LAST LESSON(no. 11) COMPONENT 5 Sikhism Includes: - Women in Sikhism - equality Nihangs/Gathka Guru Arjans ‘centre of spirituality’ LIST OF TOPICS STUDIED DATE FOR END OF COMPONENT TEST

WOMEN – EQUALITY IN Sikhs believe women are equal to men. The teachings of all the Guru’s support this ideal. Guru Nanak condemned those that said otherwise. He was constantly berated for having this view as it went against most of the cultures and religions prevalent in India at that time. Basic teachings include:- Guru Nanaks teaching of ‘there is no Hindu or Muslim … you are all children of God’ include women as equals The head of every man and woman is therefore God Guru Amar Das appointed the first women preachers; from the 146 he taught, 52 were women Guru Amar Das denounced the custom of sati Infanticide was severely condemned by Guru Amar Das Every Guru condemned the practice of covering the face

Plight of Indian women at Guru Nanak’s time (14th C) Women were severely degraded and oppressed, they did not receive an education, have any freedom to make decisions and could not take part in religious, social, political and economic affairs Women were expected to cook, clean, produce children and serve male members of society Female infanticide was common due to extortionate costs of dowry customs Sati was encouraged (the practice of throwing themselves on their husbands funeral pyre when he died!) Women were expected to cover their faces with a veil from anyone unrelated to them, especially males. Some Indian cultures (eg Mughals) practised polygamy, thereby also undermining the status of women Some Indian cultures condemned widow re-marriage, but men were allowed to remarry

QUOTATION Guru Nanak said:“Man is born from a woman; within woman, man is conceived; to a woman a man is engaged and married; man is friends with woman; through woman future generations exist; to a woman a man is bound; so why call her bad? from her, kings are born. from a woman, a woman is born; without woman there would be no one at all” GGS473

How is equality with women shown now Women do not have to cover their faces The practice of Sati, polygamy and infanticide is outlawed Women can become priests (Granthi’s) and lead all rites of passage in Sikhism Women can undertake all rituals for the reading & upkeep of the GGS Women can prepare, cook and serve karah prashad and langer Women in the Sikh homeland (Punjab) are educated equally Women are treated as equal partners during a Sikh marriage service Women can become Khalsa (Amritdari) Sikhs Women can work in any sector/profession they wish to Women can achieve Jeevan Mukhti like anyone else Women can re-marry Women do not have to provide a dowry to their in-laws upon marriage Famous Sikh women in history Maharani Jindan (last queen of Punjab), Mata Khivi (Amar Das’ wife), Sahib Kaur (Gobind Singhs wife) ……

Issues regarding equality in society today Despite all the Sikh teachings on the equality of women many still believe that true equality has not been achieved …yet Women are still discriminated in the workplace – eg pay, promotion … Women in many households still undertake more roles in the home A woman has not yet become the President of the highest Committee that manages the affairs of Gurdwaras in India (Shiromani Prabandak Committee). There are, however, women on the committee. No woman has become Head of any of the Sikh Takhts (thrones of authority – 5 key places in the Punjab) Sikh women in the Indian Army are not allowed on the battlefield In many diaspora countries (UK, US, Canada) men and women sit on separate sides in the main diwan hall in a Gurdwara to pray. (In India they sit anywhere!)

Practice question (AO2 15 marks) “Everyone should be equal in Sikhism” Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer)

NIHANGS

Nihangs : Who are they? Nihang is a Persian word meaning crocodile. Nihangs were suicide squads of the Mughal army and wore blue uniforms. The Sikhs took the name and colour of uniform. Nihangs constitute an order of Sikhs who do not fear death, they are always ready for martyrdom They are uninterested in worldly possessions only SEWA They wear blue/yellow robes and have bare legs from the knee down, and many steel discs on their turbans The are Khalsa (Amritdari) Sikhs

They carry spears, swords, daggers and shields and belong to a martial tradition begun by Guru Gobind Singh called GATHKA. During times of persecution the Nihangs defended Sikh shrines and the Sikh way of life. They see their role as an act of worship ie SEWA They are known for their bravery against all odds, most are baptised. Nowadays they go to festivals, staging displays of horsemanship and martial skills. The annual Hola Mohalla (a festival to showcase military poweress) and Vaisakhi are especially notable for the Nihangs' colourful displays of pageantry.

Question Unlikely to get a direct question on Nihangs by the exam board. Use the Nihangs in any question to do with the contribution of Guru Gobind Singh to Sikhi. Or/ in a question on sewa or worship – Nihangs see their job as sewa and as an act of worship Or/ a question on diversity of views among baptised Khalsa Sikhs and non-baptised Khalsa Sikhs (Eg. Where Nihangs are very strict Khalsa Sikhs who are baptised, mostly vegetarian, strictly the concept of martyrdom, uphold justice and protect the Sikh faith over and above any worldly concerns such as money, family, marriage, householder etc) For example: What is the difference between Khalsa and non-Khalsa (sehaj-dhari) Sikhs? 5 marks How do Sikhs undertake acts of worship? 2 marks 3) ‘It is important to become a Khalsa Sikh’. Discuss 8 marks 4) ‘The concept of martyrdom is the most important in Sikhism’ Discuss 15 marks

SAAD SANGAT AS A CENTRE OF SPIRITUALITY

CENTRE OF SPIRITUALITY Sangats (congregations) can be found in all Gurdwaras. The Golden Temple, Harminder Sahib, in Amritsar India is the Sikh centre of religious devotion The Golden Temple was finalised by Guru Arjan (5th Guru) Despite this Guru Arjan said: “Of all places, the most sublime place, O Nanak, is that heart in which the Name of the Lord abides”. Concept of a SADH SANGAT (company of devotees) is now used to mean a ‘Centre of Spirituality’.

GURU ARJAN’S ‘CENTRE OF SPIRITUALITY’ Sadh Sangat is a ‘company of devotees’ likeminded and committed, to the same ideals as yourself on the same journey of self-realisation and ethical training Every Sikh should seek out their own Sadh Sangat on their quest to become Gurmukh Guru Arjan said:- “If you are entangled in emotional attachment and the veil of Maya … by Chanting the Name of the Lord, sorrow is dispelled. If you wish to erase your sorrows … renounce humai in the Sadh Sangat … the supreme person is the one who gives up his egotistical pride in the Company of the Holy”. Ggs 266

Where to use the concept of Sadh Sangat You can use this concept in any questions to do with :- Sense of Community Relationship with Waheguru Role of a Gurdwara Becoming Gurmukh Seeking Jeevan Mukhti/liberaton/salvation Khalsa Sikhs Devotion/spirituality/worship/sewa

LIST OF TOPICS IN THIS COMPONENT Nature of God Mool Manter Langer/karah prashad – equality in Gurdwara Nihangs/gathka God as Creator Purpose of Khalsa (formation)/vows Jeevan mukhti/atma/samsara Relationship with humans – nirgun/sargun Differences between Khalsa/non-khalsa sikhs Karma – liberation & Salvation 3 principles – Naam japna/vand chakna/kirt karni Gurmukh/Manmukh Stages of liberation Guru Nanak stories about God Guru Amar Das – equality Equality of women Martyrdom (5th and 9th Guru) Gurdwara – worship and GGS Respect for the GGS Humai/virtues/vices 5 ks – meaning Names - Kaur/Singh Oneness of humanity - equality Sangat/pangat Centre of Spirituality – ethical training - sadh sangat The Guru’s (briefly) Sewa – types/daswandh

Your test for this component of the course (Sikhism) will take place on …….. Revise Everything … It will be 40 minutes long