SikkimSikkim \i is a smallFolklore \i Indian landlocked state within the gigantic Himalayan mountain range. This word is an anglicized form of Sukhim (Suim) which means ‘new house’. The State spread below Mt. KanchenjungaMt. Kanchenjunga, a legend in Sikkim and the third highest peak in the world. The lifeline of Sikkim is river TeestaTeesta. The land has an incredible amount of diverse flora and fauna. LepchaLepcha, LimbuLimbu and BhutiasBhutias are the earliest natives of the place, each with its own unique folklore and traditions. Their land was called Mayel, Chung Jung and Denjong (which means valley of rice) respectively. The history of Sikkim is a land of myths which is deeply rooted in the beliefs and practices of the indigenous people. The earliest stage of cultural development in Sikkim can be underlined from Neolithic phase. Since historical times, Sikkim had been in close contact and was highly influenced by TibetTibet \i. Sikkim story telling traditions steeped in legendsLegends like bodhisattva AvalokiteshwarAvalokiteshwar, who went to Tibet around seventh century C.E. and mentions that the hidden land of Sikkim would become a centre of pilgrimage for Buddhists. In eighth century C.E. the land was visited by Padmasambhava, another legend, a well known tantric master from India. He was invited by the Tibetan king ThrisongDeutsan. He paid a visit to Sikkim during his search for sacred and hidden lands which are significantly situated in four cardinal directions of Tibet. He consecrated this land by means of concealing sacred objects in its caves, rocks and in the sacred lakes. He subdued all the evil spirits of this land and bound by oath to protect the Dharma as guardians of hidden treasures. According to the prophesies of Padmasambhava, between thirteenth-sixteenth century C.E. many Terton LamasLamas came to Sikkim from Tibet, discovered many religious texts and objects concealed by PadamsambhavaPadamsambhava, blessed this land and returned. During sixteenth century, the royal line of Minyak King, GyeBumsa, gradually came to settle in Sikkim. Likewise in the mid of seventeenth century, 1641–1642, three holy Lamas came to Sikkim from Tibet. This event was known NaljorChezhi. They met a place called Norbugang or present-day ‘Yuksam’ which means the meeting place of three superior monks. Still, one person named Phuntshog was to be present who had to come from the east. The fourth one, Phuntshog, was found at present day Gangtok. The three Lamas made the Phuntshog the Chogyal which means Dharma King, who established a system of monarchy in Sikkim. After that, the Buddhist teaching centres were found by three Lamas in nearby hills under the patronage of ChogyalsChogyals.

Tracing Cultural Heritage of Sikkim Through Folklores, Myths and Legends in Historical Context

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发表日期：

2025年

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Ambika Dhaka

摘要

SikkimSikkim \i is a smallFolklore \i Indian landlocked state within the gigantic Himalayan mountain range. This word is an anglicized form of Sukhim (Suim) which means ‘new house’. The State spread below Mt. KanchenjungaMt. Kanchenjunga, a legend in Sikkim and the third highest peak in the world. The lifeline of Sikkim is river TeestaTeesta. The land has an incredible amount of diverse flora and fauna. LepchaLepcha, LimbuLimbu and BhutiasBhutias are the earliest natives of the place, each with its own unique folklore and traditions. Their land was called Mayel, Chung Jung and Denjong (which means valley of rice) respectively. The history of Sikkim is a land of myths which is deeply rooted in the beliefs and practices of the indigenous people. The earliest stage of cultural development in Sikkim can be underlined from Neolithic phase. Since historical times, Sikkim had been in close contact and was highly influenced by TibetTibet \i. Sikkim story telling traditions steeped in legendsLegends like bodhisattva AvalokiteshwarAvalokiteshwar, who went to Tibet around seventh century C.E. and mentions that the hidden land of Sikkim would become a centre of pilgrimage for Buddhists. In eighth century C.E. the land was visited by Padmasambhava, another legend, a well known tantric master from India. He was invited by the Tibetan king ThrisongDeutsan. He paid a visit to Sikkim during his search for sacred and hidden lands which are significantly situated in four cardinal directions of Tibet. He consecrated this land by means of concealing sacred objects in its caves, rocks and in the sacred lakes. He subdued all the evil spirits of this land and bound by oath to protect the Dharma as guardians of hidden treasures. According to the prophesies of Padmasambhava, between thirteenth-sixteenth century C.E. many Terton LamasLamas came to Sikkim from Tibet, discovered many religious texts and objects concealed by PadamsambhavaPadamsambhava, blessed this land and returned. During sixteenth century, the royal line of Minyak King, GyeBumsa, gradually came to settle in Sikkim. Likewise in the mid of seventeenth century, 1641–1642, three holy Lamas came to Sikkim from Tibet. This event was known NaljorChezhi. They met a place called Norbugang or present-day ‘Yuksam’ which means the meeting place of three superior monks. Still, one person named Phuntshog was to be present who had to come from the east. The fourth one, Phuntshog, was found at present day Gangtok. The three Lamas made the Phuntshog the Chogyal which means Dharma King, who established a system of monarchy in Sikkim. After that, the Buddhist teaching centres were found by three Lamas in nearby hills under the patronage of ChogyalsChogyals.