Buddhism in Mizoram

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Buddhism is the second largest religion in Mizoram, practiced by about 8.51% of the population (roughly 93,411 people). Most Buddhists are Chakmas who live mainly in the Chakma Autonomous District Council and follow Theravada Buddhism.

The Chakma people have lived in Mizoram for centuries. In the 1960s, many Chakmas from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in what is now Bangladesh moved to Mizoram and other Indian states after their lands were flooded by the Kaptai dam; some also fled religious persecution in Bangladesh.

When Mizoram became a full state in 1972, the central government created the Chakma Autonomous District Council to grant limited self-government to the Chakma community.

Census notes: Buddhism was 7.93% of Mizoram’s population in 2001 and rose to 8.51% in 2011. Among the Chakma people, about 88,885 individuals (roughly 91.7%) are Buddhists.