Bhabra (Jain traditions) in India

People Name:	Bhabra (Jain traditions)
Country:	India
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	32,000
World Population:	32,000
Primary Language:	Punjabi, Eastern
Primary Religion:	Other / Small
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Bhabra are an ancient merchant class, which originated in Persia. Most Hindu and Jain Bhabra moved to India during the 1947 Partition and were merchants and businessmen. Today they live in India's northwestern states of Punjab and Rajasthan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

As a merchant community, Jain Bhabras are usually well-educated. Commonly they take business classes, but much of their training comes at a family level. Much of their time is devoted to making business deals, either at the local or international level. Many are wealthy.

Jainism affects their business ethics in a positive way. They practice strict ethical and nonviolent principles.

Jain Bhabras maintain strong family and community bonds that improve their quality of life. Finding marriage partners is challenging since they are part of a minority religion.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bhabra community has had a close historical association with Jainism, the practice of causing as little harm as possible to all living things. Their belief in a many-sided reality means that truth is too complex to adequately communicate. As Jains, the Bhabra people don't understand that there is definite truth, and Jesus Christ is the truth who can set them free from religion and righteousness by works.

What Are Their Needs?

No matter what their religious affiliation, the Bhabras have very few opportunities to hear about the saving power of Jesus Christ. That is especially true for people in Rajasthan, a state with a miniscule Christian population.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to give Jain Bhabra teachable and understanding hearts.
Pray that a strong movement of the Holy Spirit would bring entire Bhabra families into a rich experience of God's blessing.
Pray for teams of believers to do sustained, focused prayer, asking the Lord to open the hearts of Bhabra family leaders to experience a movement to Christ.

References