World Religions

CHAPTER SEVEN:

Sikhism

Fundamental questions

1. What is the human condition?• All living beings were created by God.• Through maya (illusion) and haumai (ego-centredness), jot (the divine spark) is not realized

and therefore human beings remain focused on their “man” or baser emotions summarized in the five vices of kam (lust), lobh (covetousness), moh (attachment), krodh (anger) and ahankar(pride)

• The condition is known as manmukh (the follower of the ego), as opposed to gurmukh (one who is focused on God and lives by the teachings of the gurus)

2. Where are we going?• Born into a favorable or unfavorable rebirth after death based upon the karma of the

previous life• To be taken into the sach khand (realm of truth) where God is

3. How do we get there?• living beings becoming gurmukh (God-centred) through God’s grace and living by the

teachings of the gurus• practicing nam japna (continual meditation on God’s name)• following the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib• earning a living honestly and giving a proportion of what we earn to those in need• sewa (altruistic service) to God and humanity, regardless of birth or gender.

Learning Objectives

1. Study the lives of Nanak and the other Sikh gurus.

2. Come to understand how Sikhism stands between Islam and Hinduism on many issues.

3. Understand the tension between pacificism and militancy in Sikh tradition and history.

Key Names, Concepts, and Terms

Page 157

1. Granth

2. Udasis

3. Singhs

4. Sahajdharis 

 

Chapter 7

1. Divali

2. Durga

3. Gurdwara

4. Guru

5. Holi

6. Karma

7. Sikh

8. Tahkt

Timeline1469-1539 CE

1563-16061621-16751666-1708

16991708

1780-1839

184919191947

1984

1999

Life of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh prophetLife of the Fifth Guru, Arjun DevLife of the Ninth Guru, Tegh BahadurLife of the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind SinghGobind Singh founds the order of KhalsaGuru Granth Sahib installed as GuruMaharaja Ranjit Singh rules the Sikh kingdom, respecting all religionsBritish rule in Punjab; Sikh rule comes to endBloody massacre of Amritsar by the BritishPartition of India and Pakistan; 2.5 million Sikhs forced out of Pakistan to IndiaIndian army storms Golden Temple; Sikhs kill Indira Gandhi; Hindus attack SikhsMillions of Sikhs celebrate founding of Khalsa

I) Introduction

A. Origins in Sixteenth Century C.E. Northwestern India

B. Sikhs believe their faith to be a new and independent religion

C. Scholars hold the Sikhism developed in the context of a religious conversation between devotional Hinduism and Islamic mysticism.

1. Unlike other Hindu reform movements, it accommodates from another major world religion, Islam

D. Many Sikh spiritual leaders have also been warriors

E. An Indian Minority Religion, number about 19.1 million worldwide.

1. Substantial communities found in Europe, North America, and Southwest Asia

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II) The Life of Nanak

A. Starting in the tenth century, Muslims invaded India

B. The northwest section of India was invaded most frequently

C. Muslim Invasions Cause Extreme Strife between Islam and Hinduism1. Islamic presence strongest in Punjab, northwestern

India• Here, Islam had the most Indian converts

2. Islam and Hinduism seemingly antithetical religions• Because Islam and Hinduism were different in so many ways,

there were ongoing conflicts between the faiths

II) The Life of NanakB. Nanak Seeks to Bridge Divide between

Muslim and Hindu1. Kabir (1440-1518 C.E.) as forerunner of Nanak

• Kabir is best known for bringing Hinduism and Islam together

• Born Muslim but worshipped Hindu deities• Believed god is one, worshipped many ways• Revered as holy man by Hindus and Muslims• By worshipping with his Hindu neighbors, the Muslim

Kabir taught that God is one

“O human, where dost thou seek Me?Lo! I am beside thee.I am neither in temple nor in mosque:

I am neither in Kaaba nor in Kailash:Neither am I in rites and ceremonies; nor in yoga and renunciation.If thou art a true seeker, thou shalt at once see Me: thou shalt meet me in a moment of time.Kabir says, ‘O Sadhu! God is the breath of all breath.’”

Kabir

II) The Life of NanakB. Nanak Seeks to Bridge Divide between Muslim and Hindu

2. Nanak (1469-1538 C.E.) carries on Kabir’s mission• The founder of Sikhism was Nanak, who was born in the 1400s • Born Hindu but educated by Muslim schoolmaster• He was a dreamer and poet, who was distant from daily pursuits• Nanak was more interested in religious and artistic pursuits than in

business or practicality• Nanak failed at the professions that he tried• He eventually married and fathered two sons • Nanak eventually left his family and moved to Sultanpur to try his hand at

business again• When he was thirty, Nanak received a vision from God that changed his

life• God told Nanak that he was being singled out as a prophet of the true

religion• Receives vision from god and prophetic mandate to teach true religion:

“there is no Muslim and there is no Hindu.”

II) The Life of Nanak2. Nanak (1469-1538 C.E.) carries on Kabir’s mission (cont)

– Nanak began to wander as a preacher and wore mixed Hindu and Muslim clothes

– Nanak and partner Mardana wander India and preach essential unity of Islam and Hinduism

– Wherever Nanak went he sought to form new Sikh communities• Each of his followers became known as a Sikh, which is a Punjab word for

“disciple”

– After many years of preaching, Nanak returned home to Punjab in northwest India to preach and forms more communities

– According to legend, as Nanak was dying, each of his followers wanted to bury him according to his own religious tradition

• Nanak directed the men to bring flowers to his body and whoever had the freshest flowers the following day could bury or cremate him

• The next day, Nanak’s body was gone• The message was that even in death Nanak sought to unify Hindus and Muslims

– The legend of Nanak’s death: fostering unity and harmony between Hindus and Muslims

III) The Teachings of Nanak

• Nanak sought to synthesize Islam and Hinduism by taking elements of both1. Emphasizes Islamic belief that god is one, and

followers call him “The True Name”• The True Name is a creator of the universe and human

beings are his supreme creation

2. Teaches Hindu doctrine of reincarnation• One god eventually freeing people from cycle of birth-

death • Many Sikhs believe spirit of Nanak was reincarnated in

bodies of gurus who succeed him in later tradition

3. Teaches Hindu doctrine of karma

III) The Teachings of Nanak

B. Rejects Elements of Both Islam and Hinduism 1. Because of their primacy as beings, humans can kill and eat animals

• Sikhs are among the few Indians who eat meat

2. Rejects Hindu doctrine of ahimsa (sacredness of all living creatures), emphasizes human primacy in the order of the one god’s creation

3. Nanak rejected the ceremonial practices of both Hindus and Muslims• Instead, Nanak taught a plain and simple form of religion that distrusts

ceremony and ritual

4. Advocates pacifism in opposition to both Islamic and Hindu traditions• Nanak taught pacifism, or nonviolence• In all of his travels, he never struck out in violence, and he taught his disciples

nonviolence as well

5. Contrary to Nanak’s teachings, later Sikhs became known as the most militant of warriors

IV The Historical Development of Sikhism

A. After Nanak’s death, the Sikh movement was taken over by Angad

1. Angad and the First Four Gurus• Angad, the first in a series of ten gurus, rules until 1552• First four gurus follow teachings of Nanak and retain his

pacifism • While the term “guru” usually means teacher, to the

Sikhs it means “leader”

IV The Historical Development of Sikhism

B. Arjan Dev (1581-1606 C.E.), the Fifth Guru, Changes Sikhism1. Begins the compilation of the Adi Granth, the official Sikh

scriptures• The Adi Granth contains hymns by Nanak, Kabir, and other gurus• Contains 3,384 hymns• Three times the size of the Rig-Veda

2. Arjan militarizes Sikhism • Growth of Sikhism threatened Muslim rulers• Muslim emperor orders Arjan to remove from Granth anything contrary to

