Sihk: Practice for the righteous on Hola Mohalla

March 10, 2012 by

Sikhs gather for a service. Photo in public domain courtesy of flickrFRIDAY, MARCH 9: It may sound like Holi, but today’s Sikh festival of Hola Mohalla takes a masculine form of the word Holi—and a very masculine meaning. Since the start of Hola Mohalla by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, Sikhs have been gathering on the day after Holi for impressive displays of Sikh martial arts, horse riding, archery, swordsmanship and more. In a festival that usually lasts an entire week, Sikhs camp together, eat vegetarian meals in communion and listen to inspirational music and poetry. As self-defense and fighting for the righteous is deeply engrained in the Sikh religion, Hola Mohalla presents an opportunity for those trained to display (and practice) their skills. (Wikipedia has details.)

It was February of 1701 when Guru Gobind Singh had just established the Khalsa Panth, a group of elite soldiers whose members had individually displayed a unique bravery. The 10th Guru created a day of mock battles to both exercise his soldiers and motivate other Sikhs—a tradition that has now become Hola Mohalla. The Khalsa Panth was easily recognized by items such as uncut hair, swords and steel bracelets for its members; today, the Khalsa Panth descendants—Nihang Singhs—wear deep blue robes and decorative turbans. Nihang Singhs carry both traditional weapons and modern firearms, as they are thoroughly trained in a wide array of fighting techniques.

By the start of the festival, this week, news bloggers in India are estimating “tens of thousands” and “a sea of humanity” gathered at the Sikh holy site of Anandpur Sahib in northern India. There’s even more background about this festival in the SikhiWiki, an online encyclopedia set up by Sikhs themselves.

Sikh: Look to the 40 ‘Immortals’ during Maghi

January 13, 2012 by

Photo in public domainFRIDAY, JANUARY 13: Bonfires light up the night for many Indians marking Lohri, the Punjabi winter festival, tonight, but for Sikhs, the fire signals something bigger: Maghi. Devotees today remember the sacrifice of the 40 “Immortal” Sikhs who defended Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1705, when the Mughal army marched in pursuit of the 10th guru. (AllAboutSikhs has more.) It was 40 followers who had previously deserted the Sikh leader who fought off the army and prevented an attack on Gobind Singh, and it’s recorded that Guru Gobind Singh himself cremated the bodies of the 40 men on Maghi.

Sikhs worldwide will recite hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book) and watch recitals today, but the largest festival in the world takes place at Mukstar, a district town of the Punjab. In Mukstar, Sikhs attend extravagant fairs, visit shrines and participate in a march to Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib, a place well known for its favor by Guru Gobind Singh.

American Sikhs have recently asked leaders of Punjab for something besides a fair: a stricter focus on environmental issues. Representatives of EcoSikh, a Washington-based Sikh environmental group, have called Punjab’s environment “disturbing,” adding that they believe “this must become the focus of attention for the people living in the state and the entire Punjabi diaspora.” (Read more from MSN.)

Originally published at readthespirit.com, an online magazine covering religion and cultural diversity.

Sikh: Learn martial arts on Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday

January 5, 2012 by

Photo in public domainTHURSDAY, JANUARY 5: It’s the birth anniversary of Sikhism’s last human guru today, Guru Gobind Singh, born in 1666. The Sikh faith follows the direction of 10 spiritual leaders, or gurus, and the last in line—Gobind Singh—succeeded his father at just 9 years old. As Guru Gobind Singh served the last in line of human gurus, some argue that he had the most influence on Sikhs’ practices today. (Learn more in an article from the Times of India.)

During a childhood filled with lessons in Persian, Sanskrit and the art of war, Gobind saw his father face a dilemma: the Mughal emperor of India was attempting to convert all Indians to Islam under heavy persecution. When his father was martyred, the young Gobind had already been appointed the next guru; during his lifetime, Gobind would teach Sikhs not to accept exploitation and to practice righteousness even in the face of death. (Wikipedia has details.) Gobind established the Khalsa Panth, a group of soldiers for Sikhism, and several of the customs that Sikhs maintain today. Upon his death, he assigned Guru Granth Sahib—the Sikh holy book—the title of everlasting and permanent guru. (Learn more at Sikh-history.com.)

