RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF NORTH EAST INDIA: A STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BUDDHISM

The mountainous area of north-east India has borders with Bangladesh, China, Bhutan, and Myanmar. The Brahmaputra Valley in this area is connected to the Indian mainland through a tiny channel. In the plains and hills of India's North East reside several ethnic groups with various socio-cultural and religious identities. Tribal faiths such as Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Jainism, Buddhism, Tantrism, and more have all thrived here throughout history. As seen by the exquisitely painted Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and other tiny Buddhist structures, as well as the regional arts and crafts, rituals, festivals, and dances, Buddhism has played a distinctive role in the religious culture of north-east India. Buddhism is still actively practiced in a number of localities. The major goal of this research paper is to examine the religious practices and beliefs of north-eastern India, with special reference to Buddhism. The goal of the current study is to investigate the theoretical underpinnings of comprehending Buddhism from a religious perspective and analyse the theoretical foundation for the study of its religious beliefs and practices in North-East India.