Mundhumism: Beyond Religion and Dharma
Dr. Nawa Raj Subba
Brief Introduction
The present article provides a comparative analysis of the Kirat community’s original thought and way of life, ‘Mundhumism’, with the concepts of ‘religion’ and ‘dharma’ that are prevalent worldwide. Although Kirat Mundhumism is often viewed as an institutional religion or philosophical religion, its basic character is different and unique from both of these.
The main objective of the study is to substantiate on philosophical and practical grounds why Mundhumism is an ‘organic’ or natural way of life. In the course of the analysis, primitive ancestral concepts such as Yuma-Theba, prevalent in the Limbu community, and Sumnima-Paruhang of the Rai community are kept at the centre. Whereas Western ‘religion’ emphasises a certain divine text and institutional structure, and Eastern ‘religion’ explains cosmic laws and the cycle of karma, Mundhumism directly unites human existence with its ‘ancestry’ and ‘nature’.
This article presents three main arguments for considering Mundhumism as ‘organic’:
1. The relationship between soil and plants: Ingredients such as ginger, fenugreek, and bitter melon used in Kirat rituals show a deep connection to the biological cycles of nature.
2. The Hearth Philosophy: Considering the three-stone hearth of the home as the centre makes it clear that this philosophy is based on the basic needs of human life and family continuity.
3. Ancestor-Nature Axis: In this philosophy, God is not some distant supernatural force but one’s own primitive ancestors and the surrounding environment (forests, rivers, mountains).
In conclusion, Mundhumism is not an imported or manufactured idea but a vibrant ‘organic’ path that has spontaneously evolved along with the historical development of Kirati civilisation. It provides the modern world with an original vision of living in balance with nature and taking pride in its historical identity.
