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Seeking Sikhism
Topics: Sikh, Sikhism, Bakersfield, Bakotopia, Seeking Sikhism, Guru, Gurdwara Sahib
Posted by Chase Tue Feb 19, 2008 14:01:52 PST
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0 responses 4 comments Location: 1925 Planz Road, Bakersfield, CA 93304

Seeking Sikhism
Understanding the differences between our neighbors through education



By Chase Brockett, Bakotopia.com contributor

They are not Taliban.

They are not even Muslim, for that matter, let alone Shi'a. They are Sikhs.
 
Albeit the turbans seem to project a cultural divergence that does not resonate comfortably with the common American culture, it does not take much to unearth both the religious and cultural framework behind the Sikh community.

I myself probably would have never made much of an effort in trying to understand Sikhism were it not for two factors that pushed me into a Sikh temple, one fall morning, those being the intermittent barrages of pig heads on the doorstep of a particular Sikh Temple, and secondly, a significantly weighted grade in a religious studies project.
 
Reading about the occasional (in what I am guessing were acts committed in post-9/11 sentiment toward Middle-Easterners,) pig’s head left for the Sikhs has also peaked my curiosity as to why people are so blatantly ignorant to the truth of certain situations.

I admit that I was not, until this point, actively seeking information on this group, but in that, I would also never posture around notions in which I was blind to their validity.

Statements associating Sikhs with terrorists are one example. But maybe we are simply not exposed to these diverse manifestations of life and culture on a personal basis?

I understand the part of human nature that attaches false assumptions to those things which are too far removed from common culture, but there are times when you must force yourself to at least glimpse at what is. To take the time to understand that, as varied as our religious beliefs and traditions are, they all share a common thread. Sometimes that thread is thicker than others. In all reality, Sikhism is not that far removed from the dominating Western theological perspectives that much of our nation feels comfortable with.

Above: Khanda - symbol of the Sikh

So what is it then? Sikh is a Punjabi word meaning “disciple.” Sikhism is a religion whose aim is to simplify individuals with their union to God. Tolerance and the aim to connect the individual with God through becoming ever conscious of God are the quantifying features of this religion.
 
Unfortunately, many of the connections and parallels between most of the world’s religions are lost on people. It is especially odd to consider much of it has to do with whatever “complex” moniker for God is used. Because of this, many people fail to see that the Christian God is the same as the Muslim “Allah,” and “HaShem” for the Jews. This is arguably one of the most inane of the qualms between religions. The different names of god are no different than calling Joseph “José,” or Jesus “Jésus,” or pronouncing the Tetragrammaton as “Jehovah.” Likewise, the God of the Sikhs is the same God that is present in the church, synagogue or mosque.


 
Sikhism is monotheistic - there is only one God. This belief is clearly similar to Judeo / Christian and Islamic thought. The divergence from Christianity lies in the rejection of the idea that God had taken, or will ever take, human form. Jesus and most of his philosophies are embraced, but he is not the son of God, but a son of God, as we, under Sikhism, are all considered children of God. This then would connect the understanding of God on that level with Islam, where Jesus was a messenger and a prophet of God but not God himself. Most people are only aware of Jesus in Christianity and do not know that he is present in many different religions. Seeing Jesus in these different contexts has made me appreciate his diverse abilities, such as “Jesus - the Son of God,” and “Jesus - that guy who wasn’t God incarnate but was still alright in my book.”



Sikhism’s teachings are also starkly anti-idolatry. Idol worship is rejected and it is made clear that the treatment of their Guru is not worship but reverence. I should probably mention now that after the passing of the last human guru, it was set into play that all that is necessary to be taught in Sikhism can be done so through their scripture, which is now considered their final Guru. This, even I will admit, seemed a peculiar practice. The book is treated as though it were actually a living and breathing person. It is woken in the morning, it is put to sleep, and it is given a number of other treatments of which I am momentarily unclear. Regardless of the respect the book gets from the Sikh community, it is understood that it is merely a tool of teaching, and that one is not required to read from it to gain salvation. Salvation is through God and only God, and there is no dictation which can come from man that can determine otherwise.



