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STHANAKA
Tantrik Buddhism entered Assam in 7th centuryBy a Staff ReporterGUWAHATI, June 8: Though there is no literary references or direct epigraphical hints about the advent of Buddhism into the north-eastern region, different archaeological evidences say that Tantric Buddhism, mixed with Tantric Hinduism found its way into Assam during the 7th century AD. In a recent study on the religion, art and culture of North-east India with special reference to Buddhism in Assam, Dr NP Choudhary, Secretary, Kamrupa Anusandhana Samiti has found traces of Buddhist practices in some secret rituals in Assam. According to him, both the Indian and Tibetan sources show that Buddhism in the form of Vajrayana was prevalent in Assam. He said the Mahayana form of Buddhism made its way into Assam from its western boundary in the early Christian era, while the Theraradin form of Buddhism came to .the Brahmaputra valley from South-east Asia, mainly from Myanmar. The study found that not only in the field of art history, but also in matter of food habit, costumes, festivals, customs etc., Assam offers a good deal of similarity with South-east Asia. Of the several Buddhist images found in Assam, archeologist PC Chaudhuri has noticed two images in Kamakhya, one in sthanaka posture carved on a granite block and identified as Bodhisattva. The other one is of the asana variety of a figure shown in bhumisparsa mudra, identified as Buddha.From the recent archaeological excavation at Sri Surya pahar, structural evidences of Buddhist vihar and stupa have been found. The Buddhist stupa and vihara are made of bricks. Besides these two structures, some terracotta Buddhist deities have also been found. Caves were noticed in Sri Surya pahar, Pancharatna, Jogighopa and Paglatek. As the Brahmanical religion and Tantrism had already occupied the heart of the people strongly, Buddhism was embraced by a section of people as proved by the literary as well as archaeological evidences. A considerable number of Tai people are followers of Hinayana Buddhism in upper Assam. Dr Chaudhary stated that even today, a section of people of Assam are followers of Buddhism.From Barphakial Buddha Vihar, near Margherita, the Assam State Meuseum had collected 64 images of Buddha of various sizes. The materials used for the images are wood, paper-pulp, saw-dust, glass and marble. He said the excavation at Bhaitbari area within the Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, has revealed the existance of a sprawling township with Buddhism, Hinduism (Saivism) and the amalgamation of the two being widely practised in the area. During the late phase of the Ahom rule, Buddhist people, such as Khamtis, Nora and Phakials etc. from the South-east Asia entered into the Brahmaputra Valley and settled in some pockets in upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh