Tenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

One of the fundamental philosophies of Buddhism is its inclusiveness. It teaches right to livelihood, but without killing or stealing, which ensure co-existence with the environment. These kinds of environmental worldviews are replicated among many indigenous communities of India. This paper endeavors to recount some of these environmental worldviews, very similar to Buddhism, among the indigenous communities of Odisha in India with the help of a case study of Dongria Kondha tribe. Indigenous culture and religious beliefs are reflected in the form of different rituals. There are allegorical terms which express a deep sense of unity of the Dongria with nature even without any literal meaning. Not only their religious life is closely related to the nature but also the tribal livelihood is characterized by profound relationship between their economic life and the natural environment or habitat, which is generally the forest. In this manner they become the ultimate preserver of nature and achieve harmony between humans and nature.