Shan in India
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Shan |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 1,400 |
| World Population: | 1,400 |
| Primary Language: | Shan |
| Primary Religion: | Buddhism |
| Christian Adherents: | 1.55 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Shan |
| Affinity Bloc: | Southeast Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Shan is an ethnic group in the east Asian countries of China, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. A small number live in the northeastern states of India.
What Are Their Lives Like?
We know very little about how they live in India.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Even living in a Hindu culture, the Shan retain their Buddhist beliefs. Buddhism is 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.
To most Buddhists, however, these things have far less meaning than their traditional beliefs, which are usually animistic. In animism, evil spirits must be appeased through prayers, sacrifices and rituals. Buddhism allows people to mix Buddhist teachings with traditional religion.
Two of the important Buddhist yearly holidays are Vesak, the Buddha's birthday celebrated in May or June and Bodhi Day, the holiday which commemorates the day that the historical Buddha experienced enlightenment under a Bodhi tree.
What Are Their Needs?
These people need to realize that they cannot please God without being empowered by the Holy Spirit. They cannot have the Holy Spirit without Jesus Christ.
Prayer Points
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Shan communities.
Pray for the Shan people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Shan people to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers disciples to make more disciples.