The Religious Life of Sikhism, Worship, Rituals and Lifestyle

Introduction

Sikhism is a religion which was initiated by GURU NANAK who was born in 1469 following God’s revelation. It was usual for him to go to bath early in the river. One morning Nanak did not return from bathing in the river. He was presumed drowned. Three days later Nanak returned, but he did not speak the whole day. When he finally spoke he proclaimed “There is neither Hindu no Muslim so whose path shall I follow? I shall follow God’s path …..” When he explained what happened to him he said he had been escorted to the court of God, who gave him a cup of nectar and told him “This is the cup or the adoration of God’s name.

Drink it I am with you. I bless you and raise you up. Who ever remember you, will enjoy my favor, go rejoice in my name and teach others to do so I have bestowed the government of my name upon you. Lets this be your calling” (Brodd, 1987). From there on, he continued teaching and the first Sikh community was formed. In this work we will look on worship, ritual and lifestyle of Sikhism.

Worship

The Sikhs believe in monotheism (one God). A special building for Sikh worship is Gurdwara, that house a copy of the Adi Granth. They worship frequently on no particular day of the week. And this usually takes place in the evening though the early morning is also a popular time. Their worship to God is preceded by bathing and consists of singing the Guru’s hymns reading from the Adi Granth or teaching a story about one of the Guru’s. The worship in Sikhism ends with sharing a special cake made of wheat and honey.

Ritual

Initiation into the Khalisa is the most vivid ritual of Sikhism Khalisa (pure one) is an order within Sikhism to which majority of Sikhs belong, founded by Guru Gobind Sing in 1699.

Fourteen years old is an age at least the initiates should be at. The initiate must possess the “five Ks” in Punjabi the terms of which begins with a “K” which are: Kesh, Kirpan, Kachera, Kangha and Kara.

Sikhs gather at various times to share in the preparation and consumption of the meal. This ritual symbolizes the unit of the community regardless the caste status of its individual members.

Death is considered as natural process and God’s will, any public display of grief at the funeral such as wailing or crying out loudly are discouraged. Cremation is the preferred method of disposal although if it is not possible any other methods such as burial or submergence are off sea are acceptable.

The ritual is performed by five people, recalling the original initiation of Guru Gobind Singh by the beloved five. The Adi Granth is opened and one of five explains the basic principles of Sikhism to the initiates, who are asked if they are willing to accept them, the initiates are then served nectar made from water and sugar, which has been mixed in an iron kettler and stared with a two edged swords. The Mool Mantra of the Adi Granth is recited, the initiates are instructed about the ethical requirements of the Khalsa, which include prohibition against adultery the cutting of ones hair and the use of Tobacco.

One must be baptized so as to join the Sikhs community. This means that, one joins the Sikhs not by being born into Sikhs family but by undergoing a ritual of baptism when one is mature enough to accept it. In this ritual a bowl of sweetened water is shared by a dagger  and the water is sprinkled upon the initiate  as the initiate is instructed in the truths and prohibitions of the faith just as the initiatory ceremony of Sikhism is simple so the ceremonies surrounding marriage and death.

Lifestyle                 

A primary aspect of Guru Nanak’s teaching was the rejection of much of the tradition religious life of Hinduism and Islam. The Sikhs eat meat unlike Hindus who believe that God dwells within every life. To Sikhs God dwells within all human being, and is actively concerned about their spiritual welfare. They (Sikhs) advocates kindness to living things also hold that other creatures are here to provide for us. (Brodd, 1989).    

The reputation for being militant is part of the Sikhs traditions (just as it is part of visually every other religious tradition). But the militant aspect is secondary to the Sikh’s commitment to justice. From its beginning, Sikhism has been on the side of religious freedom and justice for oppressed people. Justice is carried out partly through the regular donation of one tenth of ones income to charitable courses.

Last greed for the world anger, pride regarding the world, and attachment to the world are considered evil workings Haumai. This is because haumai and its vices (self-reliance, pride, and egoism) increase the distance between the person and God.

Sikhs also believe in reincarnation (life after death) to them heaven and hell do exist. If one does good deeds will be rewarded in heaven while the one who does bad deeds will be punished in hell, and he will take birth again and again until he attains salvation by becoming one with God.

Conclusion

Generally, the Sikhs are very much concerned about the unit of the Sikh community. To achieve this Sikhs established the three guiding principles of Sikh life which are work, worship, and charity. This religion seems to be happened as a result or hostility between Hinduism and Islam. It emerged to reconcile the two. This is the reason why Sikhism shares some common characteristics from each of the two. For instance, rebirth, cremation, and monogamy from Hinduism; and monotheism (one God) and bath before worship from Islam.

REFERENCES

Brodd, J. (1987). World Religions. A Voyage of Discovery Winona: St. Mary’s Press.

Penney, S. (1999). Discovering Religious, Sikhism in Foundation Edition. Jordan Hill, Oxford UK:  Heinemann Educational Publishers.