<P> Most of the Ambedkarite Buddhists belong his own former Mahar caste . The new converts treat Ambedkar himself as a deity . Although they have renounced Hinduism in practice, a community survey showed adherence to many practices of the old faith including endogamy, worshipping the traditional family deity etc . </P> <P> The Buddhist meditation tradition of Vipassana meditation is growing in popularity in India . Many institutions--both government and private sector--now offer courses for their employees . This form is mainly practiced by the elite and middle class Indians . This movement has spread to many other countries in Europe, America and Asia . </P> <P> According to the 2011 Census of India there are 8.4 million Buddhists in India but Buddhist leaders claim there are about 50 to 60 million Buddhists in India . Maharashtra has the highest number of Buddhists in India, with 77.36% of the total population . Almost 90 per cent of Navayana or Neo-Buddhists live in the state . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th_colspan="4"> (show) Buddhist population growth </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Census </Th> <Th> Pop . </Th> <Th> </Th> <Th>% ± </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1951 </Td> <Td> 180,823 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td>--</Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1961 </Td> <Td> 3,250,227 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 1697.5% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1971 </Td> <Td> 3,812,325 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 17.3% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1981 </Td> <Td> 4,720,000 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 23.8% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1991 </Td> <Td> 6,388,000 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 35.3% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> 7,955,207 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 24.5% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2011 </Td> <Td> 8,442,972 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 6.1% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="4"> Source: Census of India </Td> </Tr> </Table>

What was the state of buddhism in northern india at this time
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