Revival and Cultural Continuity of Buddhism in Contemporary West Bengal: Historical Trajectory and Sociocultural Dynamics

Abstract

The revival of Buddhism in contemporary West Bengal demonstrates that religion persists not only as a system of belief but also as a dynamic cultural identity. This study aims to analyze the historical trajectory of the Buddhist revival and explain the sociocultural dynamics that sustain its cultural continuity in West Bengal. The study employs a qualitative approach using the historical method through library research on historical documents, archival records, and scholarly literature, which are analyzed using historical and thematic approaches. The findings reveal three major insights. First, the revival of Buddhism in West Bengal represents a continuation of its historical legacy that has been continuously reconstructed in response to social change rather than a temporary phenomenon of religious resurgence. Second, the cultural continuity of Buddhism has been maintained through religious institutions, Buddhist education, religious festivals, and the preservation of the cultural identity of the Bengali Buddhist community. Third, the sustainability of the Buddhist community has been supported by the interaction among historical memory, social networks, and the community's capacity to adapt to social change within a pluralistic society. These findings indicate that the sustainability of Buddhism depends not only on religious factors but also on the continuity of historical legacy, cultural traditions, and social practices. This study makes an original contribution by integrating historical and sociocultural perspectives to explain the revival and cultural continuity of Buddhism as an analytical framework for understanding the development of minority religious communities in contemporary India.