This one question arises in my
mind regarding the shooting spree at the Sikh Gurdwara (Congregation place
of worship) of Wisconsin in Oak Creek on Sunday, August 5 that left six
dead. Why this did happen and why are only Sikhs being targeted? And then I
think that there is a lack of communication or interaction with other
communities about expressing our faith.
We
must use media as well as other modern resources to explain who Sikhs are
and what their identity is. Sikh faith is the fifth largest in the world
with more than 30 million followers spread over 165 countries. It includes
belief in one God and that the goal of life is to lead an exemplary
existence. The Sikh faith originated in North India, about 500
years ago. Sikhism is sometimes confused with Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism
because of geographical proximity and cultural similarities.
Sikhs live
according to a code of honor in service of all humanity. Sikh ethics
advocate equality for men and women of every race and religion. Sikhs have a
history of being the defenders of the defenseless. Sikhs are known for
acting against the terror of forced conversion. Many Sikhs throughout
history are respected for having sacrificed their own lives, so that people
of other religions may have freedom to worship in the manner of their
choice.
A Sikh believes in one God
and follows teachings of the ten Gurus. Guru Nanak was the first Guru and
was born in 1469 AD in Punjab, Pakistan, and founded a new religion Sikhism.
Sikhism is a progressive religion well ahead of its time. Sikhism preaches a
message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living,
equality of mankind and denounces superstitions and blind rituals and seeks
the welfare of all the human beings of the globe and promotes peace,
integration, co-existence and emphasizes the importance of human values.
Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in
the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, that is, Word
Divine.
Sikhism is a
modern, scientific, and practical religious way of life. The philosophy of
Sikhism therefore values AIR as a Guru, the WATER as a father and EARTH
occupies the holy place of a mother. DAYS and NIGHTS are the nurses in whose
laps the whole creation fondles. Let this superb system function
uninterruptedly as designed by God. Natural resources are the bounties of
nature for humanity and these invaluable boons should be utilized wisely.
Sikhism abhors
asceticism and advocates an active life of a married householder in a
classless and casteless society. Considering wealth as essential for our
maintenance, we are not to abandon all patience and contentment for its
achievement. The unending pursuit of wealth destroys our peace of mind and
our craving for it increases; and thus a well-balanced life is disturbed.
Sikhism does not accept the ideology of pessimism, rather it advocates
optimism and hope, CHARDI KALA, that is, high spirits or dynamic power.
Indulgence is considered to be an entrapment of ego. Sikhs believe
meditation is a means of moderation to guard against excess pride, desire,
greed, and attachment, which can result in anger and diminish the soul’s
connection with God. It commands its followers to:
-
Earn their living by doing
honest and productive work
-
Share the fruit of their honest
labour with the needy and those unable to help themselves; and
-
Remember the Lord, the Creator,
at all times.
Any Sikh is free to read the Guru
Granth Sahib in the Gurdwara or in their home. People of all religions are
welcome to the Gurdwara. A free community kitchen can be found at every
Gurdwara which serves meals to everyone without any distinction of caste,
creed, colour, religion and would be the same whether one is rich or poor
and all sit in the same row. Guru Nanak first started this institution which
outlines the basic Sikh principles of selfless service, sharing food with
one another in a sense of humility, oneness and equality of mankind. The
word GURDWARA means an abode of the Guru (the spiritual teacher), the Holy
Guru Granth.
Outside every Gurdwara there is a
high flag post covered with saffron- or orange-colour cloth, surmounted with
a double edged sword. This symbolizes the combination of temporal and
spiritual aspects of Sikh life. Also the flag post shows the presence of a
Gurdwara for the people to know, where they can come to pay their respects,
without distinction or fear.
The
word Sikh means constant learner, a disciple and a follower of Sikhism.
A Sikh loves all, He is characterized as a broad-minded, enterprising,
energetic and industrious human being. A Sikh has a unique and distinctive
personality and is represented by five symbols know as five Ks which caution
a Sikh to introspect and wash out all impurities for qualitative living.
KESH (long unshorn hair) -representing holiness, naturalness,
saintliness, spirituality, commitment and masculinity. KANGHA
(comb) - signifying cleanliness, orderliness and spiritual discipline.
KARA (a steel bracelet) - reminding unity with God, universal
brotherhood, self-restraint, strength of steel, victory over superstitions.
KACHHERA (pair of shorts) - observing moral restraint, continence,
chastity and sexual discipline; and finally the KIRPAN (a curved
sword) – symbolizing courage, dignity, grace and emblem of power.
This is a Sikh's uniform along
with a turban. The turban is a sound indication to others that a Sikh lives
in the image of infinity and is dedicated to serving all. This unique
identity conveys royalty, grace and uniqueness. A turban of a Sikh does not
represent anything except complete commitment to his Guru and utmost
reverence to God. Sikhs are meant to keep hair in its natural unaltered
state. In addition to maintaining long hair themselves, Sikh parents are to
keep their children’s hair intact from birth onwards.
According to the Sikh Code of
Conduct, all intoxications, such as alcohol, tobacco and all its
derivations, and trimming of the hair from any part of the body are
forbidden. Adultery is considered as a sin. A Sikh should regard another
man's wife as his sister or mother and another man's daughter as his own
daughter. The same rule is applicable to the Sikh women also.
All Sikhs share the surname
Singh, which means a Lion. All Sikhs women use the name Kaur, which means a
Princess. In Sikhism these titles eliminate discrimination based on "family
name" (which denotes a specific caste) and reinforces that all humans are
sovereigns and equal under God. So at a distance with their beards and
turbans, Sikhs may look a bit different, yet as one grows to know more about
them, one finds in them kindred spirits and true friends. Some observations
regarding Sikhs are as follows:
American writer and historian H.
L. Bradshaw in “Sikhism - A Faith Of New Age”: “This religion befits the
inquest of science. Therefore, for the man of tomorrow, Sikh religion will
be his last hope and refuge. Sikhism is a universal world faith with a
message to humanity.”
Sir Winston Churchill: “British
people are highly indebted and obliged to Sikhs for a long time. I know that
within this century we needed their help twice [in two world wars] and they
did help us very well. As a result of their timely help, we are today able
to live with honour, dignity, and independence. In the war, they fought and
died for us, wearing the turbans.”
General Sir Frank Messervy: “In
the last two world wars 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and
109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom of
Britain and the world, and during shell fire, with no other protection but
the turban, the symbol of their faith.”
My thoughts and prayers go out to
the family of the victims, the wounded officer and a community which is
still in shock. There is no doubt in my mind that the heroic actions of the
American police officers prevented a greater tragedy.
In the end, the Sikh nation is
very large-hearted and in spite of racial differences and visual identity,
we co-exist with others happily and remain kind-hearted.
