Ahimsak’s Candid Q&A

21/07/2025

21/07/2025

The Art of Conversion in Mizoram:

Is It Really Freedom of Religion When Survival Forces the Choice?

In Mizoram, a silent yet deeply concerning transformation is taking place, the steady decline of the Buddhist population, particularly among the Chakma community. Every year, more families are converting to Christianity. On the surface, it may appear as an act of free will, but the truth beneath reveals a painful reality rooted in deprivation, exclusion, and desperation.

Yes, we belong to one of the most marginalized sections of society. Our communities have long been neglected when it comes to access to quality education, medical facilities, clean water, housing, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The deprivation is not just economic but also systemic. In such a scenario, faith becomes secondary to survival. People are not converting out of deep theological conviction but simply to escape poverty, neglect, and social isolation.

A Buddhist monk will never go door to door seeking converts. They will not promise material aid in exchange for religious allegiance. Buddhism is about inner transformation, mindfulness, and liberation through understanding, not a numbers game. It does not come with incentives, nor does it compete with others in material outreach. But in today’s world, where communities are struggling to make ends meet, the absence of institutional support makes Buddhism vulnerable, especially in regions where Christians have built strong social infrastructure.

The Christian community in Mizoram has done what any strong institution should do, build schools, colleges, hospitals, and workplaces. These institutions serve both humanitarian and community purposes. And while no one is directly forced to convert, there is a very clear, undeniable pattern: if you convert, doors open. You gain easier access to hospitals, scholarships, hostel accommodations, jobs, and sometimes even social protection. These are life saving opportunities for poor families, and when you're drowning, even a conditional lifeline seems better than none.

So, let’s be honest the pressure to convert is real, even if it is not violent. It comes silently, wrapped in the form of support, opportunity, and dignity. No one puts a gun to your head, but hunger, sickness, lack of schooling, and hopelessness do. We are not victims of forced conversion, but victims of circumstances where our own systems have failed to protect us, uplift us, and hold us together.

In a truly democratic and equal society, religion should be a matter of personal belief not a strategy for survival. The Indian Constitution guarantees us the Right to Freedom of Religion, but how meaningful is that right if you're only free to choose between suffering and survival?

Our concern is not about any particular religion but about how poverty is weaponized intentionally or unintentionally to shift religious identity. The issue isn't about Christianity or Buddhism, it's about equity. When one community has hospitals and the other has none, conversions will continue not because one faith is superior, but because one system supports while the other remains absent.

We are not against development, nor do we oppose the services provided by any religious group. But it is time we ask: Where are the Buddhist institutions that support the poor, the sick, the uneducated among us? Where are the schools, hostels for our youth? If we continue to ignore this and believe that people will remain loyal to their faith even while starving, we are fooling ourselves.

To preserve our spiritual identity, we must first meet the basic needs of our people. Our monks, leaders, and organizations need to wake up. Spiritual teachings are powerful, but compassion must be backed by action food, education, and health. If we do not invest in our own communities, someone else will, and with that investment, they will naturally gain followers.

This is not a blame game. It is a wake up call. Either we build and uplift, or we continue to watch our numbers fade and our identity dissolve not by force, but by neglect.

Let’s ensure our people don't have to choose between faith and survival.

Disclaimer: This article is not a blame game of conversation but a reality to understand beneath the surface.

20/07/2025

I wholeheartedly thank all the generous donors who contributed to the family that lost both a mother and her newborn child shortly after delivery.

We received a total of ₹27,009. From this amount, I have repaid the sum I borrowed from a friend to arrange an emergency ambulance at night.

An amount of ₹10,000 was paid to Er. Nibir Chakma, General Secretary of CMCSU. Special thanks to him for providing the funds at a critical time, the community salutes you, brother.

The remaining balance of ₹17,009 will be handed over to the bereaved family for the Punya Dhana (7-day ceremony/ritual).

Thank you so much, everyone. 💝🙏
Central Mizoram Chakma Students' Union
Central Young Chakma Association
Chakma Mahila Samiti Mizoram

20/07/2025

Central Mizoram Chakma Students' Union Central Young Chakma Association Chakma Mahila Samiti Mizoram

A Humble Request for SupportI kindly appeal to all generous individuals to come forward and support a family in urgent need.Last night, a family from Silsury village in Mamit district arrived in Aizawl for the delivery of their child. Tragically, the newborn passed away shortly after birth.

