Sattras are like monastries. Namghar is an integral part of Sattras. Normally a sattra has four "hatis" on four sides, which are used by the bhakats as quarters. In a 'hati' senior bhakat stays with his interns. These are self sufficient units. In the middle there is a namghar and alongside the abode of the 'sattradhikar'. Also in almost all Assamese Hindu village has a namghar, which is a community hall, auditorium and seat of the gaon-panchayat. Well Sattras has committed some mistakes by propagating the caste system, which was against the tenets of Srimanta Sankaradeva. In whole of Majuli I could not find a single "mishing bhakat". That is the reason why common people of other martial races and tribes moved away from the sattras. It's a good thing that they braced the Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha, otherwise they had the option of getting converted to Christianity or Islam. Rgds Mkd On 12/8/06, dwipen.boruah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I am willing to know the difference between "Satras" and "Namghars" promoted by Srimanta Sankardev to unite the people from all caste and class in one plateform. I always follow his bani " kukura sigala gadarvaro atmaram, jania xabako kariba pranam".I have pain and joy both in my heart regarding this two institutions from two small incident in my life. 1985: Jorhat When I was studying in Jorhat, I proposed to visit Kamalabari satra as it was a great interest for me to visit a holy place like this. I had a very good friend from that place and I told him about my visit. At first he was very excited about my visit, later he was reluctant and at last he refused to take me with him to his house. When I asked him about the reason, he said that his family did not agree because I am from a lower caste (Mless?). I decided not to visit that place in my life. 1987. Guwahati I proposed a friend of mine from Barpeta to visit the "Barpeta Namghar". He was very happy to invite me as a guest. His parents even painted their house for my visit. I will remember this for my life. We must preserve the satras. There can not be a second opinion on that. In the mean time we must think about why people are detaching themselves from supporting the satras. Earlier, we saw people from the villages and towns contributed to the satras in free hand and satras were flourished with resources. Govenment support can help to preserve the satras physically. But we need them to preserve in the heart of the people first. Dwipen Boruah
