila+Vastu. There is another reference in the same
book that Buddha is asked by one person, "Why the residents of Kapilvastu
do not respect the Brahmins?". This proves that the people of Kapilvastu
were atheist and did not respect the Brahmins. Therefore the existence and
guidance of Brahmins at every stage of Buddha's life or by his father is away
from the truth.
A great researcher Rhys Davis has
read all the ancient religious literature in Sanskrit and Pali. He had
translated all the Buddhist texts (including Tri-Pitakas) in English. He had analyzed
the brahminical literature and Buddhist literatures and had written books,
which are considered as most authentic source for the study of history of ancient
religions in India. In his book "Early Buddhism" he has mention that,
"there was not any Brahminical influence in the Sakya and Koliyas. There
was not any caste system. There was not any King in Kapilvastu. There was no
worship of human Gods in Kapilvastu." (Part I and II)
7.
It
is shown that Mahamaya, the mother of Siddarth Gautama was sterile and bears
the child on conducting a yagna called as "Putra Kameshti Yagna".
Objection- As per 3 and 8 above. What is
Putra Kameshti Yagna? Dr B R Ambedkar has vividly described the facts of Putra
Kameshti Yagna in his book "Riddles of Hinduism" (Part-II) and the
Vol 8, Writing and Speeches of Dr B R Ambedkar, published by the Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment of Govt of India and The Education
Department, Government of Maharashtra. Dr
Ambedkar has clarified that a Putra Kameshti Yagna was performed for the birth
of Ram and his 4 siblings, where the infertility of the father King Dashrath is
evident and the queens had to have sex with the Brahmins to bare the children. These
facts of Putra Kameshti Yagna are also depicted in the movie named as
"Eklavya", starring Boman Irani, Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan,
Saif Ali Khan etc. In this movie it is clearly depicted that the King Boman
Irani is an impotent and the queen Sharmila Tagore is taken to Kashi to have
sex with the sages to bare the children. Thus the concept of 'Putra Kameshti
Yagna' is such an ugly tradition.
In 'Tri Pitika' or in any other
famous literatures of Buddha life, there is no mention of this type of nonsense
matter. Therefore, by showing the birth of Buddha through the concept/tradition
of 'Putr Kameshti yagna' is a malicious attempt of proving Buddha's Father or
Mother as infertile, and Buddha as illegitimate son of any other person.
Therefore this is the biggest insult to Buddha in the 2500 years of Buddhism.
Episode
2:
1.
Serial
starts with chanting of brahminical Mantra in Sanskrit.
Objection- As per Objection No-2 in Episode
1. Sanskrit Language was created after 300 years of Buddha. As per the
historical evidences the grammar of Sanskrit Language was created by the Sage
Panini. He was brahmin Monk. He cultured the Pali Language and crated the Sanskrit
Language. Even the script of Sanskrit Language is Devnagari. Devnagari was
created from the Pali Script. As per Archeaological reports Sanskrit Language
and Devnagari scripts are subsequent to the Pali language.
2.
Prajapati
tells Shuddodhan that he can not meet his new born son for one month as per the
Vediki Knowledge and Brahmins.
Objection-
As per Objection No- 6 in Episode 1.
3.
Mahamaya
tells to Mahaprajapita that she is the Yashoda of Siddarth.
Objection- As per Objection No-2 in Episode
1.
4.
The
representative of Spice Production Group Mr Trehan had met to the
representatives of the Bharat Leni Sanwardhan Samitte (BLISS) and had assured
to not to show the Putra Kameshti Yagna in future accordingly, strip of not
showing the Putra Kameshti Yagna was in future was run in the beginning of this
Episode.
Objection-
But there is mention of this Yagna by the king Shuddodhana at the time
of burning of the pyre of Mahamaya. The producers and the telecasters are the
criminal minded people, they cannot adhere to their assurances and promises.
Therefore this serial must be closed and banned from telecast in future. (They
had assured on 20/09/2013 to the Morcha carried to the office of Zee TV at
Worli, Mumbai, that they will cut the unwanted clips from the future Episodes.
They shown the Episode 3 to the representatives
and the representatives asked to remove some unwanted clips, but as per their
criminal tendencies they didn't. Episode 3 was telecasted without cuts).
5.
There
is continuous involvement of Brahmins in Kapilvastu and in the palace of King
Shuddodhan.
Objection-
As per Objection No 6 in Episode 1.
6.
Shuddodhan
wants to make Siddarth as Emperor.
