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COMMONWEALTH ASSOCATION FOR EDUCATION, ADMINISTRATION AND MANA MANAGEMENT VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 ISSN NO 2322-0147 OCTOBER 2013 CHAKMA TRIBE OF MIZORAM (NORTH EAST INDIA): A STUDY OF THEIR FAITH AND BELIEFS Excellence International Journal of Education and Research (Multi- subject journal) Excellence International Journal of Education and Research VOLUME -1 ISSUE 2 ISSN 2322-0147 SANJEEV KUMAR DEY ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN HISTORY KAMALANAGAR COLLEGE CHAWNGTE: MIZORAM Email: [email protected] Mobile: 09436372561 Abstract The Chakmas inhibiting some of the states of North East India are believed to be Buddhist since ancient time. However due to their migration they adopted different elements in their religion, viz. tantricism and animism. The objective is to explore the influence of tantricism and animism on the religious faith and beliefs of the Chakma tribe. For the study empirical and library research is adopted. Two forces are found to be important in the study viz. belief of spirits and the influence of Ojha or Boidyo undoubtedly dragged tantricism and animism in their present religion i.e. Buddhism. Key words: Chakma, tantricism, animism, Buddhism, influence. CHAKMA TRIBE OF MIZORAM (NORTH EAST INDIA): A STUDY OF THEIR FAITH AND BELIEFS INTRODUCTION The Chakma tribe The word Chakma or Chukma is a generic term given to a predominant hill tribe of Chittagong Hill Tracts dwelling in the corridor link of Arakan (Myanmar) by the then British administrators and scholars who ruled over and reached on these tracts of hill by mid-18th Century to mid-20th Century.1 T.H. Lwein holds the opinion that the name Chakma is given to this tribe in general by the inhabitants of the Chittagong District (now in Bangladesh), and the largest and dominant section of the tribe recognizes this as its rightful appellation.2 The Chakmas have no caste system. They are divided into three major groups’ viz. Anokya Chakma, Doinakya Chakma and Tongchongya Chakma. The Chakmas are practicing Theraveda Buddhism in modern days, but before the 19th Century AD, they practiced Tantric Buddhism. Different writers have viewed different opinions regarding the religious practice of the Chakmas. S.R. Maitra in his book ‘Ethnographic Study of the Chakma in Tripura’ viewed “Buddhism is not the original religion of the Chakma”. Nowadays, there are two contrasting religious beliefs among the Chakmas. Buddhism operates in the upper stratum and animism and sacrifices at the lower stratum. When Buddhism was liquidating due to pressure of Islam and Hinduism, the Buddhist preachers took shelter in the hill tract and came into contact with the Chakmas and preached them Buddhism”.3 Here, Maitra viewed that the original religion of the Chakmas was not Buddhism and they became Buddhist when the Buddhist monks who took shelter in the Chittagong hill tracts preached it to them. However, the above assumptions contrast with the Chakma Bijag (history). It quotes, Excellence International Journal of Education and Research (Multi- subject journal) Page 53 Excellence International Journal of Education and Research VOLUME -1 ISSUE 2 ISSN 2322-0147 “Bijoy Giri somare anya Tara Agare, Mani labang egemeh, solibang sagale su-dine”. English translation: King Bijoy Giri brought Agartara along with him, we follow it strictly and together we shall live and spend the life.4 The above lines testifies that before the Arakan expedition, king Bijoy Giri was accompanied by four scholars (Pandit) who brought the manuscripts of Agartara along with them. The Agartara is the oldest Buddhist religious scripture of the Chakmas. Therefore, the Chakmas practiced Buddhism before entering into Arakan (Myanmar) and Chittagong hill tracts CHT in Bangladesh). Further, R.H. Risely in his book ‘Tribes and Caste of Bengal’ opined that though the Chakmas introduced themselves as Buddhist, earlier they practiced animism. We cannot deny the fact that not only the Chakmas but also all the races in the world worshipped inanimate objects in ancient time. Whatever it may be, the Chakmas have been practicing Buddhism since ancient time. However, due to social, political, economic conditions and religious reformation, many new customs, rituals and thoughts had penetrated into their society and religion. Dr. Heinz Bechet wrote in the ‘Contemporary Buddhism in Bengal and Tripura’ “There can be no doubt that the Chakmas have been Buddhist since long”. This is well attested by two historians’ works - Tibetan literature viz. in Taranaths ‘History of Buddhism in India’ by San pa Po’s. He further stated in another book ‘Buddhism in East Bengal’, There is a very interesting record of the History of Buddhism in the countries east of Bengal in two works of Tibetan literatures viz. Taranaths ‘History of Buddhism in India’ and in Sampa Makhan, Po’s ‘History of the rise, progress and downfall of Buddhism in India’. According to these works, Assam, Tripura, Arakan, Burma and some other eastern countries were collectively called ‘Koki Lands’. Buddhism is said to have spread since Asoka’s times in these Koki Lands. When the Muslims occupied Magadha, a large number of Buddhist monks