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Roman Catholic Brahmin
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_catholic_brahmin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Brahmin (RCB) also referred to as “Bamon” in Konkani, are a caste of modern day descendants of Brahmin converts to Roman Catholicism. As such, it is considered by some to be a Brahmin sub-caste which practises Christianity. The origins of this particular community can be traced back to the first Portuguese missionaries who arrived in India in the early 15th century to spread the message of Christianity. It was during this period that the missionaries converted the very first Hindu brahmins to the Christian faith. The RCB are usually found in Goa and along the west coast region of Karnataka, particularly the South Canara region and encompassing the districts of Mangalore, Udupi, Karkal, etc.
The origins of Roman Catholic Brahmin community (RCB) can be attributed to the Portuguese Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries who landed on the Indian west coast mainly Cochin and nearby coastal regions in the early 15th century. They started prosletyzing to the locals and converted many of them to Christianity. The fact that the Portuguese colonized Goa even during the British rule as late as 1961 may have helped this community in practicing the established traditions and norms which were followed for many generations.
It is widely regarded that Roberto de Nobili (1577-1656 A.D) was the first missionary who was instrumental in converting several Hindu Brahmins to the Christian faith. Roberto de Nobili came to India along with the very first missionaries to Goa to spread Roman Catholicism. He started by converting low caste people and soon found that converted Goans were Christians only for name sake and most of them came from very poor family and had no inclination to lead a pious life. Hence he went to Madurai–The temple city, which was a great cultural center to understand more about hinduism so that it would help him better in converting these people to Christianity.
He began learning Sanskrit, Tamil as well as various Hindu manners, customs and also the vedic scriptures. He found very close resemblance between life of Hindu monks and Christian missionaries. He tried to convince the locals that he himself was an ascetic having given up all worldly attachments. But people were not convinced. They thought all “firangis” (foreigners) were unclean, ate beef and drank liquor. Roberto had a tough time. He was convinced that converting only the poorest brought no credit to Christianity. He had great admiration for brahmins, who were very much respected in society and thought converting some brahmin scholars will help him serve his mission better.
However it was not easy to convert brahmin scholars easily to Christianity since they were deep rooted in that religion and practiced it strictly. Hence Roberto himself learned the Vedas, and he started to debate with Hindu Brahmin scholars often arguing the good virtues of Christianity. He often used the very strengths of Hinduism to lead them to the cross.
He started wearing ochre-robes, wooden shoes[1], gave up meat and carried danda (stick) and kamandalu (water jug) like a Hindu monk. Started wearing Gandha (Sandal paste) and shaved his head. But he was careful enough to obtain prior permission from Archbishop stationed at Crangnoor. He engaged a Brahmin cook, ate only rice and vegetables and started sleeping on the floor. He spent time studying Sanskrit and holy books besides writing Christian psalms and prayers in Tamil. Opened a school of catechism and slowly started introducing Christian theology. He became an “Iyer” (preceptor) to local people who started venerating him for his austere life, kind manners and healing powers which he had acquired modestly.
He did not criticize the customs like Sati, which were outrageous to foreign eyes. In fact, he was an eyewitness to the scene of four hundred women committing Sati on the death of Nayaka of Madurai. He actually praised the extraordinary courage and steadfastness of these women
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_catholic_brahmin
I love Jesus and Mary as I do love Buddha and Krishna
Thanks
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_catholic_brahmin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Brahmin (RCB) also referred to as “Bamon” in Konkani, are a caste of modern day descendants of Brahmin converts to Roman Catholicism. As such, it is considered by some to be a Brahmin sub-caste which practises Christianity. The origins of this particular community can be traced back to the first Portuguese missionaries who arrived in India in the early 15th century to spread the message of Christianity. It was during this period that the missionaries converted the very first Hindu brahmins to the Christian faith. The RCB are usually found in Goa and along the west coast region of Karnataka, particularly the South Canara region and encompassing the districts of Mangalore, Udupi, Karkal, etc.
The origins of Roman Catholic Brahmin community (RCB) can be attributed to the Portuguese Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries who landed on the Indian west coast mainly Cochin and nearby coastal regions in the early 15th century. They started prosletyzing to the locals and converted many of them to Christianity. The fact that the Portuguese colonized Goa even during the British rule as late as 1961 may have helped this community in practicing the established traditions and norms which were followed for many generations.
It is widely regarded that Roberto de Nobili (1577-1656 A.D) was the first missionary who was instrumental in converting several Hindu Brahmins to the Christian faith. Roberto de Nobili came to India along with the very first missionaries to Goa to spread Roman Catholicism. He started by converting low caste people and soon found that converted Goans were Christians only for name sake and most of them came from very poor family and had no inclination to lead a pious life. Hence he went to Madurai–The temple city, which was a great cultural center to understand more about hinduism so that it would help him better in converting these people to Christianity.
He began learning Sanskrit, Tamil as well as various Hindu manners, customs and also the vedic scriptures. He found very close resemblance between life of Hindu monks and Christian missionaries. He tried to convince the locals that he himself was an ascetic having given up all worldly attachments. But people were not convinced. They thought all “firangis” (foreigners) were unclean, ate beef and drank liquor. Roberto had a tough time. He was convinced that converting only the poorest brought no credit to Christianity. He had great admiration for brahmins, who were very much respected in society and thought converting some brahmin scholars will help him serve his mission better.
However it was not easy to convert brahmin scholars easily to Christianity since they were deep rooted in that religion and practiced it strictly. Hence Roberto himself learned the Vedas, and he started to debate with Hindu Brahmin scholars often arguing the good virtues of Christianity. He often used the very strengths of Hinduism to lead them to the cross.
He started wearing ochre-robes, wooden shoes[1], gave up meat and carried danda (stick) and kamandalu (water jug) like a Hindu monk. Started wearing Gandha (Sandal paste) and shaved his head. But he was careful enough to obtain prior permission from Archbishop stationed at Crangnoor. He engaged a Brahmin cook, ate only rice and vegetables and started sleeping on the floor. He spent time studying Sanskrit and holy books besides writing Christian psalms and prayers in Tamil. Opened a school of catechism and slowly started introducing Christian theology. He became an “Iyer” (preceptor) to local people who started venerating him for his austere life, kind manners and healing powers which he had acquired modestly.
He did not criticize the customs like Sati, which were outrageous to foreign eyes. In fact, he was an eyewitness to the scene of four hundred women committing Sati on the death of Nayaka of Madurai. He actually praised the extraordinary courage and steadfastness of these women
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_catholic_brahmin
I love Jesus and Mary as I do love Buddha and Krishna
Thanks