Objection- As per historical evidences Sakya
state of Kapilvastu was not a sovereign kingdom or state, it was under the
paramountacy of the Kosala Kingdom. The Maker of Constitution and Greatest
Indian Dr B R Ambedkar has mention in his book "Buddha and His
Dhamma" ("::BOOK I::" SIDDHARTH GAUTAMA—HOW A
BODHISATTA BECAME THE BUDDHA, PART I : FROM BIRTH TO PARIVRAJA) that "
The result of this paramountcy was that the Sakya State could not exercise
certain sovereign powers without the sanction of the King of Kosala". In this part itself Dr Ambedkar has mentioned
that Kapilvastu was a dependant state and Sakyas used to rule their state in
turn i.e. there was not a system of becoming King from a single family.
Therefore the proclamation of Shuddodhan that he wants Siddartha to become an
Emperor is distortion of History.
Episode
3:
Major Objection: As per Objection No 2 in Episode
2. The producer and the telecasters had assured on 20/09/2013 to the Morcha
carried to the office of Zee TV at Worli, Mumbai, that they will cut the
unwanted clips from the future Episodes. They shown the Episode 3 to the
representatives and the representatives asked to remove some unwanted clips,
but as per their criminal tendencies they didn't. Episode 3 was telecasted
without cuts).
1. Mention of birth of Siddartha due
to yagna.
Objection- This is untrue and superstitious.
Such type of portrayal kills the scientific temper in the minds of the people. The
producer and telecasters did not followed their assurance of not mentioning the
yagna.
2.
Chanting
of Brahmin Mantras in Sanskrit.
Objection- As per Objection No 2 of Episode
1.
3. Mention of Mahabharata by King
Shuddodhan.
Objections- As per Objection No 2 of Episode
1.
4. Illogical character of
Shuddodhan.
Objection- Mangala tries to sexually entice Shuddodhan, where he
admonishes her with the sermons of moral conduct. At another instance he is
shown as watching female dances lecherously in his courtroom. This type of
depiction is illogical. Shuddodhan was moral, his watching of dancing women
libidinously is unacceptable.
5.
Declaration
of war on Magadh and Kosal Kingdom by Shuddodhan
Objection- As per Objection No 6 of Episode
2.
6. Depiction of Shuddodhan as a
cruel King.
Objection- The whole serial tries to show
the King Shuddohana as a cruel king and not abiding to rules of Gana.
Shuddodhanas state was a Ganrajya. There was not Monarchy as per Dr B R
Ambedkar in his book "Buddha and his Dhamma". The Kings in such state
where the Kings are changed regular basis can not be a unruly and behave in an
autocratic way. The presentation of expelling the villagers by beating with
sticks and total absence of any humanity is
irrational and unacceptable. It is an untrue history. As per Dr B R
Ambedkar's book the King of the Kapilvastu were also used to plow their farm
themselves physically. Only they had the bigger farm compared to others. There
can not be a feeling of pride and arrogance in the Kings of Shakya Clan. Whole depiction
is ugly, untrue and illogical.
7. Irrelevant blaming to Siddartha
for the death of his mother Mahamaya:
Objection- This is highly irrelevant and
objectionable statement.
8.
Wrong
depiction of Mother of Devdatta
Objection- As per "Buddha and His
Dhamma" and Tri-Pitika, Devdatta is the son of Amita, the sister of Shuddodhana.
But in this serial Devdatta is shown as the son of one (unknown character in
Buddha history) Dronadanraja and Mangala. These characters are absent in
Tri-Pitika and "Buddha and His Dhamma". Such type of mythological
depiction distorts the History.
9.
Showing
the Statue of Vishnu in the palace of Shuddodhan
Objection- As
per Objection No 2 in Episode 1.
10.
Mention
of Bharat Varsh by Shuddodhan
Objection- Bharat
Varsh or Bharat name/word to the kingdom of ancient India is no where mentioned
in Tri-Pitaka and "Buddha and His Dhamma". As per the Archealogical
findings this nation was called as Jambu Dwipa. As per the historical finding
the introduction of word Bharata is much later. Indian was known as Jambudwipa
in ancient period, then it was known as Hindustan in period of Mugal Rule, then
it was known as India in the Rule of Britishers. India was never called as
Bharat till the framing of Constitution. The Maker of Constitution gave the
name "Bharat" to this Nation, by mentioning "India means Bharat"
in the Part-I of Constitution.
11.
Superstitious
depiction of tears from the eyes of Siddarth
Objection- This is totally illogical and harmful for the
Nation as it hampers the development of scientific temper. This type of presentation
spreads superstition in the people. This is against the Article 51 A of
Constitution, which deals for the Fundamental Duties of the Citizen.
