Late Dharma Ratna Yami wrote two books Maha Maushya Buddha ( translated from his book Buddha Manish Hun) and Buddha Darshanko Rup Rekha after he traveled and lectured in cities of India. During 1950s and 1960s delivery speeches on Buddhism was not favorable in front of hardcore Hindus.
Late Dharma Ratna Yami (धर्मरत्न यमी ), originally Dharma Ratna Tuladhar, was a Nepalese government deputy minister, democratic activist, Buddhist scholar, and writer. Born into a wealthy merchant family in Kathmandu, he changed his surname to Yami, meaning “inhabitant of Kathmandu ” in Nepal Bhasa, as a form of resistance against the caste system.
He traveled extensively, including to Lhasa, Tibet, where he met and was influenced by the scholar Mahapandit Rahul Sakrityayan. Dharma Ratna Yami became a strong opponent of caste hierarchy and untouchability and was deeply involved in the democratic movement against the Rana regime, which resulted in an 18-year jail term. During his activism, he also established Nepal’s first Buddhist library and worked on Buddhist scholarship.
In the 1950s and 1960s, when Buddhist speeches were often unwelcome before the orthodox Hindu audience, Dharma Ratna Yami’s house in Bhurankhel, Kathmandu, became a significant venue for social justice and religious reform activities. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the leader of the anti-caste movement and a major Buddhist thinker, stayed at Yami House during his visit to Nepal in 1956. During this time, Ambedkar was engaged in editing and writing manuscripts of his works, including the yet unfinished books Buddha and Marx and Revolution and Counterrevolution in Ancient India, along with his seminal work The Buddha and His Dhamma.
Ambedkar’s stay at Yami House was historic, marking a practical battle against caste discrimination and untouchability. Along with Dharma Ratna Yami and others like Rahul Sakrityayan, Ambedkar was involved in discussions on Buddhist philosophy, social justice, and democratic activism. Despite facing physical illness and travel stresses, Ambedkar’s intellectual work continued vigorously during this period.
Thus, Dharma Ratna Yami’s home served as a hub for collaborative intellectual and political activities focused on fighting caste hierarchy and promoting Buddhist and democratic ideals in mid-20th century Nepal.
Dr. Ambedkar was lodged at “Yami house” where a practical battle was fought against caste hierarchy and untouchability. His stay in Bhurankhel at the house of Dharma Ratna Yami (तुलाधर ) and Hira Devi Yami (तुलाधर ) who themselves were strong opponents of caste system and untouchability was historic. During Nepal visits, Rahul Sakrityayan used to stay in the house of Dharma Ratna Yami, who also was a fighter for democratic movement, a former deputy minister and a writer. Probably the two scholars stayed together. Dr. Ambedkar had brought some manuscripts for his editing work during his stay in Kathmandu. The manuscripts were related to his yet incomplete book and his articles. After writing the great book The Buddha and His Dhamma, he was working on Buddha and Marx and Revolution and Counterrevolution in Ancient India. His writing and editing continued amid the travel, stress, and illness. The ideas expressed at the Conference were a reflection of and postscript to these works.
During his stay at Yami House in Bhurankhel, Kathmandu, in 1956, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was engaged in critical intellectual and activist work despite being physically unwell. Accompanied by his doctor, wife, and aides, Ambedkar traveled to Nepal at the request of his colleagues and was lodged at the house of Dharma Ratna Yami and Hira Devi Yami, strong opponents of caste hierarchy and untouchability.
At Yami House, Ambedkar continued his editing and writing work on manuscripts related to his ongoing intellectual projects, specifically his unfinished books Buddha and Marx and Revolution and Counterrevolution in Ancient India, following his earlier major work The Buddha and His Dhamma. These writings reflected his deep struggle against caste oppression and his efforts to integrate Buddhist philosophy with social justice and Marxist theory.
While in Kathmandu, Ambedkar participated in a challenging world Buddhist conference that was ideologically contested, particularly by orthodox Hindu opposition. His stay at Yami House became historic as a practical battleground in the larger fight against caste discrimination, untouchability, and social inequality. Despite health challenges, Ambedkar’s stay was marked by continued scholarly work, collaboration with democratic movement activists like Dharma Ratna Yami and Rahul Sakrityayan, and the ongoing articulation of his revolutionary ideas around social reform and equality.[timilayamithapa +1]
In summary, Dr. Ambedkar’s activities at Yami House included manuscript editing and writing, participating in Buddhist and social justice discourse, collaborating with anti-caste activists, and enduring health struggles, all within the context of his broader fight against caste hierarchy and oppression.
Dr. Ambedkar’s Visit to Kathmandu (14–20 November 1956)
Purpose of Visit
• Attended the Fourth World Buddhist Conference (organized by the World Fellowship of Buddhists) at the request of colleagues.
• Despite severe illness (diabetes, heart issues, neuropathy), he agreed to participate.
• The conference was ideologically charged — a “war zone” between Buddhist reformers and orthodox Hindu opposition.
Travel Companions
• Dr. Savita Ambedkar (wife)
• Dr. Malvankar (personal physician)
• M.B. Chitnis (Principal, Milind College, Aurangabad)
• B. H Varel ( aide)
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Stay at Yami House, Kathmandu (Nov 1956)
Purpose: Attended 4th World Buddhist Conference despite severe illness.
Travel: Flew Patna → Kathmandu (14 Nov) with wife Savita, doctor Malvankar, and aides. Needed support to walk.
Hosts: Dharma Ratna Yami & Hira Devi Yami — anti-caste activists; Yami changed surname in protest, jailed 18 yrs under Rana rule.
Location: Yami House, Bhurankhel — hub for Buddhist reform, democracy, and anti-untouchability. Also hosted Rahul Sankrityayan.
Work: Edited manuscripts of:
• Buddha and Marx
• Revolution and Counter-Revolution in Ancient India
Significance: A practical fight against caste; forged India-Nepal anti-caste Buddhist alliance.
Legacy: Yami House symbolized Dalit-Buddhist resistance; Ambedkar’s ideas challenged Hindu orthodoxy.
Source: SAMATA Foundation, Kathmandu
References
https://www.timilayamithapa.com/blogs/view/173.html
Please listen to following also
https://youtu.be/Bkz3c_E06gI?si=kdT7sYyBuheKAd43