RS 390: SIKHISM – AN OVERVIEW RS 390: SIKHISM – AN OVERVIEW Doris R. Jakobsh

THE TEN GURUS OF SIKHISM

3 SIKHISM: HISTORICAL SOURCES Sikhism is the newest of the major world religions Sikhism is the newest of the major world religions (Guru Nanak: ) (Guru Nanak: ) Today, 16 – 20 million adherents Today, 16 – 20 million adherents

4 SOURCES? 1) Adi Granth (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) Devotional hymns and poetry Devotional hymns and poetry Not historical events Not historical events

5 SOURCES? Janamsakhi literature Janamsakhi literature Narratives focusing on Guru Nanak’s life Narratives focusing on Guru Nanak’s life Earliest sources written 100 years after Guru Nanak’s death Earliest sources written 100 years after Guru Nanak’s death Thus questionable historically Thus questionable historically

6 JANAMSAKHIS: Say more about the needs of the community after the Guru’s death than about factual evidence Say more about the needs of the community after the Guru’s death than about factual evidence Also inconsistencies between the various versions Also inconsistencies between the various versions

7 LATER GURUS: SOURCES These histories are not included in the janamsakhis These histories are not included in the janamsakhis BUT written in same style BUT written in same style Same genre Same genre

8 JANAMSAKHIS: STATEMENTS OF FAITH, AS OPPOSED TO BEING HISTORICALLY FACTUAL

GURU NANAK

10 BACKGROUND TO SIKH TRADITION: MILIEU Nanak very much in line with Bhakti tradition Nanak very much in line with Bhakti tradition Version of Bhakti known as the ‘Sant tradition’ Version of Bhakti known as the ‘Sant tradition’ Sant = ‘one who knows the truth’ Sant = ‘one who knows the truth’

11 SANT TRADITION: God = nirguna – without form God = nirguna – without form Vedas are not authoritative Vedas are not authoritative Brahmin priesthood rejected Brahmin priesthood rejected Opposed to ALL outer forms of religion (pilgrimage, images, scripture) Opposed to ALL outer forms of religion (pilgrimage, images, scripture) Religion is strictly an interior affair Religion is strictly an interior affair Salvation open to all, regardless of caste or gender Salvation open to all, regardless of caste or gender

12 THE EARLY FOLLOWERS OF THE GURUS WERE NOT INITIALLY CONSIDERED A DISTINCT COMMUNITY THEY WERE SIMPLY ONE OF THE BHAKTI MOVEMENTS THAT WERE SWEEPING ACROSS INDIA

NANAK THE BRIDGE BUILDER: STORY OF THE FLOWERS AT GURU NANAK’S DEATH… STORY OF THE FLOWERS AT GURU NANAK’S DEATH…

14 GURU NANAK AND HINDUS: “Hindus praise the praiseworthy one whose vision and beauty are incomparable, but they bathe at pilgrimage places, make flower offerings, and place the perfume of sandalwood before idols” (AG 465). “Hindus praise the praiseworthy one whose vision and beauty are incomparable, but they bathe at pilgrimage places, make flower offerings, and place the perfume of sandalwood before idols” (AG 465).

GURU NANAK AND MUSLIMS: “Let compassion be your mosque, faith your prayer carpet, and righteousness your Qur’an. Let modesty be your circumcision, and uprightness your fasting. Thus you will become a true Muslim” (AG 140). “Let compassion be your mosque, faith your prayer carpet, and righteousness your Qur’an. Let modesty be your circumcision, and uprightness your fasting. Thus you will become a true Muslim” (AG 140).

16 GURU NANAK BELIEVED THAT GOD COULD BE FOUND IN ALL TRADITIONS

RITUALS, SCRIPTURE IN AND OF THEMSELVES ARE NOT ENOUGH THESE BECOME ENDS AS OPPOSED TO MEANS WHEREBY TRUTH CAN BE FOUND

18 COMMUNITY OF NANAK: Householder is the ideal (not ascetic) Householder is the ideal (not ascetic) Nam simaran – meditation on Divine name and nature of God Nam simaran – meditation on Divine name and nature of God Satsang – community Satsang – community Devotion to the Guru – receive darshan Devotion to the Guru – receive darshan

19 GURU NANAK’S SUCCESSOR Rejection of family lineage Rejection of family lineage Eldest son was an ascetic Eldest son was an ascetic Youngest son not interested Youngest son not interested

GURU ANGAD

21 GURU ANGAD: Lehna – devotee of Durga Lehna – devotee of Durga Contrast Angad’s devotion to Guru Nanak with his sons’ Contrast Angad’s devotion to Guru Nanak with his sons’ Many stories of this devotion Many stories of this devotion

GURU AMAR DAS

23 GURU AMAR DAS: Construction of baoli (well) Construction of baoli (well) Pilgrimage centre Pilgrimage centre Beginning of institutionalization of the community (Panth) Beginning of institutionalization of the community (Panth)

