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Essays on Sikh Values
NEO FAITH
The Sikh Faith
‘Sikhi,’ wrongly termed ‘Sikhism’
The Sikh religion is the newest - about 535 years old
today in 2004. It came into being with the birth of Guru Nanak Dev in 1469
AD. In the Sikh world, the Guru means a Sikh Prophet or the Master. Father
of Guru Nanak Dev was Kalyan Das, popularly called Mehta Kalu, and mother
was Mata (Mother) Tripta. He was born at the village Talwandi (Nankana
Sahib), now in the undivided Punjab, the great Northern state of India.
The Gurus
Guru Nanak was followed by nine Gurus, and the last, Guru
Gobind Singh, died in 1708. Their followers are called Sikhs. The word
means “disciple,” a seeker - an apprentice, a student. Today, they are
about twenty-two millions, and make the fifth largest nation in the world.
Their homeland is the State of Punjab, in India, but they are nearly all
over the country (India) and the world.
This new religion was the result of an action against
ignorance and superstitions. It was reinforced by the desire of the people
to get rid of oppression, discrimination and cruelty. The lust, greed,
ego etc. of the rich and powerful were beyond toleration.
Downtrodden
The Gurus kept uplifting the downtrodden for 239 years,
from the birth of Guru Nanak to the death of Guru Gobind Singh. They united
the people to one God, and revived in them the realization of their duties
and rights. They taught equality of all human beings, and liberated them
from discrimination against caste, creed, class, sex, color, faith, and
of the geographical regions. They liberated the people from superstitions,
unfounded taboos, meaningless customs, and useless rites.
The Sikh Belief
A Sikh believes in one God and prays only to Him, has
faith in Ten Gurus, and follows the dictates of Guru Granth Sahib (Holy
Book the Guru). This Book has 1430, pages - fixed by the Sikh world in
the recent past. It has the Hymns not only of the Sikh Gurus, but of the
saints from other faiths and of different castes, too. The last Guru, Gobind
Singh, declared the Holy Book to be the Guru of the Sikhs after him and
no more a human Master for them. The Sikhs consider Guru Granth Sahib -
Gurbani (the Word) their Living Guru.
Khalsa
The Tenth Master established “Order of the Khalsa.” Khalsa
means the Guru’s own i.e. his special, loved one: the pure one. This order
was to uplift the masses to fight for their rights, to struggle for freedom
including that of their faith, to stand up against oppression, discrimination,
cruelty, and to lead the people for selfless service combined with universal
love, help to the needy and protection to the weak. The people properly
initiated into the Sikh faith were also called Khalsa. The Khalsa keep
their hair unshorn, head covered, and observe other dictates of the order.
The men tie turbans and usually a long cloth is worn by the women to cover
their heads. The use of caps, hats etc. is not permitted in the Sikh world.
Amrit
The people are initiated into the Sikh faith by a special
ceremony of drinking “Amrit” - the Holy Drink. The Khalsa’s (properly initiated
Sikh’s) name should end in “Singh” for males, and “Kaur” for females, as
it is usual for the Sikhs in general. Singh means a lion, and Kaur is a
princess. The regular salutation of the Sikhs is “Satsri Akal”- Hail the
Lord! However, more formal one is, “Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji
ki fateh” - the Khalsa belongs to God, Glory to Him.
Sikh Prayer
The Sikhs recite their set prayers in the morning, evening
and at bedtime. They bow to the Holy Book and recite it with reverence.
They believe that the Hymns composed by the Gurus, and given in Guru Granth
Sahib were revealed to them by God.
Besides, the individual i.e. personal meditation on God,
they perform “Kirtan” - sing His praise, and meditate on Him in the congregation.
They hold their gatherings usually on weekends in the presence of the Holy
Book in their place of worship called “Gurdwara”- residence of the Guru.
Sometimes, they get-together to pray at their homes, too. Their every ceremony
is performed in the presence of their Holy Book. Their gatherings mostly
end in “Langar” - common (community) food - sitting together and eating.
It may be prepared singly, jointly, at home or at the Gurdwara. This is
a free service.
Waheguru
The Sikhs call God “Waheguru”- Wondrous One i.e. the Wonderful
God. ‘Wahe’ means an appreciation in wonder. ‘Guru’ means the eliminator
of ignorance. The central theme of their teaching is known as “Mool-Mantar.-
the Basic i.e. Root-Formula.” This is - “There is only One
God, He is all pervading, the supreme Truth, the only Creator, all powerful
and without discrimination, above the time and space, not bound by the
birth and death, self-created. And this realization comes through His own
Grace.”
Invocation
Every “Ardas” - Invocation or supplication by the Sikhs,
is mainly a very brief repetition of their history, and begs for His mercy.
It ends with “O Lord, be merciful to all, and bless everyone with a high
morale!”
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