Birthday celebrations can include everything from processions and martial arts demonstrations to readings from the Guru Granth Sahib. It’s common for gurdwara volunteers to serve meals to thousands of devotees as they flow in and out of the gurdwara during this special day.

Although some Sikhs commemorated the guru’s birth at the end of last month, the Nanakshahi calendar—introduced in 1998—designates Jan. 5 as the fixed date for the 10th guru’s birthday. (Check out a photo of the Golden Temple in India, brightly lit for birthday celebrations.) The calendar is accepted by approximately 90 percent of global gurdwaras, with the exception of some orthodox sects of Sikhism.

Originally published at readthespirit.com, an online magazine covering religion and cultural diversity.

Sikh: Martyrdom redefined on death date of Guru Bahadur

November 23, 2011 by

Photo in public domainSUNSET WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23: Martyrs can be found in nearly every faith, but it’s an unprecedented sacrifice that’s remembered today in Sikhism: Guru Tegh Bahadur gave up his life for the religious freedom of all. (Details are at Sikh-History.com.) More specifically, it was on this day in 1675 that Sikhism’s ninth guru, Tegh Bahadur, publicly opposed the religious persecution going on in India, thereby calling all future Sikhs to not only accept other religions but to be ready to die for them.

Guru Tegh Bahadur was born the youngest of five sons of the eighth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind; it’s said that upon his birth, Tegh Bahadur was pronounced by his father to be the one who would become the next guru. Guru Hargobind named him Tegh Bahadur, or “Mighty of Sword,” although he predicted quite the opposite: one who would “protect the weak and relieve their distress.” Throughout his life, Guru Bahadur indeed would teach—and demonstrate—that strength is gained through truth, sacrifice and knowledge. (Learn more from SikhiWiki.)

According to Sikh tradition: Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb forced Islam upon India in 1669, and it was Guru Tegh Bahadur who stepped out against the unjust taxing of Hindus and the burning of Hindu temples. This guru was beheaded in 1675, and the site of his execution was later turned into a Sikh gurdwara, or place of worship.

Sikh: Remember the first on Guru Nanak’s jayanti

November 9, 2011 by

THE GURU NANAK DEV JI GURDWARA in India. Photo in public domain.THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10: While Hindus and Jains in India are busy celebrating Katik Poornima, the Sikhs of India—as well as Sikhs worldwide—mark a coinciding Gurpurab, or Guru Nanak’s birthday. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism. (Wikipedia has details.) Born in present-day Pakistan in 1469, Guru Nanak focused his life on prayer and meditation, despite his parents’ wishes that he tend to the land. Sikhs honor all 10 Gurus’ birthdays, but Guru Nanak’s is one of the most sacred.

All Sikh Gurpurabs, or Guru birthdays (also known as jayantis), are marked with a 48-hour reading of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh scriptures) and followed by morning services. Hymns are sung, poems are read and all give praise for Guru Nanak Dev Ji. (Get a full perspective from the Times of India.) After the services, a free community lunch is provided so that everyone present can be “offered food in the spirit of service and devotion.”

Hindu, Jain, Sikh: Light up the night during Diwali

October 23, 2011 by

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26: The countdown is finally over and India’s largest festival of the year has arrived—today begins Diwali! The “festival of lights” holds special significance for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs alike and the symbolism is the same: light over darkness. For thousands of years, celebrants have lit small (usually clay) oil lamps outside of their homes during Diwali, forming a row of lights on the darkest night of the month. (Learn more at DiwaliFestival.org.)

Traditionally, the date of Diwali depends on the position of the moon, since Diwali must always begin on Amavasya—“no moon day”—and it’s on this night that the lights can shine at their brightest. While rejoicing in light, families and friends gather for elaborate meals, watch bright fireworks shows and wear new clothing. Long hours spent in the kitchen result in a multitude of sweet treats that can be shared around the community. For the business community, Diwali means the start of a new financial year. For each of the five days of Diwali, a different deity is worshipped and ancient stories are remembered. (Wikipedia has details.)

