Dhamma sthal: a buddhist cultural complex, Lachung, North Sikkim/

Abstract

Sikkim, located in the Himalayan region between India and Tibet, was upheld by a Buddhist Monarch until 1975. Sikkim's culture has long been a mingling of traditional animist beliefs of the Lepcha Ethnic group and Vajrayana Buddhism influenced by the Bhutia’s who migrated from Tibet in the 17th century. As a result of the influence of neighbouring Hindu-dominated states Bengal and Nepal, Hindus have become the majority in Sikkim's population, with only 27.39 percent of the Buddhist population concentrated in the north district of Sikkim's six districts (Census 2011). The Project proposal in Lachung envisions to establish a Statue of Guru Padmasambhava, which in turn will enchance and strengthen the faith of Nyingma Sect Vajrayana Buddhism in Sikkim. The establishment of the Statue on top of a Meditation Hall | Thee will give a unique identity to the place since the strategic location of the site offers the visibility of the Statue from Bichu District which is enroute of Lachung and several Tourist spots. The statue will stand tall and shine bright like gold. during summer hours, will peek through the mist of the Season and thus would be the USP of the Project. Over the last decade Sikkim has seen a steady growth of pilgrims and it is only beneficial to exploit that aspect and provide a pilgrimage destination for them. The project will also supplement thetourism of Lachung in the form of a leisure park and a sightseeing destination. Other Allied features would carry a Tourist zone and Religious residential zone that would not only cater the monks and locals but also Tourist. Provision of Interpretation center and Workshop will aid in upbringing the lost traditional monastic arts and crafts brought in by the Bhutia’s in 17th century but will also boost the local economy. The residential zone of the monks will have a Pilgrim Meditation center that would attract the devotees to live a life of Dhamma and learn about the culture which brings them to the state of Sikkim. The Project in whole is believed to sanctify Lachung as a village and come under the Swadesh Darshan and Buddhist Circuit of Sikkim.