💔😖 Even more heartbreaking, the mother also passed away soon after delivering the baby.A baby who spent 9 months in the womb, longing to witness the beauty of this world, could not make it. And a mother who gave everything for her child also couldn’t survive.

The family, already struggling financially, is now unable to bear the costs of the coffin and ambulance. Last night, we managed to collect a small amount, but it wasn’t even enough for the coffin. We had to borrow money for the ambulance to take them back home for their final journey.

A generous soul stepped forward and covered the ambulance fee of ₹12,500, asking us to return only ₹8,000, as he kindly donated the remaining ₹4,500. It’s people like him who make our society a better place.

❤️I humbly request everyone to donate any amount, as per your capacity, to help us repay the borrowed money and continue supporting people in emergencies like this.

GPay Number: 6002332280
Name: Ahimsak Chakma
Or 9531202307 TORBISH CHAKMA

Thank you so much for your support and generosity. ❤️🙏May all living beings be happy.

18/07/2025

Don't believe in anything that comes on screen. It's very easy to fool anyone but difficult to come up when you get fooled.

18/07/2025

Anathapindika’s Attainment of Sotapanna: Entering the First Stage of Enlightenment

Anathapindika, a rich merchant from Savatthi (Shravasti), had come to Rajgir to visit his in-laws. When he heard that the Buddha had been invited for lunch at his brother-in-law's house the next day, he became very eager to meet the Buddha. The next day, before dawn he started walking towards the woods, on the outskirts of the town, where the Buddha was staying.

The Buddha addressed him by his name, 'Come, Sudatta!'

Anathapindika was delighted that the Buddha called out to him by his name. The Buddha gave a Dhamma discourse which put his mind at ease making him happy and peaceful. Due to his past merits, while hearing the sermon, the knowledge of impermanence arose within him and he attained the first stage of enlightenment (sotāpanna). Extremely gladdened, he invited the Buddha for a meal the next day.

The next day after the meal, the Buddha gave a sermon following which Anathapindika requested him, Venerable sir, please spend the next monsoon in Savatthi along with the bhikkhu Sangha.

The Buddha replied, 'O householder, the Buddha likes to dwell in solitude.'

Anathapindika said, 'I have understood, Lord; I have understood, Blessed One.'

As soon as he reached Savatthi, he started searching for a suitable place for the residence of the Buddha-a site neither too far from the city nor too close, easy for people to reach, not too crowded in the day or noisy in the night, and conducive for meditation.

Finally, he came across Prince Jeta's Park, which seemed to be ideal. He went to the Prince to buy it from him. The Prince did not want to sell his garden. To avoid sale, the Prince said that the entire land of the park had to be covered with gold coins as a price for the land.

Anathapindika agreed to the Prince and immediately fixed the deal. The land where the Buddha would teach Dhamma was indeed invaluable. Anathapindika brought carts filled with gold coins and the coins were spread on the land of the park.

On seeing this, the Prince was startled. One part of the land was yet to be covered by coins. Anathapindika instructed more coins to be brought but the Prince took Anathapindika's hand in his own hand and said, 'Enough, householder, do not cover this uncovered part with gold. This will be my donation.'

Anathapindika accepted the Prince's offer. He constructed residences, halls, water boilers, storehouses, lavatories, open and close walking areas, water tanks, bathrooms and tents, which would enable thousands to learn the Dhamma under the guidance of the Buddha. The Buddha's devoted and leading lay disciples created a splendid and unparalleled record in the history of charity. The Buddha acknowledged him as 'the foremost' (Agga) among those who give donations.

17/07/2025

When we talk about Chakma Buddhism, can we truly call ourselves Buddhists?

How deeply do we actually believe in Buddhism or follow the path shown by the Buddha? We are born into Chakma families and identify as Buddhists by birth but have we ever truly tried to understand the philosophy of Buddhism? Why, then, do practices like animal sacrifice still exist among us?

Even some monks seem to have misunderstood the Buddha’s teachings. A monk who has not overcome so called "Trishna", the kama-trishna, bhava-trishna and vibhava-trishna which also includes (ego, greed, hatred, ignorance, and craving) is not walking the path of the Buddha, he is merely a motivational speaker dressed in robes.

The Buddha talks about "Maya and Karuna". Wisdom (through understanding Maya) and compassion (through Karuna), one can progress on the path to enlightenment and liberation from suffering.

The Chakma people may observe Buddhist rituals and cultural traditions, but only 10 to 15% genuinely follow the path of Dhamma.