GURU RAM DAS

25 GURU RAM DAS: Son-in-law of Guru Amar Das Son-in-law of Guru Amar Das Succession moves a little closer to family succession that Guru Nanak had rejected Succession moves a little closer to family succession that Guru Nanak had rejected Eventually, guruship stays within the family line of Gurus Eventually, guruship stays within the family line of Gurus

CONTROVERSIES WITH REGARD TO SUCCESSION – EACH SON TOOK ACTION AGAINST THEIR FATHERS’ DECISIONS FOR LEADERSHIP LEGALLY, THEY WERE THE HEIRS ALSO CLAIMED THEY WERE THE TRUE GURUS SCHISM AFTER SCHISM

27 GURU ARJAN

28 GURU ARJAN: Turning point in Sikh community Turning point in Sikh community Son of last Guru (though not the oldest) Son of last Guru (though not the oldest) Compiled Sikh hymns into scripture Compiled Sikh hymns into scripture Built Harimandir/Amritsar Built Harimandir/Amritsar Known as ‘king’ to his followers Known as ‘king’ to his followers Active in trade and business Active in trade and business

HARIMANDIR SAHIB = GOLDEN TEMPLE, AMRITSAR

30 OTHER CHANGES? Caste constituency is changing Caste constituency is changing Moving from Khatri to Jat caste grouping Moving from Khatri to Jat caste grouping Had a huge influence on direction taken by later Gurus Had a huge influence on direction taken by later Gurus

GURU HARGOBIND

32 GURU HARGOBIND: Miri-piri doctrine = temporal and spiritual power Miri-piri doctrine = temporal and spiritual power Had an army Had an army Mughal threat OR Jat caste influx? Mughal threat OR Jat caste influx?

GURU GOBIND SINGH

35 GURU GOBIND SINGH Father put to death by Mughals Father put to death by Mughals Known for his love of horses, hunting, hawking Known for his love of horses, hunting, hawking MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN SIKH TRADITION ATTRIBUTED TO GURU GOBIND SINGH MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN SIKH TRADITION ATTRIBUTED TO GURU GOBIND SINGH

36 BAISAKHI DAY, 1699 Called for a follower to give his life to his Guru Called for a follower to give his life to his Guru Eventually 5 came forward Eventually 5 came forward Panj Piare (beloved 5) Panj Piare (beloved 5)

BAISAKHI, 1699: KHALSA BROTHERHOOD

TODAY, WHEN ANY DECISION IS MADE, OR, SOMEONE IS INITIATED, 5 ‘BELOVEDS’ GATHER

40 5 Ks: SYMBOLS OF THE KHALSA Kachh – undergarment (breeches) Kachh – undergarment (breeches) Kes – uncut hair Kes – uncut hair Kirpan – dagger Kirpan – dagger Kanga – comb Kanga – comb Kara – iron bangle Kara – iron bangle

5 Ks

42 PANJ PIARE: INITIATION

SIKH WOMAN: INITIATION

44 MEDITATION WAS STILL ON THE DIVINE NAME BUT THERE WAS NOW A NEW ASPECT TO ‘BEING SIKH’

45 GURU GRANTH SAHIB

GURU GRANTH ELEVATED

GURU GRANTH AND IMPLEMENTS

THE GURU GRANTH PUT TO BED

SIKHISM AND WORSHIP: Sikhs insist that the Guru Granth is not worshipped Sikhs insist that the Guru Granth is not worshipped It is simply honoured It is simply honoured

51 GOD IN SIKHISM: Mul Mantra : “Omkar “Omkar True name True name One who creates One who creates Beyond all opposition Beyond all opposition A form beyond time A form beyond time Unborn, self-born Unborn, self-born The guru’s grace… The guru’s grace… The ancient truth, ageless truth The ancient truth, ageless truth Is also, now, truth Is also, now, truth And Nanak says, And Nanak says, It will always be truth.” It will always be truth.”

52 GOD: “There is One Supreme Being, the Eternal Reality. He is the Creator, without fear and devoid of enmity. He is immortal, never incarnated, self- existent, known by grace through the Gurus. The Eternal One, from the beginning, through all time, present now, the Everlasting Reality.” “There is One Supreme Being, the Eternal Reality. He is the Creator, without fear and devoid of enmity. He is immortal, never incarnated, self- existent, known by grace through the Gurus. The Eternal One, from the beginning, through all time, present now, the Everlasting Reality.”

53 EK OAMKAR:

54 GOD HAS NO PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES, ALTHOUGH THE IMAGERY OF GOD AS LOVER IS OFTEN USED EVEN NAMES OF GOD SUCH AS RAM, ALLAH, AKAL PURAKH, SAT GURU BUT GOD IS ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD AS ONE

55 GOD AS CREATOR: “For millions of years there was nothing but darkness over the void. There was neither earth nor sky, only the Infinite Will. There was neither night nor day, sun nor moon…The sources of creation did not exist, there was no speech, no air, no water, no birth, no death, no coming or going…There was no other only the One.”

