An analysis of Sikkimese monasticism:
A Religious and Social History of Sikkimese monasteries

Our primary focus is to gather historical information on Sikkimese monasteries, to study the development of the social and religious environment surrounding both the monastery itself and its location as a focus for society. This project is designed to chart the development of such religious and social institutions over the course of history and assess the changes that have taking place from the early seventeenth century up to the present day. The detailed study will concern approximately 12 to 15 monasteries supplemented by a complete list of all Sikkimese monasteries with information regarding the location, year of foundation, religious school/lineage and estates of each institution.

Key areas of enquiry:

The Monastery
This area of enquiry will include studies on the historical account of the foundation of each individual monastery based upon both oral and traditional accounts as well as accounts found in literary sources. Further we will investigate the lineage of each monastery, its internal organisation, religious functions/calendar of monastic rituals, their historical origins along with their state and social importance, monastic discipline, hierarchy and training.

The Monastery and the State
Here we will investigate what political and religious connections existed between the monasteries within Sikkim and Tibet as well as the wider state institutions of these two countries. Further we will study whether the monastery was granted with endowments and if so what rights and responsibilities did the monastery exercise over the people living in those areas. For example, was the monastery involved in the administration of local justice, the collection of taxes, etc?

The Monastery and the Village
Here we address the key question of the role of the monastery in the life and social organisation of the villages that surround the monastery. We will study what functions the monastery or individual lamas have towards the local communities and what functions or responsibilities the villages have towards the monastery such as: contributions to the monastery (financially and in terms of recruits), ritual performances in individual houses, taxation (voluntary contributions or forced). We also want to investigate whether there exist other, perhaps non-Buddhist, ritual and religious specialists in the village and if so how their role has changed. We will also ask other important questions such as: is there a village focus for Buddhist practice such as a Mani Lhakhang or pilgrimage site and what is the genealogical make up of the village (what clans are represented), etc.