Lesson development in detail Competence area: Nepal, the Bible and us lesson 5 Lesson: Nepal's religion Objectives: After this lesson, the children know more about what people in Nepal believe. Time: Lesson can be as long as you like Content: Read Genesis 46: 1-7 Discuss what might have been the reason that Jacob was afraid to go to Egypt (other gods, other culture) and how it is in this world today. Are there other cultures and religions and what does that mean? Tell about the major religion of Nepal, ask what the children know about Hinduism already and explain a bit more (see additional information) Tell about the people who have become Christians in Nepal. Many became believers through healing and dreams. A number of years ago they were put in prison for their faith, now not any more. However lately there have been threats against Christians and one church was attacked. Pray in small groups for things going on in Nepal (information and prayer letter can be found on the website www.umn.org.np ) write points for prayer on your presentation together. Continue your fund raising activities. Ideas of how to present this lesson. Group discussion Prayer time Complete the presentation with prayer points. Make prayer cards in the shape of bookmarks and colour/ decorate them Action according to previous plans Ideas of practical assignments that can go with the content of this lesson homework, things they can do independently on their own or in a group to apply what they have learned in the classroom Depends on what your group action plan is Additional information that might be helpful for the teacher (please adjust for the children you work with) 1.1 Religious situation, including Nepali church The majority of Nepal's population is Hindu. The second most important religion is Buddhism. One of the unique features of Nepalese society, which has important implications for development, is that diverse ethnic groups and different religions have co-existed peacefully for centuries. Partly due to the common origin of religions, Hindus and Buddhists often worship in each other s temples, and elements of Hindu style internal hierarchy are sometimes found in theoretically egalitarian Buddhist groups. CARE Nepal Long Range Strategic Plan, 1999. From 2000 till 2006 there has been a civil war in Nepal. The war was between the Maoists and the government.a lot of peacefull coexistence has gotten lost and the country is still coming to terms with what it really means to live together peacefully. 1
There are no reliable data on the numbers of Nepali Christians. Current information estimates 500,000 to 750,000 (approx 2-3% of population). Observers estimate that for many years the numbers have doubled every 2-3 years, resulting in exponential growth. This rate of growth will inevitably slow down, but the level of the eventual plateau is hard to predict. Much of the rapid growth in recent years has been among responsive people groups such as Rais, Limbus and Tamangs. Other groups are unlikely to respond in such large numbers. Believers are heavily concentrated in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and in zones the Terai and Eastern Region. There are many districts in the mid and far west which still have not a single functioning church. Culturally and socially the church is struggling to identify what traditional practices or rituals should be maintained, and which must be left for the sake of the gospel. Controversy over these issues causes social disputes within and outside the Christian community. The Constitution of Nepal states that "no person shall be entitled to convert another person from one religion to another", and a 1992 law states that "no person shall propagate any religion in a manner likely to undermine another religion or convert anyone into another religion." However, there is freedom to preach within the framework of the Constitution. In Nepal, churches are not registered yet, but there is no legal problem to set up and register Nepali Christian NGOs. NCF-affiliated churches are able to initiate social action and development, and some are moving in this direction. The vast majority of Nepali pastors (even second-generation Christians) still understand mission as evangelism and churchplanting. They do not think of social development activities as "doing the Lord's work", although hospital work is more likely to be valued than most other types of social involvement. Based on conversations with staff of HDCS, INF and TEAM (2002), with additional material from Christian Hospitals Workshop (Feb 2001) and UMN Christian Identity Topic Team report (Feb 2002). 3.2 Caste Orthodox Hinduism has traditionally been the basis of state policy and of inter-ethnic relations, and the various caste and ethnic groups exist in a hiercarchical structure with high Hindu caste groups at its top. The two highest Hindu caste groups of Brahmin and Chhetri have traditionally exercised economic and political dominance in the society. One Tibeto- Burman group, the Newars, who mostly come from the agriculturally fertile valley of Kathmandu and have traditionally benefited from its commercial and political significance, also shares this advantage. Informal Sector Research and Study Centre, District Development Profile of Nepal, 2001. Life expectancy by caste/ethnic group varies from 50.8 years among untouchable castes to 61.4 years among Brahmins and 63.2 years among Newars. UNDP Nepal Human Development Report, 2001, p43. Eventhough the caste system officially doesn't exist anymore, in practice it is still very visible. When one asks a persons last name, one is asking his or her caste. Once one states his or her last name, one is put into a box as it were concerning level of education, type of job, income etc. The general consensus of opinion seems to be that, while ethnic issues are not at the centre of the conflict so far, there is room for them to become more central. If the ethnic dimension were to grow, conflict would increase markedly in the Terai as well as the hill areas. Security and Risk Management Report for DfID Nepal, February 2002. The population is basically divided into four groups: 2
Threading wearing caste The thread wearing caste occupies the highest position and is considered the upper caste. It is also said that they did well in their previous lives and so have been re born into the highest class family. They have very high status in the Nepali society. Hindu priests are selected from the thread wearing caste. Only priests can perform the religious activities. Originally for centuries, they were the warriors. Mongoloid The mongoloid are said to be drinking castes because they use alcoholic drinks in all the religious activities. They represent the more advanced groups of the agriculturists and they have lower status in comparison to the thread wearing caste. Originally they came from East India and Tibet. Touchable caste The thread wearing caste cannot accept water from them but if the touchable caste would touch them, they do no have to be repurified by sprinkling the water on themselves. Untouchable caste The untouchable caste is considered as the lowest caste from whom neither water can be accepted nor be touched. If they touch the upper caste, the person will become unholy so he needs to sprinkle water on himself to become holy again. This caste is not allowed to enter the temple nor the house of the upper caste so, they have the lowest status in the Nepali society. In Nepal, the untouchables face a lot of problems in their daily lives. The society ignores them in many kinds of social activities. These days people have changed their perception towards them and encourage them to participate in social affairs but the perception of the uneducated remains the same. A lot more can be said about Hinduism, and you can probably find a few good books (with pictures) in your library to explain some of the challenges Nepal faces in appropriate language to the children in your class www.umn.org.np Remarks Find a few books on Hinduism in your local library so children can get informed. Have paper and pens available to write prayer points on (get them from the UMN website). Coloured pencils for decorating the prayercards. 3
A god's annual trip through the town 4
buddhist temple 5
Giving Gifts at a Hindu wedding 6