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| The connection between '''Hinduism and Sikh Panth''' has now been extensively discussed since the origin of the Tat Khalsa Singh Sabha. Their are |
The connection between '''Hinduism and Sikh Panth''' has now been extensively discussed since the origin of the Tat Khalsa Singh Sabha. Their are many people who feel that the ] & ] religion were never meant be separate from each other. They argue that the Gurus were trying to unite everyone under god instead of separating people into a Hindu & Sikh category. It could also be argued that Sikhism was trying to unify the Muslim religion along with Hinduism, however, Islam really has no relgious connections with the religions of ]. | ||
| The founder of Sikhism, Baba ], was born in a Hindu family. His son ], founded the ] |
The founder of Sikhism, Baba ], was born in a Hindu family. He never stated to create a new & distinct religion and was actually trying to unite all people together. His son ], founded the ] order & various orders flourished until the early 20th century when the Khalsa order became preeminent. In Northern ] Hinduism and Sikhism have always existed without a well defined border separating the two. Here are some of the reasons given by those who feel that the Gurus did not mean to break into a Hindu & Sikh religion: | ||
| * At the time of the Gurus, most North Indian families would remain Hindu while the eldest son was a Sikh. This shows unity among both sides | * At the time of the Gurus, most North Indian families would remain Hindu while the eldest son was a Sikh. This shows unity among both sides | ||
| * The Gurus never revolted against Hindu teachings. They believed in Karma, Dharma, Reincarnation, being a veggetarian (The final Guru slightly changed that), and reaching Nirvana to gain enlightenment. The Gurus were against orthodox Hinduism, but not the actual teachings. | |||
| * The Gurus themselves had extremely religious Hindu names such as ], ], and ]. And the Guru ] named his son ] as well. It must be noted that these are not average names without any meaning. These are extremely |
* The Gurus themselves had extremely religious Hindu names such as ], ], and ]. And the Guru ] named his son ] as well. It must be noted that these are not average names without any meaning. These are extremely religous holy names. For example if a fater named his son "praise Jesus", it would be natural to assum the fater believed in Jesus. | ||
| * Many Hindus go to both a Gurudwara & Mandir |
* Many Hindus & Sikhs go to both a Gurudwara & Mandir. | ||
| * In general many Hindus & Sikhs have married together & it is not considered shameful if a Sikh and Hindu marry together. | * In general many Hindus & Sikhs have married together & it is not considered shameful if a Sikh and Hindu marry together. | ||
| ⚫ | People who believe in the notion of a Hindu & Sikh unity, argue that Sikhism has slowly seperated into a seperate religion due to political & educational reasons. They argue that their are a disporportionate amount of Sikhs who tend to argue that the 10th Guru did in fact establish the Khalsa, and use that as an argument for a seperate religion, while ignoring the arguments made by the first 9 Gurus. The problem arises among the overseas Sikhs in Canada, UK and USA, who no longer remember the old bonds and connection between Hindus & SIkhs in India. Many of them cannot read Sikh texts in the original language, and often times live in an isolated Sikh community, and the separation has been very effective. The attempts to separate Sikhs and Hindus was less successful in distant regions like Sindh, Afghanistan, Nanded etc. | ||
| Sikhism, however differs from Hinduism in the following respects: | |||
| * Guru Nanak rejected Hinduism, by rejecting the Janeo (Hindu sacred thread), or conformation of Hinduism. | |||
| *Sikhism does not believe in idol worship or ancestor worship. | |||
| *Sikhs are permitted to eat meat<ref></ref>. (provided it is not ritually slaughtered). The Sikhs Guru's who were from Khatri/Kshatriya (warrior descent), had no qualms about meat eating. Vaishnav Hinduism emphasises strict Vegetarianism. | |||
| *Sikhs believe that Karma can be broken by Gods will and submitting to God's will and trying to change what one can. Hinduism believes you have to die and be reincarnated in your next life to reach a higher level of existence. | |||
| *Sikhs do not believe in going on pilgrimages or bathing at Holy rivers etc. | |||
| *Sikhs believe in equality of man and women. In Hinduism the woman is subservient to the man. | |||
| *Sikhs do not believe in a caste system (unlike Hinduism). | |||
| ⚫ | People who believe in the notion of a Hindu & Sikh unity, argue that Sikhism has slowly |
||
| In the past the Sikhs have reciprocated however the new Sikh Rahit Maryada specifically prohibits the Sikhs from participating in Hindu religious activities. An interpretation of the rules of the ] (]) states that non-Sikhs are not permitted to marry under the ] marriage ceremony, therefore, many Sikhs now feel that they are not permitted to marry Hindus, Muslims or persons from any other religious group. | In the past the Sikhs have reciprocated however the new Sikh Rahit Maryada specifically prohibits the Sikhs from participating in Hindu religious activities. An interpretation of the rules of the ] (]) states that non-Sikhs are not permitted to marry under the ] marriage ceremony, therefore, many Sikhs now feel that they are not permitted to marry Hindus, Muslims or persons from any other religious group. | ||
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| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 05:48, 13 July 2006
The connection between Hinduism and Sikh Panth has now been extensively discussed since the origin of the Tat Khalsa Singh Sabha. Their are many people who feel that the Hindu & Sikh religion were never meant be separate from each other. They argue that the Gurus were trying to unite everyone under god instead of separating people into a Hindu & Sikh category. It could also be argued that Sikhism was trying to unify the Muslim religion along with Hinduism, however, Islam really has no relgious connections with the religions of India.
