Bhotia Tibetan in Nepal


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

In March of 1959, 100,000 Tibetans fled from Tibet into Nepal, Bhutan, and India as a result of the communist Chinese occupation. Today many Tibetan refugees still live in these countries. A small group of the Tibetan Bhotia people found their way to Nepal. The large majority of Tibetans reside in China and India. Tibetans are proud of their distinct heritage. In fact, most of them have not assimilated culturally into the nations where they have settled but have maintained their traditional practices and language. However, many Tibetans, especially the youth, have been influenced by Western cultures. Tibetan Buddhism dominates the culture of the Tibetans who live in Nepal. They worship and serve the Dalai Lama, considering him a god. He serves as both their spiritual and political leader. Tibetans are dedicated to their religious beliefs. Prayer flags, stupas (dome-shaped monuments used to house Buddhist relics), prayer beads, and prayer wheels are a common sight all over the Himalayan region. The Bhotia speak the Central Tibetan language. Both the JESUS Film and a complete Bible are available in Central Tibetan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The traditional occupations of the Bhotia in Nepal are animal husbandry and agriculture. Most Bhotia of Nepal live in villages high in the Himalayan Mountains. Women weave and sell woolen blankets and carpets for cash. During the short mountain summers, the Bhotia grow potatoes, barley, wheat, and vegetables. The meat and dairy products of their yaks and goats are eaten or sold to buy items they cannot make for themselves such as cell phones. Tibetan women usually wear chubas, or striped aprons, over ankle-length, wrapped dresses. Their responsibilities include caring for the children, preparing the food, and tending to other domestic duties, while the men do the bulk of the work outside the home. They raise and protect the animals belonging to the family and village. The extended family, which often consists of three generations, is the most important functioning kinship group among Bhotia. Although they tend to dote on their children, they believe in strong discipline and religious instruction. Tibetan society is patrilineal, which means that inheritances and family names are passed down through the males. Family names are also used to differentiate those of noble origin from others. A man may have up to three wives. Most men have only one wife. The Bhotia generally marry within their group. Traditional Tibetan art focuses on religious worship and includes sculptures, statues, scroll paintings of deities, carved altars, and religious texts.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bhotia follow Tibetan Buddhism, also known as Lamaism. This branch of Buddhism was developed in Tibet during the seventh century. It eventually spread throughout the entire Himalayan region. Some of the characteristic features of Tibetan Buddhism include: its ready acceptance of the Buddhist religious writings as a true revelation of the Buddhist way; its emphasis on the master/disciple relationship; its recognition of a huge number of gods, saints, and demons; and finally, the marked piety of its followers. They express their devotion by giving offerings, spinning prayer wheels, making pilgrimages to holy sites, and chanting spells called mantras. Tibetans have reverence for their ancestors and believe in animistic spirits in nature. Tibetan Buddhists believe in reincarnation meaning that when the body dies, the soul is reborn as either an animal or a human. They also believe that every action influences how the soul will be born in the next life. Such teachings have caused them to live their lives in bondage and fear. If the spirits of nature or their ancestors are offended, these spirits may bring avalanches or disease to the Bhotia people or their animals.


What Are Their Needs?

Nepal has long been hidden away and forgotten by most of the world. The government of Nepal is opposed to any form of evangelization so there are high level restrictions. There are more problems from family members than from the government for those who decide to follow Christ. Although many of the Nepali Tibetans have heard the name of Jesus and have some awareness of Christianity, they still do not have a clear concept of the gospel. As a whole they remain antagonistic and resistant to any type of witness. The demonic side of Tibetan Buddhism is very real and can only be battled through prayer.


Prayer Points

Pray that the doors of Nepal will soon open to missionaries. Ask God to encourage and protect the few known Tibetan Christian believers in Nepal. Pray that these believers will have opportunities to share Christ with their families and neighbors. Pray that God will set these Buddhists free from the bondage of fear of evil spirits. Ask the Lord to raise up a network of strong local churches among the Tibetans of Nepal.


Scripture Prayers for the Tibetan, Bhotia in Nepal.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

The Waiting World - The Tibetan

Source:  The Waiting World      Download

People Name General Tibetan
People Name in Country Tibetan, Bhotia
Natural Name Bhotia Tibetan
Pronunciation BOH-tee-ah ti-BEH-ten
Alternate Names Bhokha; Bhote; Dalai; Dbus; Dbustsang; Lhasa; Lhasa Tibetan; Llasa; Phoke; Pohbetian; Tebilian; Tibate; Tseku; U; Wei; Weizang; Zang; टिबेटन
Population this Country 3,100
Population all Countries 1,134,000
Total Countries 14
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 15468
ROP3 Code 110033
ROP25 Code 308145
ROP25 Name Tibetan
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Kathmandu and Pokhara.   Source:  www.ethnologue.com
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Bagmati
2,900
Sagarmatha
100
Mahakali
60
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Kathmandu and Pokhara..   Source:  www.ethnologue.com
Total States 3
  Bagmati 2,900
  Sagarmatha 100
  Mahakali 60
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
97.91 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
2.09 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Tibetan, Central (2,500 speakers)
Language Code bod   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Nepali
200
Primary Language Tibetan, Central (2,500 speakers)
Language Code bod   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Nepali 200
People Groups Speaking Tibetan, Central

Primary Language:  Tibetan, Central

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1862-1991)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1885-1973)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1948-2023)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tibetan, Central Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tibetan, Central YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Tibetan, Central YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Photo Source szyj351 - Pixabay 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Video Source The Waiting World
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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