Page 52 - 08_Social_Studies and Population Education Book 8_2078 Revised and Updated Edition

Lesson

2 RELIGIONS OF NEPAL

An institutional practice of improving habits and characters for making a
better life is known as religion. Religion teaches us how to live our life with

moral values. It guides us and shows us the way to control our weaknesses
and improve our thinking and the way of living. There is religious tolerance
among the various religious groups in Nepal. Religious tolerance is the

system of respecting all religious group equally. Everybody participates in
each other’s religious activities. Nepal was declared a secular state on 4 Jestha,
th
2063 BS and it is also recognized by the Constitution of Nepal. Secularism
is the belief that religion should not play a role in government, education, or
other public parts of society. The government is neutral in term of religion in

secularism. The religions that are mainly practiced in Nepal are as follows:

Hinduism

Hinduism is the oldest religion
which has been followed since the
ancient time. So it is called Sanatan
religion. Hindu people believe that

god is present in different forms
and avatar. They believe that our
good deeds take us to heaven
whereas our bad deeds push us to

hell. Hindu practices include daily Pashupatinath
rituals such as puja and recitations,
annual festivals and occasional pilgrimages. It teaches us to be truthful,
sympathetic, helpful, honest, and possess good behavior. Pashupatinath is one

of the most famous Hindu temples of Nepal. It attracts many pilgrims from
various part of the world. The major religious books of Hinduism are Vedas,
Puraan, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Geeta, etc. Dashain, Tihar, Chhath, Holi, etc
are the main festivals observed by Hindus.

52 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 8