Originally, I intended that this post be about the Sikh people, then about the beautiful principles taught in Sikhism and then about the founder Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh Guru. Reading about all has proven both enlightening and interesting. I was reminded of many valuable lessons.
For example, the monotheistic religion, founded almost 500 years ago, is the fifth largest organized religion in the world with over 30 million Sikhs worldwide. The Sikh religious philosophy has been traditionally known as Gurmat (literally ‘wisdom of the Guru’). Devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, the denouncing of superstition and most importantly, equality of man-kind, are it’s key principles. The Sikh religion teaches respect to all other religions and that one should not only defend one’s religion, but the religious faith of others as a human right as well. At the end of every Sikh prayer, there is a request for the welfare of all humanity.
For such an empathic and equality loving religion, the Sikhs have faced many incidents of discrimination and have been the victims recently of hate crimes. Because the Sikhs do not cut their hair and the men wear turbans, they have been mistakenly identified and targeted as Muslims.
In 2001, a few days after the 9/11 attacks a Sikh owner of a Mesa, AZ gas station was shot and killed, reportedly because his murderer thought he was Muslim. Most recently white supremacist, Wade Michael Page, opened fire in a Sikh temple, killing six and leaving three injured. Incidents such as these, was why shortly after 9/11, the Sikh Coalition was founded to serve as a resource for Sikh organizations and individuals that have faced bigotry, violence and discrimination. With offices in New York and the San Francisco Bay area the coalition provides legal services to a Sikh whose civil or human rights have been violated, advocate for laws and policies that are respectful of human rights and promote an appreciation for diversity through education. Hate, it appears, is viral and no one different (all of us!) is safe.
But what really piqued my interest was reading about the founder of the religion, Guru Nanak, whose teachings proved to be quite progressive. His main teachings were of equality for all humans, denouncing the caste system. He believed that all human beings that had the “light of the Lord” were the same and only by eliminating one’s pride and ego could one see the light at all.
He asked for the equality of women, where in 15th century India, respect and a financial standing for women was non-existent. He looked to elevate the position of woman and in doing so he promoted their equality. He also condemned the ritual of Sati, a religious funeral practice in some Indian communities in which a recently widowed woman would have immolated herself on her husband’s funeral pyre. The Guru also taught that all human beings can have direct access to God, there is no need for rituals and priests to do so, earning an honest living and overcoming selfishness. Interesting, a 500 year old religion that teaches equality, open mindedness, tolerance of others, and speaks out against selfishness and rituals as the only means of access to God.
The following is where I became intrigued. This is what occurred at the time when his biographers say he first founded the religion. See if it sounds familiar.
Earliest biographical writings found in, the Janamsakhis, the most popular biography of the Guru that is recognized today, that at the age of thirty, Guru Nanak had failed to return from his ablutions. His clothes were found on the bank of a local stream and all in the town assumed he had drowned. Three days after disappearing Guru Nanak reappeared and stayed silent until the next day. He then pronounced, “There is neither Hindu nor Mussulman (Muslim) so whose path shall I follow? I shall follow God’s path. God is neither Hindu nor Mussulman and the path which I follow is God’s.”
Guru Nanak said that he had been taken to God’s court. There, he was offered a cup filled with amrit (nectar) and given the command “This is the cup of the adoration of God’s name. Drink it. I am with you. I bless you and raise you up. Whoever remembers you will enjoy my favor. Go, rejoice of my name and teach others to do so. I have bestowed the gift of my name upon you. Let this be your calling.”
In the consecration of the Eucharist in the Catholic Church, which comes from readings of the Gospels, the priest says “Take this, all of you, and eat of it: for this is my body which will be given up for you.” and “Take this, all of you, and drink from it: for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.” Christians believe that Christ rose from the dead after three days and scholars believe he was about thirty when he was crucified.
I’m not here to judge the authenticity of either belief. I don’t want to judge religion either. I will say that I have belief in a God and that there are prophets on Earth that have had divine experiences to share with man-kind. But what I take most from both beliefs is that in spirituality there is one universal truth. The Sikhs are on to something.
If the religious all believe their roots have similar beginnings, couldn’t this prove that God speaks to several blessed prophets of his choice? And if that is the case, aren’t we all the same? If we are all the same or equal, then there is no reason to hate one another, to kill a fellow human being in the name of religion or personal philosophy. I fear that it is impossible to connect these dots for many religious people. I suppose it is more comfortable for them to see differences and superiority over those who they feel are inferior. But I will keep hoping for the day of an acceptance and equality for all and I will add, as the Sikhs do, a request for the welfare of all humanity to my daily meditations.
Photo courtesy of Flickr
