Navayana Buddhism, as articulated by B.R. Ambedkar, re-envisions the Buddhist path as a rational, ethical, and socially engaged way of life centered on equality. At its heart lies a decisive rejection of caste and all forms of social hierarchy, affirming that every human being possesses equal dignity and worth. The Dhamma is understood not merely as personal morality but as a comprehensive social ethic aimed at dismantling oppression and discrimination. In this reinterpretation, Buddhism becomes a vehicle for social transformation and liberation, especially for those historically marginalized by caste-based structures.

A distinctive feature of this approach is its rational and scientific orientation. Navayana sets aside doctrines and practices that are seen as incompatible with reason and morality, including the use of karma and rebirth as mechanisms to justify social inequality or fatalism. Ritualism, ceremonialism, and blind faith are rejected in favor of ethical inquiry, empirical thinking, and a “religion of principles” grounded in moral responsibility. The Buddha is revered as an exemplar of wisdom and moral conduct, while the Dhamma is recast as principles of social justice, equality, and compassion, and the Sangha as a community striving for a just and egalitarian society.

Ethics is placed above metaphysical speculation, with a strong focus on this-worldly liberation. Doctrines that do not directly contribute to the alleviation of suffering in concrete social terms are downplayed or reinterpreted. The traditional path—such as the Noble Eightfold Path and the Five Precepts—is understood as a program for ethical and social transformation in daily life, rather than a route to otherworldly rewards. Liberation is sought in the improvement of present social conditions, the cultivation of self-respect and human dignity, and the creation of a compassionate, democratic community.

Navayana also emphasizes simplified and accessible practice, centering lay life and collective upliftment rather than monastic renunciation. Religious observances are streamlined so that ethical conduct, education, and social service become the primary modes of spiritual practice. The Sangha is envisioned as a democratic community characterized by participatory decision-making and the rejection of both clerical and gender hierarchies. In this way, Navayana Buddhism presents itself as a modern, egalitarian path where spiritual growth and social emancipation are inseparable.