Ultimately, Sikhism can be viewed as the bridge between traditional Eastern and Western theological perspectives. Along with monotheism and anti-idolatry, Sikhism adopts the ideas of “karma” and “samsara” (the cycle of rebirths). This religion holds that as humans we can merge with God (breaking out of samsara) if we are conscious of God and live an honest life. Sikhism also promotes equality among all, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, and even religion. This can be seen in practice at the Sikh Temples, known as Gurdwaras, where everyone sits on the floor together and the temple provides the same food under the same conditions for everyone, regardless of whether they are in fact Sikh. The Gurdwaras are open to the public and do not require you to be Sikh to attend. The only requirements are that shoes are removed and heads are covered prior to entering the area of worship. In most cases, men and women sit on opposite sides of the room, but only to prevent “kam,” which is the vice of lust.


 
There are three basics of Sikhism that effectively sum up the religion. The first tenet is to always remember the creator in every waking moment, secondly to commit to an honest living (for example, no crime and likewise, only legitimate financial means.) Lust (Kam), anger (Krodh), greed (Lobh), worldly attachment (Moh) and pride (Ahankar) are the vices that separate us from God. Egoism and selfishness is what is considered the divide between us and God, and the Guru’s role is to assist us in breaking these bonds. However, sin itself was created not by man, or a result of absence from God. Rather, sin was created by God in order to “exercise” our spiritual bodies in the same way we exercise our physical bodies. It should also be noted that although the Gurus are considered major spiritual leaders, they are not considered divine and they are not the only means of connecting with God.
 
Sikhism does include particular customs to be observed. More specifically, for all those who have been baptized as Sikhs, the wearing of the five signs is a requirement. Those five symbols (known as the 5 Ks), as established by the 9th Guru (who is significant, just take my word for it) after forced into defense against an oppressive Muslim government, are a steel bracelet (Kara); a ceremonial sword (Kirpan); uncut hair (Kesh) wrapped in a turban; a comb (Kangha); and a particular undergarment (Kachha).



Each of these signs symbolizes the different virtues and values in the Sikh community.  The most recognizable of the signs is the uncut hair wrapped in a turban, the turban signifying dignity and long hair which symbolizes spirituality (in the same vein as Jesus and other spiritual leaders). The accompanying comb proclaims cleanliness and dignity, which is a symbolic counter to many ascetic practices. The sword is largely symbolic of dignity and struggle against oppression and is strictly for defensive purposes. The undergarment is representative of chastity (although celibacy is rejected) and the steel bracelet serves as a reminder of restraint. Ultimately, each object is also intended as a reminder of God.
  
As with any religion, there can be an inconsistency between canon and practice. I will admit right away that I am not in touch with Bakersfield's Sikh community to any extent that would allow me to comment on preaching versus practice, such as I have previously done with aspects of Christianity. It is for sake of unbiased honesty that I aim only to present information that may clear at least some of the core misconceptions that muddy the waters of our diverse community. These misconceptions are almost always based on faulty connections between unfamiliar territories. People see a particular pigment of skin and immediately associate it with the happenings in the Middle East. From there it becomes a mountain of fallacious reasoning. It moves from “they are of Middle Eastern descent,” to “They must be Muslim” and “All Muslims are terrorists” to “They must be terrorists,” and we see where the breakdown occurs.
 
Amidst much post 9/11 sentiment, many forget that even Jesus was from the Middle East.*

 *Note: Sikhs are of Indian descent, not Middle Eastern.  Some of the statements made relating to the Middle East in the article are misleading in that sense, and for that I apologize.  

On the web: www.allaboutsikhs.com

Originally printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 22, 2-22-08

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Comment From: meestro

I know it might be irrelavant to the gist of the article, or mistaken for an issue of semantics, but even grouping a set of Indians with Middle-Easterners displays ignorance. India is a South Asian country, and while it borders the Middle East, it's distinctly cultured compared to Middle Eastern countries. Comment From: Chase

You are completely right, and I am aware of this. I brought up the middle east thing mostly because the associations people make are with the Middle East. But in the midst of my editing of things, I realized that I actually nixed the part where I talk about the origins in India. Again though, I agree that I didn't make the distinction clear. Comment From: Dizzyfingers

Hiya Chase...Thank You for your work on this article...Hopefully understanding can foster tolerance....Peace....... Comment From: tashkajones

Great job Chase!! I particularly do not care for how people look down upon other religions simply because they are different than their own. They are closer than anybody wants to accept. I also have a hard time when anybody declares a religion a bad group of people. There are bad within all classifications of people. Goodness, if you ask the KKK, they are the most God bearing people you can encounter. However, that hasn't tarnished the Christian faith in America, why should any other religion be treated differently. Now I'm rambling. hehe.