came from here to the Koki lands. King Balasundara of this country is said to have sent many Pandits to the Siddha Shantigupta or Shivavamsa in south India in order to procure the Mantrayana literature, i.e. the works of Tantric Buddhism. Balasundara’s son Chandravahana became the king of Arakan (Rakan, his son Atitavahana, the king of Chakma (Chagma) and Balavahana, the king of Burma (Munyang), and the Buddhist religion flourished in their countries during this period….. and secondly the conversion of Chakma to Buddhist in this period. Buddhist priests are known as Bikkhus. The Buddhist monasteries or temples are called Kiyong by the Chakmas. There is a temple in almost all the villages in their respective jurisdiction. It is the custom of the Chakmas that when a boy attains 7 years of age, the parents takes him to the temple and make him a Shraman or Monyang (novice) under a Tagur or Bikkhu at least once before marriage. There he learns Buddhist principles wearing a saffron colour cloth and observing strictly the ten Shilas (precepts) for seven days. SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY The study is significant; for the Chakma tribe in Mizoram and other tribes in general. The Chakma ethnic group are one of many tribes living in Mizoram. A majority of their population is Excellence International Journal of Education and Research (Multi- subject journal) Page 54 Excellence International Journal of Education and Research VOLUME -1 ISSUE 2 ISSN 2322-0147 located in the Southern part of the state of Mizoram. Chakma ethnic tribe are the second largest in number in the state who adhere to Buddhist religion. Except the Chakma tribe, all the other tribes in Mizoram were converted to Christianity during the British administration. The Chakma ethnic group constitute about 8 % of the total population of Mizoram state. Since they are the only non-Christian residential ethnic group in the state, the study of their religion becomes important. Apart from this religion reflects the identity of human being irrespective of where they live. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY The study is an attempt to explore the influence of tantricism and animism on the Chakma ethnic tribe. As the Chakmas adopted Buddhism since long back, they believe themselves nothing less than a Buddhist, but at the same time they, knowingly or unknowingly allow tantricism and animism to influence their way of life. METHODOLOGY ADOPTED IN THE STUDY The method of this study included both empirical and library research. Magazines, journals, souvenirs, papers and articles, published and unpublished, were used to frame the work. AREA OF THE STUDY The study is limited to the Chakma ethnic tribe of Mizoram, especially Chawngte area where they have the autonomy in the form of Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Mizoram. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY As the literature is in Chakma script, an attempt has been made to translate some of the wordings in English language which may well have some error as it is not an easy task to translate a language. RELIGION OF THE CHAKMA TRIBE All ethnic groups have their own religion. Owing to the onslaught of other dominant religions many have been amalgamated. In this regard the tribal are the most affected ones. However, the Chakma ethnic group able to keep up and evolve their religious tradition through the process of selection and accommodation, thereof in consonance with the changing time and situation. On the basis of religion, the people of Mizoram can be divided into two broad groups i.e. the Christian group and the non-Christian group. The non-Christian group is again divided into Buddhist, Hindus, Islam, Sikhs, etc. The dominant non-Christian in the state of Mizoram are the Buddhist, and almost all the Buddhist belong to the Chakma tribe following Hinayana and Mahayana cult in Mizoram. H.H. Risley writes, “The Chittagong Hills Tracts is a professed Buddhist district... from very ancient times”.5 His views can be justified owning to the fact that the Chakma ethnic tribe had been living in Chittagong Hill Tracts since long time and are the prominent tribal group in the district. He was talking only about the prominent tribe in the region i.e. the Chakmas who later on migrated to Lushai Hills (now Mizoram) during the British period. The Chakmas believe that before the creation of the earth, there was Gojen (Almighty God). Chumlang (man), Parameshwari (the nature or the woman), form the life are the ancient Excellence International Journal of Education and Research (Multi- subject journal) Page 55 Excellence International Journal of Education and Research VOLUME -1 ISSUE 2 ISSN 2322-0147 religious thought of the Chakma tribe. Along with these two thought, another thought i.e. of Basumati (the earth) constitute the Gojen (almighty).6 INFLUENCE OF ‘TANTRICISM’ ON THE RELIGION Belief in natural objects like sun, moon, water, fire etc is the universal feature of the tribal religion. The belief in supernatural power that is embodied in the natural things necessitates them to profess and worship these natural objects. Among the ethnic tribes in Mizoram, the Chakma ethnic group is found to have been influenced by tantricism. There