56 HUMANITY IN SIKHISM: “People are born and then die. Where did they come from? Say where did they emerge and whither do they go? Those who have the Name in their hearts and on their tongues become beyond desire, as God is. They come and go in the natural way [according to the law of karma], born because of the desires of their mind. The God-minded are emancipated and are not bound again for they dwell on the word and attain deliverance through the Name” (AG 152).

57 IGNORANCE IS THE ROOT OF HUMANITY’S PROBLEMS NOT KNOWING THEIR TRUE NATURE NOT KNOWING THEIR TRUE DESTINY THUS, PEOPLE GO ‘ROUND AND ‘ROUND IN THE KARMIC CIRCLE OF REBIRTH

58 IGNORANCE IS BASED ON HAUMAI = EGO HAUMAI BLINDS US TO OUR DEPENDENCE ON GOD IT BINDS US TO THE NEED FOR LIBERATION

59 A PERSON CAUGHT UP IN EGO, IN HAUMAI IS CALLED MANMUKH (ONE WHO IS IN BONDAGE TO THE EGO PERSONALITY A PERSON WHOSE FOCUS IS GOD, GOD’S WILL IS CALLED A GURMUKH

60 SIKH STAGES OF LIBERATION: PIETY, KNOWLEDGE, EFFORT, GRACE, TRUTH

FIRST THREE STAGES ARE AS FAR AS A HUMAN CAN GO BY HUMAN EFFORT – PIETY, KNOWLEDGE, EFFORT 4 TH STAGE: GRACE – GOD’S GRACE - HUMAN EFFORT HAS REACHED ITS LIMIT - NOW GOD’S GRACE MUST TAKE THEM FURTHER “IF ONE GOES ONE STEP TOWARDS GOD, THE LORD COMES TOWARD ONE A THOUSAND TIMES.”

62 5 TH STAGE: LIBERATION = MUKTI The level of truth The level of truth Can only be attained if one has gone through the first four stages Can only be attained if one has gone through the first four stages This is one who is ‘God-minded’ = gurmukh This is one who is ‘God-minded’ = gurmukh

63 LIBERATION CAN BE ATTAINED WHILE IN LIFE THIS STATE IS THAT OF THE JIWAN MUKT HERE, JOY AND SORROW ARE THE SAME HAPPINESS IS ETERNAL ONE IS IN A STATE OF BLISS NO KARMA IS ACQUIRED ONE MERGES WITH THE WILL OF THE DIVINE JIWAN MUKTI

64 “MY FRIENDS MET ME AND THEY ASKED ME TO DESCRIBE MY HUSBAND. I WAS SO FILLED WITH THE BLISS OF HIS LOVE THAT I COULDN’T ANSWER THEM” (AG 459).

65 “THE ONE WHO HAS THE LOVE OF GOD’S COMMANDS IN THE HEART IS SAID TO BE JIVAN MUKT. RELEASE IS A PRESENT REALITY; JOY AND SORROW ARE BOTH THE SAME, HAPPINESS IS ETERNAL, THERE IS NO SEPARATION FROM GOD. AS IS GOLD SO IS DUST; AS IS NECTAR SO IS BITTER POISON. HONOUR AND DISHONOUR ARE THE SAME. THE PAUPER AND THE KING ARE ALIKE. WHOEVER REGARDS SUCCESS IN THIS WORLD AS ANY ENTERPRISE ORDAINTED BY GOD, IS SAID TO BE LIBERATED WHILST IN THE BODY” (AG 275).

66 RESULT? SERVICE TO OTHERS: SERVICE TO OTHERS: “Those who meditate on God do good to others” (Guru Arjan). “Those who meditate on God do good to others” (Guru Arjan). Nam Simaran (the practice of meditating on ‘the Name’) Nam Simaran (the practice of meditating on ‘the Name’) Transforming of personality through practice Transforming of personality through practice

67 GOD CONSCIOUSNESS IS BECOMING WHO ONE REALLY IS

68 THE GURU IN SIKHISM BOTH: BOTH: Sat Guru (Eternal Guru = God) Earthly Guru – the historical gurus who were instruments through which the voice of God is heard

69 THROUGH THE GURUS’ WORDS, PEOPLE CAN REACH LIBERATION “THE ATTENDANT WHO PERFORMS THE GURU’S SERVICE, REMAINS ATTACHED TO THE GURU’S HYMNS AND WHO ACCEPTS BOTH GOOD AND BAD WITH EQUANIMITY, WILL IN THIS WAY, BECOME ABSORBED IN GOD” (AG 432)

NISHAN SAHIB: SAFRON FLAG SIGNIFYING GURDWARA WITH KHALSA INSIGNIA

71 KIRTAN: THE SINGING OF HYMNS RAGIS: PROFESSIONAL SINGERS

SIKHS: ANANDPUR: 1999 – 300 TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHALSA

SIKH LANGAR: KITCHENER

SIKH WORSHIP SERVICE: PRASAD DISTRIBUTED