Diwali may be India’s biggest festival, but that doesn’t mean it’s limited to Indian borders—Diwali, or Deepavali, is also an official holiday in countries including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trinidad, Fiji, Malaysia and Singapore, just to name a few. Hindus honor Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and pray for a successful coming financial year; Jains know Diwali as the time Lord Mahavira achieved moksha, or nirvana, in 527 BCE; and Sikhs remember the release of Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 princes from prison in 1619. Even Buddhists chant mantras during Diwali! Just before winter begins, India marks the end of the harvest season with one last, massive party—Diwali. (Get the lowdown in simple terms from Kids.NationalGeographic.com.)

Many Indians may be reverting back to homemade decorations this Diwali, as inflation rockets and gold, in particular, is bought in smaller quantities. India is currently the world’s largest importer of precious metal, but with prices having risen 40 percent since last Diwali, imports are expected to drop dramatically. It may be the perfect time to rekindle old traditions, too, since more Indians are moving away from home to pursue a career and losing touch with cultural rituals. (Times of India has an article.) In fact, Halloween is the most recent holiday to have been adopted by many Indians, and although Halloween is much more budget-friendly than Diwali, many have voiced the need for India to remain faithful to its roots.

WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCEMENT ON DIWALI

The Obama family was the first to add Diwali to the list of many holidays and festivals observed by the White House family and staff. The president’s Diwali greeting for 2011 is as follows:

“Today, here in America and around the world, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists will celebrate the holiday of Diwali—the festival of lights. Many who observe this holiday do so by lighting the Diya, or lamp, which symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. I was proud to be the first President to mark Diwali and light the Diya at the White House, and last year Michelle and I were honored to join in Diwali celebrations during our visit to India. Diwali is a time for gathering with family and friends and—as we experienced in India—celebrating with good food and dancing.  It is also a time for contemplation and prayer that serves as a reminder of our obligations to our fellow human beings, especially the less fortunate. To all who are observing this sacred holiday here and around the world, Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak.”

Sikh: Installation of Scripture as Guru Granth Sahib

October 16, 2011 by

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20: Among sacred texts around the world, the Adi Granth is unique in several ways: It contains wisdom from esteemed members of other religions, was compiled by multiple faith leaders and now is seen as the head of Sikhism itself—the faith’s central guru or teacher. Today, Sikhs honor the Installation of the Scriptures as Guru Granth. On this day in 1708, the ninth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, announced that he would be the last in a line of living Sikh Gurus. Today, the sacred collection known as the Adi Granth was officially installed as the 10th and everlasting Guru, named Guru Granth Sahib. (Learn more at Sikhs.org.)

Sikhs do not worship the Guru Granth Sahib, but they do reverently respect its wisdom as their spiritual guide. Many Sikh practices reflect this reverence: the Granth Sahib is opened in the Gurdwara (house of worship) every day, in the center of the Gurdwara and on a raised platform known as a throne; the book is always opened, read and closed ceremonially, with an awning placed above it; and whenever the Guru Granth Sahib is brought into a room, Sikhs stand up to honor its presence. (Wikipedia has details.) Many Sikhs even choose to learn Gurmukhi, the language designed and used by the Sikh Gurus, so that they can fully comprehend the meaning of all writings in the sacred book.

Just what does Guru Granth Sahib contain? The book is divided into poems, with messages such as: all people of the world are equal; women are equal to men; there is one God for all; one should speak and live truthfully; and all should live in God’s will/order. (Read more from the Times of India.)

As a fairly young religion, Sikhism is not as widely understood as more ancient faiths. Many Sikhs spend time raising awareness, particularly since some of their customs (ex: covering the head) can be misunderstood by the unaware. The 8th Annual Sikh International Film Festival recently raised awareness in New York, as tens of thousands gathered to get an inside peek at this lesser-known body of faith. (Check out an interview from NPR.)