Brahmin is the highest of the four Hindu varnas or types of caste communities. The English word Brahmin is an anglicised form of the Sanskrit word brahmana. Brahman refers to the "supreme self" in Hinduism or the first of the four major Hindu gods whereas Brahmin refers to an individual.
Brahmins typically have early morning devotional times which they call pujas which involve prayer, meditation and making offerings their deities. Though they originated as the priestly varna, today only certain subsets of Brahmins are still involved in priestly duties for others such as teaching, preaching or performing public rituals.
The religious training of Brahmins prepares them well for advanced mathematics. In today's world, the top positions in such areas as computer programming, business, and politics are often filled by Brahmins.
The Radhi Brahmins are mainly in India's state of West Bengal, which is adjacent to Bangladesh. Some of them live further east in this predominantly Muslim country. Those who live in Muslim countries do not enjoy the high status they have in Hindu lands.
For the Radhi Brahmins, some own land and farm it, and a smaller number are businessmen. Though Brahmins have their origins as priests and gurus, the Radhi are occupied in other areas in today's world.
The Radhi Brahmins worship such deities as Manasa, Lakshmi, Kamaleshwari, Ganesh, and Kali. The history of the Brahmins is associated with the Vedic religion of early Hinduism. The Vedas are the primary source for Brahmin practices.
Since they have the highest status of any Hindu varna, Brahmins believe that they have everything to lose by "converting" to another religious system. A Brahmin believes he is on the verge of reaching nirvana if he earns good karma in this life by doing what he is supposed to do. He believes that it took thousands of years of being reincarnated to reach the high state he now enjoys. Switching to a "different God" would surely result in an inferior reincarnation after he dies. To reach them for Christ someone will have to enter their world and learn how to communicate in the Brahmin way.
High caste communities often have pride in their status, and pride is an enemy of faith.
Brahmins are the key community who uphold Hinduism. Pray that the light of the gospel breaks through the veil that blinds this community.
Pray that the true God will reveal Himself to this community and use Brahmins to preach and teach about Jesus Christ.
Pray for a disciple making movement to flourish among every Brahmin community.
Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Radhi in Bangladesh.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengali_Brahmins
http://www.brahminpedia.com/2011/03/on-kulina-system-among-radhi-brahmins_22.html
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/16521/BG
http://www.islamicvoice.com/january.97/feat5.htm
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
Brahmin of India profile for Children and Family Missions Activities |
People Name General | Brahmin Radhi |
People Name in Country | Brahmin Radhi |
Natural Name | Radhi Brahmin |
Pronunciation |
RAH-dee BRAH-min
|
Alternate Names | Brahman Terai; Brahmin Terai; Rarhi; ब्रह्मन, ऋधि |
Population this Country | 51,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,968,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 19972 |
ROP3 Code | 115753 |
Country | Bangladesh | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | 30 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||
Total States on file | 7 | |||||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Bangladesh |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 30 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 7 |
Dhaka 20,000 | |
Rangpur 6,700 | |
Khulna 6,700 | |
Sylhet 6,600 | |
Chittagong 5,000 | |
Rajshahi 2,500 | |
Barisal 2,100 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
100.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Bangladesh census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Bengali (45,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | ben Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Bengali (45,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ben Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 3 |
Secondary Languages | |
Sylheti 5,700 | |
Chittagonian 300 | |
People Groups | Speaking Bengali |
Primary Language: Bengali
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1800-1980) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1801-1984) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1809-2022) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Copyrighted © 2023 Isudas All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |