Sikhism - the Fifth Largest Religion in the World - Essay Example

Sikhism. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world, with about 23 million followers, of which nineteen million are concentrated in the Indian State of Punjab (Religion Facts Web site). The origins of Sikhism have been subjected to various interpretations, but historians generally concur that Sikhism had its’ roots in the Bhakthi Movement of medieval India, which again can be traced to the ancient Hindu Vedas and Upanishads. The Bhakthi Movement, centered round ardent devotion to God, influenced both Hinduism and Sufi Islam and Sikhism is believed to be a synthesis of these two, evolving into a unique religion in the sixteenth century (Gateway to Sikhism Web site). Some Sikhs believe their religion to be a purified Hinduism, but most consider it to be a direct revelation from God, with no connection to any other religion (Robinson, 2005). Whatever be its’ origins, Sikhism has emerged as a religion in its’ own right, with its’ unique history, beliefs, prayers, practices and concept of God. The word ‘Sikh’ in Punjabi is defined as ‘disciple’ and connotes a disciple of God. ‘Guru’ is a Sanskrit word for teacher. In Sikhism, the Gurus are considered to be Enlightened Masters. The Reht Maryada, the official Sikh Code of Conduct, defines a Sikh as any man or woman who believes in One Immortal Being, the ten Gurus, the Guru Granth Sahib- the holy book of the Sikhs, the teachings of the Gurus and the baptism introduced by the tenth Guru and does not owe allegiance to any other religion. The history of Sikhism is mirrored in the life of its’ Gurus. The first Guru was Guru Nanak Dev (1469 – 1539), who founded the Sikh religion. He was born into a Hindu family. He attained enlightenment at the age of thirty, while bathing in the river Bain and proclaimed the immortal words, “There is no Hindu, no Muslim.” He traveled extensively through the Indian subcontinent and the Persian Gulf, spreading his message of one, true God through the medium of hymns and stories that would reach the common people. He was followed by Guru Angad Dev (1504 – 1552), who popularized the Gurmukhi script among the Sikhs and advocated a casteless society. He was succeeded by Guru Amar Das (1479 – 1574), who institutionalized the free Sikh communal kitchen, or langar, opposed the subjugation of women through the purdah and sati and supported widow remarriage. Through trained apostles, called Masands, he spread Sikhism throughout the country. The Fourth Master was Guru Ram Das (1534 – 1581), who founded the holy city of Amritsar. His son Guru Arjan Dev (1563 – 1606) laid the foundation of the Harminder Sahib, or Golden Temple in Amritsar. He compiled the first edition of the Guru Granth Sahib, including the writings of all the preceding Gurus and also of other Hindu and Muslim saints. He was tortured and put to death as a heretic by the Mughal Emperor, Jehangir. Guru Arjan Dev’s son, Hargobind (1595 - 1644), was the next Guru. He wore two swords, symbolizing temporal and spiritual authority and built a new temple, the Akal Takht, in Amritsar. In response to Mughal persecution and the martyrdom of his father, her introduced militancy into Sikhism and maintained armed troops and horses. The Sikh forces defeated the Mughals at the Battle of Kartapur. The next Guru was his grandson, Guru Har Rai (1630 – 1661), who further consolidated Sikhism. The Eighth Master, Guru Harkishan (1656 – 1664), was followed by Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621 – 1675), who founded the town of Anandpur Sahib and traveled extensively, propagating Sikhism. Opposing the Mughal Emperor Aurangezeb’s assault on Hinduism, the Guru was tortured and beheaded. The tenth and last Guru was Guru Gobind Singh (1686 – 1708), who established the Sikhs as saint-soldiers after baptism into the army of the Khalsa, or Pure, and waged war against the Mughals. He updated the Guru Granth Sahib and declared it to be the eleventh Guru, replacing the lineage of living Gurus (Brar, 2003). The Guru Granth Sahib, or Adi Granth, is the ultimate religious authority of Sikhism and is considered a living Guru. The book, in ornate Gurmukhi script, is kept on a throne, under a ceremonial umbrella, covered with a decorative covering, called Rumala. An ornamental whisk, or fan, called the chauri, usually made of yak tail hair, is waved over it during readings. Devotees approach the Guru Granth Sahib, barefooted, with covered heads and prostrate themselves before it. The Sikhs adhere to the Five Ks established by Guru Gobind Singh, when he established the Khalsa in 1699, symbolizing their allegiance to Sikhism: the Kesh is uncut hair, representing acceptance of God’s will- this necessitates the distinctive Sikh turban; Kacch refers to a pair of white cotton shorts, worn as undergarments, connoting moral strength and chastity; Kara is a steel bracelet which signifies loyalty to God; Kangha is a wooden comb, representing personal hygiene; the Kirpan is a steel dagger symbolizing resistance to evil. Another emblem of Sikh identity is the Sikh flag, called the ‘Nishan Sahib,’ a triangular saffron pennant bearing the ‘Khanda’ symbol, or the ‘ikomkar,’ in which Guru Nanak combined