Qur’an • Arjan refuses and is tortured to death• Before his death, Arjan instructs son, Har Gobind, the sixth guru, to arm

himself and have bodyguards

3. Builds golden temple at Amritsar

IV The Historical Development of Sikhism

C. Gobind Singh, the Last Sikh Guru (1675-1708 C.E.)1. Father, the ninth guru, executed by Muslims

2. Completely forfeits Nanak’s pacifism • Prepared Sikhs to be warrior religion• Introduces worship of the Hindu death goddess Durga into Sikhism• Introduces baptism of the sword as ritual• Develops elite class of warriors within Sikhism called the Singhs (lions)

– Wear long hair and beards– Adorn hair with combs (kangha)– Wear short pants (kachk)– Wear steel bracelet (kara)– Equipped with steel dagger (kirpan)– Not allowed to use any intoxicant– Encouraged to eat meat– Open to men of all castes– Theology of reincarnation emboldens Sikh warriors

IV The Historical Development of Sikhism

C. Gobind Singh, the Last Sikh Guru (1675-1708 C.E.)3. Forms the Khalsa, which is the collective body of all

initiated Sikhs.• The Khalsa is also the pinnacle of the Sikhism. • Once an individual becomes a member of the Khalsa they

overcome the inside-evils and the shred weakness of the body, mind, and heart, and become brave as lions

4. Establishes Granth as final religious word, thereby ending guru tradition• The Granth is a collection of hymns• The majority of the hymns came from Nanak• The remainder came from Kabir and other gurus• It is roughly three times the size of the Rig-Veda and contain 3,384

hymns

IV The Historical Development of Sikhism

C. Gobind Singh, the Last Sikh Guru (1675-1708 C.E.)5. Assassinated in 1708 C.E., history of violence

follows• Sikhs both aggressors and victims• Sikh control of Punjab in early phase of British colonial

takeover leads to many bloody wars • British respect Sikhs, use them as policemen and

warriors all over India during the Raj

V) Divisions within Sikhism

A. Modern Sikhs are mainly found in India1. There are three main divisions amongst its members:

• Udasis, Sahajdharis, and Singhs

B. Commonalities between All Sikh Sects1. Accept the central teachings of Nanak

2. Accept the Granth as sacred scripture

3. Accept the ten gurus as inspired leaders of the faith

C. The Singhs: Warrior Class1. A corps of warriors started by Gobind Singh

2. Arjan is recognized for giving the Sikhs the Granth but also a militant aspect in conflict with Nanak’s pacifism

3. The last Sikh guru was Gobind Singh, who organized and prepared the Sikhs for self-defense and war

4. He developed an elite fighting force, the Singhs (or lions) for that purpose

V) Divisions within Sikhism

C. The Udasis: Sect of Sikh Holy Men1. This is basically an order of holy men who follow principles

similar to the Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist ascetics

2. Practice celibacy

3. Wear coarse yellow garments like Buddhists or go naked like Jain monks

4. Shave heads and beards

5. Often active missionaries

D. The Sahajdharis: Conservative, Slow-Going6. Stopped developing prior to the rule of Gobind Singh

7. Reject military characteristics of much of Sikhism

8. Shave beards

VI) Sikh Religious Life

A. Rituals and Ceremonies are Simple and Minimal

B. Initiation Ritual: Baptism Ritual, not a Sikh by Birth1. One joins the Sikhs by baptism instead of simply

being born into the faith

2. Bowl of sweetened water stirred with dagger

3. Initiate sprinkled with water, instructed in Sikh beliefs and practices

C. Daily Rituals1. Early morning bath

2. Reading hymns and reciting prayers

3. There is also a nighttime ritual of hymns and prayers

VI) Sikh Religious Life

C. Congregational Worship1. Meet in gurdwaras (temples)

2. The central object of worship is a copy of the scared Adi Granth

3. Prayers, hymns, sermon, communal meal

4. There are no priests, so services are led by a member of the community

5. There are also no caste or gender differentiations in worship

VI) Sikh Religious Life D. The Takht (Throne) of Sikhism at Amritsar

1. Located in the Golden Temple

2. Sikh leaders gather to make decisions about Sikh life

3. Sikhs’ pilgrimage to Amritsar

4. Some gurdwaras, including the Golden Temple in Amritsar, have traditionally allowed only men to read publicly from the Guru Granth Sahib.

