ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship between a culture and its vernacular architecture by exploring the trends of continuity and change in two contrasting Buddhist communities the Drukpa of Bhutan and the Burman of Burma/Myanmar. It considers in particular the contrasting affinities between secular and religious styles in these two traditions and shows how their vulnerability and differential response to exogenous forces of development and national identity generate both change and resilience. Systems of family, kinship and gender roles are different for each community and are therefore reflected in their dwellings and other forms of vernacular architecture. Bhutanese architecture owes much to Tibetan building technology, and iconography. Dzong architecture with its embodiment of Buddhist values acted as a cultural magnet and a source of inspiration; it became the trendsetter for Bhutanese architecture. India's policy of recognising Bhutan's sovereignty as opposed to China's claims of suzerainty brought Bhutan closer to India.
