List of converts to Buddhism from Hinduism

This is a list of notable converts to Buddhism from Hinduism.

• B. R. Ambedkar (1891–1956), converted from Hinduism, an early leader of the Dalit Buddhist movement.^[1]
• Ashoka the Great (277–232 BCE), converted from Hinduism, Indian emperor and early convert to Buddhism.^[2][3]
• Aśvaghoṣa (?80–?150 CE), Indian Buddhist figure, philosopher- poet
• Balachandran Chullikkadu (born 1957), Malayalam language poet from Kerala^[4]
• Jagdish Kashyap (1908–1976), Buddhist monk^[5]
• Laxman Mane (born 1949), Dalit author and social worker.^[6]
• Udit Raj (born 1958), Prominent Indian social activist and Buddhist polemicist^[7]
• Rahul Sankrityayan (1893–1963), Hindi author and translator^[5]
• Iyothee Thass (1845–1914), Siddha practitioner and leader of the Dravidian movement^[8]
• Lenin Raghuvanshi (born 1970) born in upper Hindu claste, activist, one of the founding members of People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)^[9]

References

1. Columbia University
2. "Bodhisattva that the Brahman," see Chap. xvi
3. History of Library Development by B. D. Panda, page 9
4. Malayalam poet embraces Buddhism Rediff – January 24, 2000
5. Revival of the Buddha Dhamma in India Sunday Observer – April 14, 2002
6. "One lakh people convert to Buddhism". The Hindu. May 28, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
7. 50,000 DALITS EMBRACE BUDDHISM – Buddhism Today
8. Existential dilemmas The Hindus – June 6, 2010
9. Kaveree Bamzai (April 10, 2009). "'The young surge'". India Today.