Buddhist cultural heritage of Pangi a critical study

Abstract

Present study attempts to explore the impact of Buddhism and its practices on the lives of Pangwala tribes in Pand#257;ngi valley of Himachal Pradesh by largely focusing on socio-cultural and religious/spiritual aspects of the tribal community. Ethnographic research is conducted in a natural setting of the selected area. Snowball sampling was adopted for identifying the interviewees and collecting data. Sural, Hundan, Parmar, Hilu-Tuan and Chasak Bhaand#7789;ori of Pand#257;ngi Tehsil of District Chamba Himachal Pradesh has been studied as these are the only existing village of the Buddhist population known as Bhatori/Bhator means villages of bhots (Buddhist). The various inferences drawn from the interviews and observations demonstrate that Buddhism affects the lives of people in Pangi valley to quite a larger extent. And we can witness this through the observation and oral narratives of local residents on the various aspects like; the popularity of Buddhist preaching and assimilation of local and Buddhist fairs and festivals, the existence of Buddhist monasteries, stupa and chasten in large numbers to fight against negative energy, the inclusion of Buddhist religious practices in Agricultural and horticulture activities at the more considerable level and so on. The conclusion drawn from the field further reflects that there is an assimilation of Buddhist and local Hindu culture in Pand#257;ngi valley. An obvious view of assimilation and existence of the Buddhist culture/ practices/ religion has been found in the all-pervasive infrastructure, social structure, architecture, old relies upon artifacts, traditional decision-making practices, mythology, and folklore natives of the Pand#257;ngi valley. In this assimilation monks and domestic deities have tended to play a vital role. They have a significant role to play (as spiritual leaders or as Symbols) in the transcendental presence of spiritual connections to the surrounding environment. newline