The founder of Sikhism, Baba Nanak, was born in a Hindu family. He never stated to create a new & distinct religion and was actually trying to unite all people together. His son Sri Chand, founded the Udasi order & various orders flourished until the early 20th century when the Khalsa order became preeminent. In Northern India Hinduism and Sikhism have always existed without a well defined border separating the two. Here are some of the reasons given by those who feel that the Gurus did not mean to break into a Hindu & Sikh religion:
- At the time of the Gurus, most North Indian families would remain Hindu while the eldest son was a Sikh. This shows unity among both sides
- The Gurus never revolted against Hindu teachings. They believed in Karma, Dharma, Reincarnation, being a veggetarian (The final Guru slightly changed that), and reaching Nirvana to gain enlightenment. The Gurus were against orthodox Hinduism, but not the actual teachings.
- The Gurus themselves had extremely religious Hindu names such as Har Krishan, Ram Das, and Arjun Dev. And the Guru Har Rai named his son Ram as well. It must be noted that these are not average names without any meaning. These are extremely religous holy names. For example if a fater named his son "praise Jesus", it would be natural to assum the fater believed in Jesus.
- Many Hindus & Sikhs go to both a Gurudwara & Mandir.
- In general many Hindus & Sikhs have married together & it is not considered shameful if a Sikh and Hindu marry together.
People who believe in the notion of a Hindu & Sikh unity, argue that Sikhism has slowly seperated into a seperate religion due to political & educational reasons. They argue that their are a disporportionate amount of Sikhs who tend to argue that the 10th Guru did in fact establish the Khalsa, and use that as an argument for a seperate religion, while ignoring the arguments made by the first 9 Gurus. The problem arises among the overseas Sikhs in Canada, UK and USA, who no longer remember the old bonds and connection between Hindus & SIkhs in India. Many of them cannot read Sikh texts in the original language, and often times live in an isolated Sikh community, and the separation has been very effective. The attempts to separate Sikhs and Hindus was less successful in distant regions like Sindh, Afghanistan, Nanded etc.
In the past the Sikhs have reciprocated however the new Sikh Rahit Maryada specifically prohibits the Sikhs from participating in Hindu religious activities. An interpretation of the rules of the Anand Karaj (Sikh Marriage ceremony) states that non-Sikhs are not permitted to marry under the Anand Karaj marriage ceremony, therefore, many Sikhs now feel that they are not permitted to marry Hindus, Muslims or persons from any other religious group.
Here is the chronology of the main events leading to the modern perceptions about the Sikh Panth and Hinduism.
- 1879: Tat Khalsa Singh Sabha founded to replace the traditional Sanatan Singh Sabha.
- 1882: Max Arthur Macauliffe in Punjab since 1864, appointed Deputy Commissioner in Punjab.
- 1889: Kahan Singh Nabha writes "Hum Hindu Nahin".
- 1909: McAuliffe's "Sikh religion: its gurus, sacred writings, and authors" published
- 1920: Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) formed.
- 1920s: Nankana Sahib, Punja Sahib, Golden Temple, TarnTaran Sahib taken over from mahants.
- 1915, 1931: New Rehat Maryada compiled to replace existing Rahits.
- 1950: Sikh Rahit Maryada approved.
Links
- Kahn Singh Nabha
- MA McAuliffe
- Tat Khalsa Singh Sabha
- SIKHS ARE NOT HINDUS
- Are the Sikhs Hindus?
- Tat Khalsa Singh Sabhias
- Khushwant Singh: "Guru Granth Sahib reflects Vedantic philosophy"
References
- Harjot Oberoi, The Construction of Religious Boundaries : Culture, Identity, and Diversity in the Sikh Tradition, University Of Chicago Press 1994.
