From Monastery to Household: Material and Ritual Continuities among the Monpas of Tawang

Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh stands as a vital center of Tibetan Buddhism, influencing both monastic and domestic life among the Monpa community. While prior studies have emphasized its history and architecture, the material culture of the monastery and its integration into everyday religious practice remain underexplored. This study adopts an object-centered approach to examine sacred artifacts from the museum, monastery, and local households, focusing on metallic and non-metallic objects such as butter lamps, prayer bells, offering vessels, and ritual flags. Field surveys reveal that household objects often replicate monastic prototypes, reflecting the monastery’s enduring influence on domestic religious practice. Although some objects are of recent manufacture, their forms, functions, and symbolic meanings maintain continuity with centuries-old ritual traditions. The study demonstrates that material culture functions as a living medium, mediating faith, cultural identity, and communal memory. By foregrounding the role of sacred objects, this research provides a nuanced understanding of Tawang Monastery as a dynamic institution where ritual, art, and everyday life intersect. It underscores the significance of material culture in sustaining Tibetan Buddhist practices and preserving cultural continuity in Northeast India.