Let us remember the role of an Arahat like Venerable Ananda, whose deep devotion helped preserve the Buddha’s teachings. His participation in the First Buddhist Council around 483 BCE ensured that future generations would have access to the Dhamma and the legacy of the Enlightened One.

Ananda was the first cousin of the Buddha. Both were born into the royal Sakya clan. His name Ananda means "bliss" or "delight," and he was born on the same day that the Buddha attained enlightenment.

Ananda as Buddha's Attendant :
Twenty years after the Buddha’s enlightenment, Ananda became his personal attendant (upatthaka in Pali). He served in this role for 25 years, until the Buddha's Mahaparinibbana.

Unlike others, Ananda volunteered to serve the Buddha and placed eight conditions, such as not being required to fetch food or robes, so that his service wouldn’t be burdensome to others.

Ananda had an exceptional memory and is called the "Guardian of the Dhamma" (Dhamma bhandagarika).

He memorized nearly all of the Buddha’s discourses (Suttas) and could recite them word-for-word. This was crucial in an oral tradition.

He famously began his recitations with: "Evam me sutam" (Thus have I heard).

Ananda's Role in the First Buddhist Council:
After the Buddha's Mahaparinibbana, the First Buddhist Council was convened at Rajagaha (Rajgir) under the leadership of Mahakassapa Thera.

Ananda recited the Sutta Pitaka, while Upali recited the Vinaya Pitaka (disciplinary code). Though initially not an Arahant, Ananda attained enlightenment the hours before the Council and participated fully.

Ananda often asked empathetic, accessible questions that helped lay followers and monastics alike understand complex teachings. His gentleness, compassion, and care for the Buddha added a human dimension to the Dhamma. He would remind the Buddha to explain teachings clearly and inclusively (e.g., for women, lay people).

One of Ananda’s most compassionate acts was his appeal to the Buddha to allow the ordination of women. Despite initial reluctance, the Buddha granted permission, leading to the creation of the Bhikkhuni Sangha (order of nuns), primarily due to Ananda’s persistence.

Ananda was deeply attached to the Buddha and wept at his death. The Mahaparinibbana Sutta shows Ananda expressing deep grief, highlighting the emotional bond between the disciple and the teacher.

His devotion, service, and preservation of the teachings helped shape early Buddhism.
He is considered a symbol of faith, learning, and memory.

The Buddha and Ananda relationship is more than just teacher and disciple. It is one of compassion, service, learning, and emotional connection. Ananda’s contributions to Buddhism are indispensable without him, much of the Buddha’s teachings might have been lost.

His role in monastic inclusivity and doctrinal preservation remains unmatched.
He was not just a disciple, but a bridge between the Buddha and the world.

17/07/2025

Those people who did this to Africans now lecturing Russia about Human Right? 😂

By the way do you know who killed 30 million Africans ?

Recently, POTUS announced a statement of sending american made weapons to Ukraine through NATO and is escalating World War III.

17/07/2025

Bangladeshi Islamist forces have consistently targeted Hindu and Buddhist minorities with acts of violence and exclusion. After independence, they denied recognition to the indigenous peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. With a constitution that neglects tribal rights,
what justice can truly be expected under such an ideology?

16/07/2025

Chakma Educated Youths nowadays:
CADC't sabori goribar free and fair recruitment rules bassei tem na Rajnigandha Factory ba Company ham gorimboi.......

16/07/2025

| Satyajit Ray's ancestral home being demolished in Mymensingh

In Bangladesh, the ancestral home of eminent filmmaker in city, formerly used as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy, is being demolished to make way for a new semi-concrete structure.

Eminent litterateur Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury was the father of celebrated poet Sukumar Ray and grandfather of the filmmaker Satyajit Ray, who used to live in the house.

The Dr. Muhammad Yunus Government is trying its best to demolish every roots of Hindu and other religious people including the Buddhists in CHT.

16/07/2025

NITIN GADKARI once said : "Society needs people who file petitions against Govt in court"

The people in CADC have never reached the court against the local government which violates the Constitution of India and are not capable for good governance and transparency.

Rampant practice of Back-Door appointments to nepo kids. Even after getting information on illegal appointments and is total violations of equal rights to the citizens of the Autonomous Council, the people/general public and students remain silent without raising any voice against the discrimination. The NGOs take action or submit a memorandum on special occasions but have got no results since many years.