5. In 1996, the central body regulating gurdwaras ruled that women should be allowed to read publicly as well.

VII) Sikh Holy Days and Festivals

A. Because of its simplicity, Sikhism does not have an elaborate series of holidays

B. In northern India, Sikhs celebrate Holi and Divali with their Hindu neighbors

C. In June, Sikhs celebrate the martyrdom of Guru Arjan, the complier of the Granth

D. Sikhs also celebrate the birthdays of Nanak and Arjan

VII) Sikh Holy Days and Festivals

E. VaisakhiA. The festival bears a great significance for the Sikhs due

of the fact that on the Vaisakhi Day in the year 1699, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh laid down the foundation of the Panth Khalsa, that is the Order of the Pure Ones.

B. This day is also observed as the thanksgiving day by the farmers whereby the farmers pay their tribute, thanking God for the abundant harvest and also praying for the future prosperity.

C. Vaisakhi is one of the important festivals celebrated with fun and fervor by people of other religions too.

D. It is also used as a celebration for the New Year.

VII) Sikh Holy Days and Festivals

F. Kirtan1. Call and response chanting

2. Involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments

3. Sometimes accompanied by story telling and acting typically covering religious, mythological or social subjects

4. Started by Guru Nanak Guru at Kartarpurr in the early 16th century

5. Was strengthened by his successors, particularly Guru Arjann, at Amritsar

6. In spite of several interruptions, kirtan continues to be performed at the Golden Temple

VIII) Sikhism Today

A. Precarious Minority in Punjab1. The growth of Hinduism has made Sikhs once again a

minority and lack political strength

2. The Punjab remains the heart of Sikhism, although this region of the Indian subcontinent was partitioned when the British left India in 1947

3. Although relations between Sikhs and Hindus have generally been good, there have been violent clashes between them in recent years

4. Radical Sikhs demand Punjab independence, risk military conflict with government of India.

5. In 1984 when Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, there were anti Sikh riots.

VIII) Sikhism Today

B. Sikh Leadership1. Within Sikh communities, there have occasionally been

disputes over gurdwara leadership and practice

2. There are also debates over power and authority within Sikhism

3. One modern farm-based Sikh community with followers in both India and the West is Gobind Sadan or House of God.• Their philosophy is one of hard work and meditation under the leadership of Baba

Virsa Singh Ji (Babaji), and feel that they are being transformed through love, meditation, faith, devotions, and service.

• The program is modeled on the practical philosophy of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru: working hard, sharing with others, and always remembering God.

• People of all faiths are encouraged to find God through their own prophet, and at the same time to appreciate the prophets of other religions.

VIII) Sikhism Today C. Sikhism in the West

1. In recent years, Americans and Europeans have been attracted to Sikhism for its simplicity and tolerance, as well as for its emphasis on the equality of men and women

2. Because Indians living a Western life are sometimes living in a more worldly fashion, there can be conflicts between faith and lifestyle

3. In 2012 a mass shooting took place at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin by a white supremacist.

• The incident drew responses from President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

• Dignitaries attended candlelight vigils in countries such as the U.S., Canada, and India.

• The First Lady Michelle Obama visited the temple on August 23, 2012.

Fundamental questions

1. What is the human condition?– All living beings were created by God.– Through maya (illusion) and haumai (ego-centredness), jot (the divine spark) is not

realized and therefore human beings remain focused on their “man” or baser emotions summarized in the five vices of kam (lust), lobh (covetousness), moh (attachment), krodh (anger) and ahankar(pride)

– The condition is known as manmukh (the follower of the ego), as opposed to gurmukh (one who is focused on God and lives by the teachings of the gurus)

2. Where are we going?– Born into a favorable or unfavorable rebirth after death based upon the karma of the

previous life– To be taken into the sach khand (realm of truth) where God is

3. How do we get there?– living beings becoming gurmukh (God-centred) through God’s grace and living by the

teachings of the gurus– practising nam japna (continual meditation on God’s name)– following the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib– earning a living honestly and giving a proportion of what we earn to those in need– sewa (altruistic service) to God and humanity, regardless of birth or gender.