Sanamahism the
indigenous Religion of Meiteis
 |
Ema Khunthok-haanbi, Guardian of
Thangmeiband Area (Manipur, India) ~ Wikipedia
|
THE concern of the indigenous people of
Manipur spreads at a very large scale, through the television news channel, the
print, and the social media. The issue is discussed in many symposiums at a
different level and they are available in social media followed by many, with
endless views and comments. This issue is actually messed up with many other
challenges the state has faced over last six decades.
Most of the approach is done in the mode of
reactive to what happened in the past. Such as the Puya Meithaba, the burning
of Meitei sacred writing in the early 18th century by Shanti Das Gosai, a
Bengali Hindu missionary, after he managed to convert Manipuri king Pamheiba.
In addition, followed the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act for six decades and
now the emergence of Hindutva.
For the socio-religious and political
challenges faced by India as a whole, Buddhism was the greatest challenge for
dominion caste during the classic era of Indian history. Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar
renounced Hinduism and embraced Buddhism on 16 October 1956 at Deekshabhoomi in
Nagpur. Thousands followed him. Ever since then, the Amberkarites all over
India began following the footsteps of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar. Dr. Udit Raj,
standing Member of Parliament founded All India Confederation of Scheduled
Caste/Scheduled Tribe Organisations led the masses, left Hinduism and embraced
Buddhism on 4 November 2001 in New Delhi.
For Manipur’s socio-political challenges, the resurgence
of Sanamahism might be the need of the day. Many have expressed to strengthen
the identities of indigenous people of Manipur. For Meiteis, the resurgence of
Sanamahism could be the answer.
Seven thoughts for the resurgence of
Sanamahism, not from the personal belief, but from the socio-political angle:
First, the need for a canonized version of
Puya. For any religion, sacred scripture is necessary, though, is not the same
for Paganism. Reading and listening to Meitei scholars, there are many Meitei
Puyas. The scholars need to agree in making a canonized version of Puya. The
Puya can be a collection of books as it is so with most of the religions. Bible
means the collection of books. Hindu scripture has many sacred writings and so
with the Quran.
Second, the theology of Sanamahism. Identify
the godheads of Sanamahism and develop the theology. For instance, Soraren,
Sanamahi, Pakhangba their characteristics can be developed from the sacred
writings, traditional practices, and folklore. Develop the attributes of the
godheads and the theology of their incarnation, personage and their deities.
Develop the branches of theology.
Third, develop the doctrines of Sanamahism and
the teaching of Puya. The need for systematic study of Puyas to find out the doctrines
related to various aspects of life – covering the governance, the agriculture,
the commercial, the social, the religious and the political spectrum.
Fourth, the gospel of Puya. What is the main
message of Puya? What does Sanamahism teach? What is the message of the
evangelization of Sanamahism? What is the message that people will like to
listen to and embrace Sanamahism? The scholars will need to milk out the
ingredient message of Puya.
Fifth, Sanamahism should be a progressive
religion. In the globalized world, people will not choose to return to
paganism. Sanamahism must be beyond paganism. It must be a scientific and
progressive religion. In order to make Sanamahism as progressive and scientific
religion, Puya must be canonized. The canonized Puya must be made in the
contemporary version and it should be made in the languages of the people.
Major religion of the world did this.
The Christians have Bible in over five hundred
different versions in English and then in thousands of vernacular languages. It
was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. So is also the same with
Hinduism, Buddhism. Without being written on the contemporary version of Bible
and even with the King James Version, many in the world would have found
difficult to understand the message.
Meitei Puya will need the translation in
today’s version of Manipuri in three main Meitei Mayek, Bengali and Roman
scripts. The same should also be translated into the English version.
In today’s world, any religion that is not
progressive and scientific will not survive. People will leave the
nonscientific and non-progressive religion and will convert to others. There
should be internal and external reformation and evolution of the Sanamahism as
it does with much other religion.
Sixth, Sanamahism should be an inclusive
religion. Most of the religions in the world have missionary nature that
promotes the faith and a message to others through the evangelistic efforts.
Hinduism is a missionary religion that involves conversion. That is how
Pamheiba was converted and so the entire Meiteis. No need to mention the
missionary nature of Christianity. Buddhism began in India. Gautam Buddha and
Ashoka the Great are known as the world’s largest evangelists.
Sanamahism should be made as a religion for
others as well. In its development of doctrine and theology, it must develop a
religion for others to embrace; one will not need to become a Meitei ethnic.
Seven, the cultural and traditional identity
should not unnecessarily mess up with Hinduism. Buddhism has its original
cultural and traditional identity, but it has developed a distinct one for
India and different ones for the world contextually. Christianity follows the
liturgical identity contextually all over the world. Sanamahism will also need
to contextualize its own.
The cultural and traditional identity of
Meitei in the history is the matter of challenge. It was always inducted with
Mayang Laining, which is known as Hinduism. Inducting Konok Tengra, a Mayang
scholar as one among the seven Meitei scholar years ago, might have opened the
door to delude and pollute the identity of Meitei culture and tradition. We
have the same challenges with the flood of saffron culture and tradition among
the communities in Manipur.
~ Madhu
Chandra