are some tantric hermits among the Chakmas, who are known as Fagir or Sidhyapurush. They are believed to have acquired this special power, by sadhana (meditation). Tantricism are found to be very much prevalent among the Chakmas. They use some mantras to get cure of diseases. They believe in witches (bhut) who are the regions of miseries, sufferings, misfortunes and even disease. The Chakmas believe that bhut consists of those who rule over earth, ocean, human beings and animals with different character and deities. They always worshipped the spirits either to appease in order to avoid any harm or to gain the blessing and favour from them. Their ceremonies are of two type viz., religious ceremonies and ceremonies based on social customs. It is in their social customs they believe in ghosts and spirits. In fact, their rites and rituals are basically worship of nature and its various attributes represented by numerous gods, goddesses and spirits based on the personification of natural phenomena or objects. They worship such objects and spirits and perform various rituals for being blessed with happiness, wealth and prosperity in their life. INFLUENCE OF ANIMISM ON THE RELIGION Animism comes from the Latin word Anima meaning soul and is not a unified religion, but a mass of primitive beliefs and practices found in various parts of the world which mainly include ancestor worship, spirit worship and nature worship. Animists believe that at death the soul of a person leaves the body and has influence over the living, who must take elaborate precautions to get rid of their general malevolent influence.7 Other spirits and powers are believed to inhabit animals, trees, rocks, rivers, hills and caves, and must be manipulated by magic, taboos and fetishes. Witch doctors and sorcerers become the human mediums to identify and placate the spirits. Even among believers of major religions of the world, there linger many remnants of animistic ideas and customs. In spite of the fact that the Chakma ethnic group are devoted to Buddhist faith and teachings of Lord Buddha, they are adhered to some animistic beliefs and practices; they have adopted and modified this animistic worship and even made sacrificial offerings to propitiate them. The influence of Animism is traceable in the pujas for the reason that the mystic rituals are mixed with the performance of the pujas. They believe that natural objects such as trees, stones, water, wind, etc have souls. They worship them to bring about fortune and to liberate them from the possession of evil spirits. Vestiges of primitive animism, which is believed to have been the religion of the Chakmas before their conversion to Buddhism still survives in the festival called Shongbasa when nats or the spirit of wood and stream are worshipped, either by votary himself or by an exorcist (Ojha), who is called in to perform the necessary ceremonies. The demons of cholera, fever and other diseases are Excellence International Journal of Education and Research (Multi- subject journal) Page 56 Excellence International Journal of Education and Research VOLUME -1 ISSUE 2 ISSN 2322-0147 propitiated in a river bed or in the thick jungle where spirit delight to dwell, with offerings of goats, fowls, dicks, pigeons and flowers.8 In the field of animism and cultural sphere, the Chakma ethnic group are akin to the people of Burma (Myanmar) and Shan group before their conversion to Buddhism.9 The Chakmas are regarded as animist Buddhists because they also worship and offer sacrifices to evil spirits though they claim to profess Buddhism.10 CONCLUSION One can sum up this study by saying that the present Chakma ethnic tribe who are believe to be Buddhist of Hinayana and Mahayana cult in Mizoram is not without the influence of tantricism and animism in their day-to-day life. There are some forces that influence the rituals of the Chakmas. The first force is the belief of spirits and their worship owing to fear. The second force is the engagement of exorcist (Ojha) or Boidyo, who is called in to perform the necessary ceremonies. The belief and involvement of the first and second forces shows that the Chakma religion is certainly influenced by tantricism and animism. References 1. S.P. Talukdar., 1988. The Chakmas: Life and struggle, Gian Publishing House, Delhi, p.5. 2. T.H. Lewin., Reprint 2004. The Hill Tracts of Chittagong and the Dwellers therein, Tribal Research Institute, Aizawl, p.90. 3. S.R. Maitra., 2002, Ethnographic Study Of The Chakma Of Tripura, Anthropological Survey of India, Kolkata, p.5. 4. Translated by Jyotirmoy Chakma, at Chawngte (Mizoram) in 15.6.12. 5. H.H. Risley., 1901. Census of India, Vol. I, India, Part – I, p.369. 6. S.R. Maitra., Ibid, p.179. 7. A.T. Houghton, 1955. ‘Animism in the World’s religion’, ed., J.N.D. Anderson, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, p.12. 8. S.P. Talukdar., 1994. Chakmas: An Embattled Tribe, Uppal Publishing House, New Delhi, p.45. 9. Dr. Heinz Bechart, Contemporary Buddhism in Bengal and Tripura (Educational Miscellany), Vol. IV, Dec 1967 to March, 1968, pp.3&4. 10. Hamphrey, 1958. Buddhism, (Reprinted), London, p.63. Excellence International Journal of Education and Research (Multi- subject journal) Page 57