[razoroccam]

Aren't the majority of Nepalese "Hindu"? How do they reconcile between "Hinduism" and Maoist philosophies, which basically erodes their entire culture?

[sagar]

In Nepal, the religious term Hindu or Buddhist is based on caste/ethnicity. Except Kathmandu valley, which can be considered Hindu based on the Hindu cultural prominence there over the centuries, most of villages are virtually free of religion. It is all about caste/ethnicity. Most Paharis are Hindus by ethnic affiliation(migrated from Kumaon region after all), most Madeshis are Hindus(they migrated relatively recently from Indian plains), and most Bhots are Buddhists(migrated from Tibet after all).

Frankly, I didn't know I was hindu until I get here in the US! :o Although, now it is changing because of the visits by Indian Hindu missionaries who assert Indian brand of Hinduism(vegan lifestyle, etc). Nepalese Hindus are tantric and do not hesitate to eat sacrificed animals. A lot of sacrifice going on in festivals. That is shocking to Indian Hindus, I'm sure.

And also Christian missionaries are very active. A lot of villages especially in high mountains have become Christians. There are also some Muslims, especially Kashmiris and others who came from India.

Except for the culturally distinct Christians and Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists are quite intertwined. Only thing that is certain is caste, and trust me even the poorest villager living on top of a mountain knows his caste.

Maoists play on anti-caste line, especially anti-upper castes, and are known to kidnap uppercaste children from schools. But rest assured, 60% of Maoist leadership is made up of brahmans. Perhaps it is guilt of being upper castes, or simply they really believe in Maoism, a lot of intellectual brahmans are into Maoism. It is the other upper and middle castes such as landlords who are anti-Maoist. The top 2 maoist leaders are brahmans.

Baburam in his typical commie cap

And Prachanda, the ringleader of the maoist cabal