People and Culture - Nepal - page 58

thinking among Hindus that greatly influences their everyday
lives and actions.
The caste system is associated primarily with the Hindu
religion. As previously noted, this rigid system defines one's
rights by birth. One is born into one's caste. Caste determines
each person's dharma (way of living), including his or her
behavior, duties, and expectations. It further prescribes one's
social, economic, religious, and political position, as well as
the way one interacts with members of other castes. Caste sta-
tus cannot be changed; it remains throughout one's lifetime.
However, violation of one's obligations can cause descendants
to be born into a lower caste. Today, the caste systemﾭwhich
was outlawed more than a half century agoﾭis beginning to
change. Particularly in cities, people's beliefs and actions are
increasingly influenced by education, modernity, and West-
ern culture.
Constitutionally, Nepal was the world's only Hindu King-
dom until 2006. The king of Nepal was said to be an avatar
of Lord Vishnu and the patron (protector) of the Hindu faith
worldwide. In May 2006, however, the Nepalese Parliament
voted to turn Nepal into a secular country, thereby ending the
special Hindu Kingdom status. The difficult decision was one
of several that the government made to coax the Maoist rebels
to peacefully join the political process.
Other than family, religion is the most important element
of Nepalese society and the daily life of the country's people.
It is a beautiful and complex tapestry that has been shaped by
many influences. In Nepal, Hinduism, Buddhism, and several
other religious beliefs have been intertwined to create a faith
that is unique to the country. Most people, for example, openly
practice traits associated with both Buddhism and Hinduism.
Nepal is unique in that few countries can match its religious
harmony and tolerance.
Nepalese people worship different gods and goddesses at
different times, and for a variety of reasons. Each family may