Rigzong in India


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

Introduction / History

The Tibetan Buddhist Rigzong people live in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. Their homeland straddles the disputed area where Indian and Pakistani forces clash. Most of them live on the Indian side of the border.


What Are Their Lives Like?

We know very little about the lifestyle of the Rigzong people. Most likely they tend livestock like many of the other peoples in Kashmir. Their communities are in danger when Indian and Pakistani troops face off in this mountainous land.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Rigzong practice Buddhism, the major world religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama or the Buddha, who lived in the 6th and 5th century BC in ancient India. The Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths by which one can gain spiritual knowledge and escape the endless cycles of reincarnation. Theravada, one of the two major branches of Buddhism, declares that by following the Noble Eightfold Path of right intentions and right actions that a Buddhist can achieve nirvana or a state of freedom and salvation. Mahayana Buddhism, the other main branch of Buddhism, asserts that by following the six perfections that a Buddhist can move along the path to Enlightenment. Tibetan Buddhism falls within the Mahayana school. However, Tibetan Buddhists like the Rigzong people blend the shamanistic bon religion with their form of Buddhism.


What Are Their Needs?

The Rigzong people need to be given the chance to hear the life-changing gospel so they can enjoy life to the full.


Prayer Points

Pray for loving gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Rigzong people for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing the hearts of these people would be open and ready to follow him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended families so the gospel will spread rapidly.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Rigzong people to become fruitful so others will be drawn to Jesus Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Rigzong in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Rigzong
People Name in Country Rigzong
Alternate Names रग़ज़ोंग
Population this Country 8,400
Population all Countries 10,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17967
ROP3 Code 113456
ROP25 Code 307014
ROP25 Name Rigzong
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Ladakh
6,300
Jammu and Kashmir
1,700
Himachal Pradesh
400
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 3
  Ladakh 6,300
  Jammu and Kashmir 1,700
  Himachal Pradesh 400
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
100.00 %
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
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Ladakhi (3,400 speakers)
Language Code lbj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Zangskari
1,900
Kashmiri
1,600
Purig
200
Primary Language Ladakhi (3,400 speakers)
Language Code lbj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Zangskari 1,900
  Kashmiri 1,600
  Purig 200
People Groups Speaking Ladakhi
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Joe Kirkendall 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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