Sajal Barua

This study explores the Rauli Buddhist tradition of the Chakma community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, a lineage uniquely tracing its origins to Rahula, the Buddha's son. Central to their tradition is the “Agartara,” a sacred text written in Chakma script that integrates Buddhist teachings with local cultural elements and Chakma cosmology. It invokes 28 Buddhas for familial, social, spiritual, and protective benefits while emphasizing mastery of the five elements, rituals, and healing practices. Through interdisciplinary research combining textual analysis and fieldwork, this study documents the “Agartara” and the Rauli's unique practices, challenging conventional Buddhist categorizations and preserving a tradition under the threat of assimilation.