The growth of Christianity in Nepal is primarily attributed to the efforts of native Nepali Christians rather than the missionary work conducted by foreign missionaries, although it was initially introduced by them. Due to governmental restrictions, missionaries mainly focused on social work, and it was the Nepali-speaking Christians from India who played a significant role in establishing churches and spreading the gospel, particularly in the capital area of Kathmandu. As the gospel resonated with Nepali people, they began sharing it, leading to rapid church growth nationwide.
Despite this growth, Nepali Christianity has placed relatively little emphasis on theology and its contextualization. While moral teachings are highlighted, the primary focus is on the cultural identity of their faith rather than its theology. Nepali Christians distinguish themselves from Hindus through clothing, jewelry, weddings, festivals, and funeral practices. The emphasis on differentiation from Hindu traditions is particularly notable, as most Nepali Christians have converted from Hinduism, Buddhism, or other folk practices, bringing elements of their previous faith into Christianity.
Several parallel Christian practices aligned with Nepali folk traditions are noteworthy:
- Church as the Temple: Nepali Christians, drawing from their Hindu-Buddhist background, consider the church a holy place similar to temples. The construction of church buildings is viewed as a righteous act, serving as a binding force for believers. The church is perceived as a sacred site, and believers are identified as attendees of this holy place.
- Fasting Prayer: Traditional Nepali practices involve fasting on specific days, particularly observed by women refraining from meals and taking baths. Nepali Christians find resonance between these practices and those in the Bible, particularly the fasting and prayer of Jesus. The first day of the month in the Nepali calendar is dedicated to women's fasting and prayer in Nepali churches, reflecting a merging of Christian and traditional practices.
- Carol Singing vs. Deusi Bhailo: While carol singing is a Christian tradition, Nepali Christians associate it with the traditional Nepali festival of Tihar. The similarity is noted, with some viewing carol singing as the Christian version of the Nepali Deusi Bhailo, a tradition during the Tihar festival.
- Christmas vs. Dashain as Bada Din: Nepali Christians consider Christmas their "bada-din" or great day, akin to the importance of Dashain among traditional Nepali festivals. Despite not participating in the traditional Dashain festival, Nepali Christians celebrate Christmas as their significant day, analogous to the joyful time Dashain represents in Nepali society.
- Jaimashi - Christian Greetings: "Jaimashi" or "Jaymashi," translating to the victory of Jesus, serves as an indigenous Christian greeting in Nepal. It was created to distinguish Christians from the wider Nepali population. Although seeking to distance themselves from traditional beliefs by using "Jaimashi" instead of the traditional "Namaste" or "Namaskar" greetings associated with Hinduism, Nepali Christians maintain the hand-joining gesture during greetings.
While Nepali Christians aim to create a distinct identity by contrasting their practices with traditional ones, the inevitable contextualization of Christian beliefs in Nepal leads to the retention of certain elements reminiscent of their cultural heritage.
-Pabitra Mani Bhandari