BUDDHISM IN PĀNGI VALLEY: A CULTURAL STUDY

Abstract

The major aim of the paper is to analyse the Buddhism and its influence on the cultural practices and beliefs of tribals through a case study of Pāngi Valley in Himachal Pradesh. This paper is a small piece of my doctoral thesis work. The paper uses an analytical narrative approach to account for cultural influence of Buddhism on Buddhist (Bhoṭs) and non-Buddhist population of Pāngi valley, mainly drawing on qualitative data gathered through field observation and interviews with respondents of five villages in Pāngi valley. Inferences drawn from the study reflects that Buddhism finds a great place in cultural and traditional aspects of Pāngi valley people.  Religious actions and symbols, local fairs and social practices like wedding, birth and funeral ceremonies  appears  to be the reflection of  amalgamated commencing of  Buddhist and local cultural practices of Pāngi valley