Episode
4:
1.
Worship
of Idol of Rama by Little Siddarth;
Objection- There was no idol worship in
Buddha's period. The Maker of Constitution of India and the Greatest Indian has
categorically denied the existence of idol worship in the period of Buddha. Dr
Ambedkar had researched out the history of Rama, Krishna, Ramayana, Mahabhabharta,
Vedas, Upnishads, Puranas etc on the basis of Brahminical and Buddhist
Literature, which is compiled by the Govt of India as "Riddles of
Hinduism". His research and findings are published the Ministry of Social
Justice of Govt of India in form of "Writing and Speeches" of Dr
Ambedkar. Further the Archeaological findings also prove that there was no
temple in the period of Buddha.
Indian Buddhists have embraced
Buddhism on 14/10/1956 at Nagpur along with the 22 Pledges given by Dr B R
Ambedakr. These Pledges were devised by him on the basis of lifelong research
work. He had arrived to conclusion that without following these pledges nobody
can be a Buddhist. To become a Buddhist,
one has to follow these 22 Pledges. These 22 Pledges had become the breath to
the Buddhists. 1st Pledge of it, is that 'I will not worship and do not believe
in Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh'. 2nd Pledge is that "I will not worship and do
not believe in Rama and Krishna". Therefore imbibing Rama, Krishna, Vishnu
in Buddhism in any form, is a dire insult to Dr B R Ambedkar and the Buddhists.
The followers of Ambedkar cannot tolerate this in any circumstances.
The history of Buddha has to be based
on the Tri-Pitikas, which are the only authentic books of Buddhism. As per
Tri-Pitika there is no temple and worshipping of Gods or worshipping of Rama during
the period of Buddha. Therefore showing the worship of Rama, by Siddartha in
this Episode is grave deviation from the truth and is cruel mischief of
Brahminical people to defame Buddha.
2.
Based
on the research of Dr Ambedkar, the followers of Dr Ambedkar know that there is
always a mischief played by the Brahminical people to depict Buddha as incarnation
of Vishnu (Dashavatara). Govt of India has banned such movies and depictions in
the Past, based on this research of the Maker of the Constitution of India.
3.
Yashodhara
(wife of Siddarth) is shown as daughter of Amita (sister of Siddartha's father)
Objection-
True reference need to be taken from the Tri-Pitaka. Yashodhara was not
the daughter of Amita. But the daughter of Pamita, another younger sister of
Shuddodhana. Please refer the Book "Old Path, White Clouds", P No-32,
by Thich Nhat Han. The story writer of the serial Mr Gajra Kotari himself had
said that this book is the complete book on Buddha (Refer. Times of India,
Dated 19/09/2013).
4.
A
huge statue of Vishnu in sleeping posture is shown in the house of Siddartha
Objection- As
per Objection No 2 in Episode 1. This is the criminal violation of history.
5.
Chanting
of OM by Little Siddartha:
Objection-
Chanting of OM is a brahminical tradition. It is no where found in the
Buddhism. Buddhists hate the chanting of OM. It is an intentional crime on the
part of the producer and telecasters to hurt the Buddhists.
6.
Shuddodhan
(father of Siddartha) says that he wants Siddartha to be an Emperor of Bharat
Objection-
As per Objection No 10 of Episode 3.
Wrong depictions in serial has
invoked the Indian Buddhists and they had held demonstrations in various cities
of India. In Mumbai a violent morcha was lead to the office of Zee TV on
20/09/2013, they might have broken the office of Zee TV.
Therefore this serial from its
1st episode has impaired the religious sentiments of Indian Buddhists and also
had violated the historical facts. This type of wrong depictions makes the
Indian National fools. Wrong history will be imbibed in the memory of the
people and kids of India. Future generation of India will know only this wrong
history.
Therefore,
it is earnestly requested to your esteemed authority to ban this serial totally
and stop its further telecast immediately, for maintaining peace and harmony in
the society.
It
is felt by the Buddhist Scholar and Learned people of India that Buddha was not
a mythological figure, but an exceptional phenomenon in the history of the
humankind, who had an expression of Love, Benevolence and Compassion always on
his face. This type of expression can not be possible for any actor . The
followers of Buddha have an unparallel respect for him. Showing of Buddha's face
has been avoided in the past, in visual media. In the past, Buddha was shown
only in the form of images or shadows. Buddha's face can be portrayed in
painting but bringing it on the face of a real human person is next to
impossible. Therefore in any visual medias except paintings, showing of
Buddha's face need to be prohibited.
