Brahmin Terai in Nepal

People Name:	Brahmin Terai
Country:	Nepal
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	114,000
World Population:	114,000
Primary Language:	Maithili
Primary Religion:	Hinduism
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Forward Caste - Brahmin
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Terai Plains region straddles India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal where it is the most productive district. A large part of the economy now involves logging. Typically, they strip away the logs for lumber then replace the trees with farmland, thus making agriculture foundational to the economy.

Nepal is a Hindu country. There is a small Brahmin community in the Terai Plains. Indeed, the Brahmins are so few that they are hardly mentioned in the context of this region of Nepal, but they are undoubtedly a leading community in the local economy because the rate of literacy among Brahmin men is well above Nepal's national average.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally in the varna system Brahmins are considered as priests, but a temple priest is a lowly position that no Terai Brahmin family wants their sons to aspire towards. Rather, there is strong pressure for higher education, particularly in computer science and engineering.

Terai Brahmins are deeply influenced by the traditional four stages of life; the first student stage is followed by the householder stage, where marriage, raising a family and being a productive member of society is the primary obligation of an individual. Once children are married there is time for spiritual concerns in the third stage of reclusiveness, which is followed (this is rarely practiced) by itinerant homeless wandering (sannyasa).

Often a busy Brahmin will put off spiritual discussions as an issue for later in life. The famous Bhagavad Gita text does not support this, however, as it calls for all humanity to engage in doing good to all without thought of merit or reward for such actions.

What Are Their Beliefs?

In some cases, Brahmin subgroups are defined by their theological distinctions such as Madhva Brahmins, who are defined by their dualist theology, though everyone does not actually hold those beliefs. However, many Brahmin castes are made up of people who adhere to all the various philosophical and theological options espoused by modern Hindus, including hard core secularists and atheists. One can never predict what an individual Brahmin might believe or disbelieve!

What Are Their Needs?

When there are no Christians in a community, gospel workers must start at the very beginning. Ideally, they will win local leaders to the Lord, opening the way for all who follow them to do the same. Caste is an issue because most Nepali Christians are not from high-caste communities like the Terai Brahmins.

Prayer Points

Pray that the true God will reveal himself to this community and use Terai Brahmins to preach and teach about Christ throughout Nepal.
Pray that Brahmins will listen to Christian radio, view Christian films and become interested in Christian correspondence courses and the Bible itself.
Pray for Brahmin disciples to make more disciples among every Brahmin community in Nepal.

References