Series 2 Understanding Sikhism

Author:  Dr kanwaljit kaur-singh

‘patka’ the smaller version of a turban. Because of the wearing of a patka or a turban, Sikhs, particularly young boys meet a lot of prejudice and are sometimes mistaken for girls. Adults need to be sensitive to this issue, as young boys do not like being called girls and take offence and feel hurt.
Marriage, sex, contraception, abortion, divorce, euthanasia
Marriage is regarded very highly in the Sikh faith. All Sikh Gurus were married (except one who died at a very young age). Sikhs are taught that sex should be enjoyed within marriage and sex before marriage or outside marriage is disapprove. It is up to the couple to decide to use contraception or the method of it, there is no religious reasons for or against it.
Abortion is not encouraged, but is allowed in certain circumstances such as in case of a rape or the ill health of the mother. Marriage is a life long commitment and divorce is discouraged. Couples are encouraged to look to the needs of their partner. However, divorce is allowed if there is an irrevocable break down of marriage.
Euthanasia (mercy Killing) is not allowed. Sikhism teaches that life and death are in God’s hand, and human beings should not take it upon themselves to end life. However, prolonging of life by artificial means and putting a person through unnecessary suffering is also inappropriate.
Pacifism
Sikhism teaches non-violent approach to life but, justifies the taking up of arms if all means fail to protect the weak. Gurus themselves had to take up arms to protect the right of all human beings to choose the religion they preferred and not to bow down to the cruelty of Islam professing Mughal Rulers. They not only defended Sikhs but all others who were being persecuted for their faith. Kirpan, a sword is one of the 5 Ks, but it is not an offensive weapon but a symbol for protecting the weak and standing up for justice. Sikhism teaches that it is the love of God’s humanity that produces actions of defending them.
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Published by:
Network of Sikh Organisations UK
Tel: 020 8540 4148
020 8544 8037
Website: www.nsouk.co.uk
Email: sikhmessenger@aol.com


SIKH FAITH

SIKH PRACTICES


Basic Facts
Series - 2

Gurdwara, a Sikh place of Worship
The Sikh place of worship is called gurdwara. It is open to all; anyone and everyone who wants to pray to God can come. Regardless of social status everyone sits on the floor. There are no assigned places or reserved areas. Men and women are given equal status. Sikh women take equal part in leading services and conducting ceremonies.
Congregation – (The Sangat)
Sikhs worship only God. Anyone who believes in the Oneness of God and wants to worship can join the Sikh congregation. No one can be barred on the basis of caste, religious belief or sex. There are no special holy days or specific time for Sikhs to pray. In this country, the congregation usually gets together at the weekends.
There is no priesthood in Sikhism, so any male or female who can read the Sikh scripture-Guru Granth Sahib and is knowledgeable about Sikhism can take the service. However, as volunteers do not always have the time, the gurdwara management committees appoint staff to lead services, and conduct ceremonies and the celebration of festivals.
The Guru Granth Sahib – (The Sikh scriptures)
Sikhs believe that the highest authority is God, and that his truth is revealed through the Gurus and is contained in the Guru Granth Sahib. It contains the writings of the Sikh Gurus and of followers of Hindu and Islam whose views were similar to the Gurus. There are writings of a king and poor artisans who were considered of low caste by Hindus.
Since the Guru Granth Sahib take the place of the living Guru, it is treated with the utmost respect and is central to the Sikh way of life, its ceremonies, festivals and code of conduct.
A visitor to a gurdwara, would see that the Guru Granth Sahib occupies the most revered place, covered with a rumalla (a cloth), resting on cushions on a dais, with a canopy above it. A member of the congregation remains in constant attendance and waves a chaur (a traditional fan or whisk) All these items are symbolic of the importance of Guru Granth Sahib.
The worshippers enter the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib without shoes and with heads covered. They bow before the Guru Granth Sahib and touch the floor with their heads before sitting down. These are the marks of respect shown to the teachings contained in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Langar
Each Gurdwara contains a langar (common kitchen). After every service the members of the congregation eat together. This is to show that people of diverse backgrounds eat together as they all belong to the one family of God. No distinction is made between rich and poor, giver and the receiver. This is a social leveling device emphasising the equality of all humanity. Here men and women of all classes and colours are jointly engaged in preparing and serving food to all. This also emphasises the fact that housework is the joint responsibility of men and women.
Diet
There are no restrictions on what Sikhs eat, except they are forbidden to eat ritually killed meat by which the animal dies slowly. Food in the langar is always vegetarian so that it is suitable for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
Dress
There are no restrictions on what Sikhs wear, except that men must cover their un-cut hair with turbans and boys wear