the Hindu mystic ‘om’ with ik – one and kar – creator. Sikhism upholds the Hindu belief in the transmigration of souls and karma. It advocates a life of discipline and moderation, leading to union with God, whose will is reflected in the teachings of the Gurus. The life of a householder is the ideal condition in life which strives to balance work, worship and charity. Community feeling is strong, and the Gurudwara, or Sikh temple plays a significant role (Religion Facts Web site). Sikhism abhors blind superstition and advocates service, or seva, to others. This community service often takes the form of work at the gurudwara or langar. The three primary duties of a Sikh are Nam Japa – remembering God through prayer; Kirt Karna – working at earning an honest livelihood; Vand Chhakna – contributing a part of one’s earnings to charity (BBC Web site). The Sikh prayers are the hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib and, if possible, are recited in the Gurudwara, before the holy book. The daily ritual prayers are the morning Japa, or a long hymn by Guru Nanak, the evening So-Daru or Rahaas, with nine hymns of the other Gurus and the bedtime Kirtan Sohila, comprised of five hymns. Prayers accompany all special events in life and can be conducted by any Sikh, irrespective of sex and age, without any officiating priests. The prayers commence with an invocation to God and the Gurus and end with the invoking of God’s grace on all mankind. Sikh ceremonies are simple, religious in tone and held at the Gurudwara, before the Guru Granth Sahib. Kirtans, or hymns, are sung, formal prayer, or Ardas, are recited and Karah Prasad, a sweet dish, is distributed. The Nam Karan, or Naming Ceremony, is held within forty days of a child’s birth. The Granth is opened at random and the first letter of the first word of that hymn is taken for the initial letter of the baby’s name. The Amrit Sanskar is the formal ceremony of initiation or baptism into the Khalsa. The eligible aspirants are instructed by five members of the Khalsa on the tenets of Sikhism and then administered Amrit, or sugar syrup, as a sign of their admission into the Khalsa. The Dastar Band, or turban tying ceremony, is usually conducted formally when the boy is 11 – 16 years old and is considered of great significance. The Sikh Marriage Ceremony, or Anand Sanskar, is conducted by any respected Sikh. After hymns and prayers and guidance about marital obligations, the couple is linked with a pink or saffron scarf, Guru Ramdas’ Lavan, or wedding song, is recited and the couple circumambulates the Guru Granth Sahib. The Sikh Funeral Ceremony is called the Antam Sanskar. The Sukhmani Sahib, or Psalm of Peace, is recited at the deathbed, the body is cremated with the singing of the Kirtan Sohila, the ashes are immersed in a river and the Guru Granth Sahib is read at home on the tenth day (Gateway to Sikhism Web site). The Sikh festivals are the Gurupurbs, or important anniversaries of the Gurus, which are marked by Akhand Path, or the uninterrupted, complete reading of the Guru Granth Sahib and processions with the Nishan Sahib. Baisakhi, on April 13, is celebrated as the day of founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh. Diwali is celebrated along with the Hindus by lighting lamps. Maghi, on January 14, commemorates the martyrdom of Sikhs to the Mughals (Brar, 2003). The Sikh conception of the ultimate reality is that of a monotheistic God, who has no form, but countless names and can be reached through meditation. Guru Nanak’s first hymn, the ‘Mool Mantar,’ asserts that there is only one self-existent, immortal, fearless God, who is the Creator and the truth and worthy of worship and is beyond life and death and hate (Robinson, 2005). The Sikh conception of God is personal and union with him is the transcendent purpose of life, which can be achieved through devotion to God, as exemplified by virtuous living. Every Sikh has direct access to God and salvation lies in God’s grace. Sikhs believe that God is present in every person and the visible world itself is a manifestation of God (BBC Web site). In the words of Pearl S. Buck, Sikh beliefs “speak to a person of any religion, or none. They speak to the human heart and the searching mind” (Robinson, 2005). Sikhism is less a religion than a way of life. Its’ emergence as a peaceful middle ground in the ages of Hindu – Muslim conflict, with a philosophy that emphasized religious tolerance, continues to be relevant in the strife torn world of today. Works Cited. Brar, Sandeep Singh. 2003. The Sikhism Home Page. 17 April 2007. < http://www.sikhs.org/topics.htm > BBC Web site. 2007. Religion and Ethics – Sikhism. 17 April 2007. < http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism > Gateway to Sikhism Web site. 2007 All About Sikhs. 17 April 2007. < http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/sikh-history/historical-sikh-events.html > Religion Facts Web site. 2007. Sikhism. 17 April 2007. < http://www.religionfacts.com/sikhism/index.htm > Robinson, B.A. 19 December, 2005. Sikhism. Religious Tolerance Web site. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. 17 April 2007. < http://www.religioustolerance.org/sikhism.htm > Read More