rituals and traditions of world religions
The Youngest Religion: Sikhism

by Vicki Merbler

The first teacher or Guru of the Sikh religion began a following in 1469 in rural farm land. Today, the religion exists in the same area known as the Indian state of Punjab. There are approximately 23 million Sikhs worldwide including those in America. However, 60 percent of Sikhs live in Punjab; known also as the land of five rivers, where they form two-thirds of the population.

The teachings come from 10 Gurus. Founded on tolerance and equality during a time in India when a pacifist faith turned militant to save the lives of its people, a sacred order of Sikhs was formed known as the Khalsa. A special flag with two swords flew over the temple to preserve the faith.

The Sikhs believe in one supreme and personal being which is formless and resides in each of us. They refer to the being as the Universal God. Each Guru represents a divine attribute. The first taught Humility. Guru Nanak aligned with no religion but rather respected all religions. The name of God is truth or “Sat Nam.” He spread the message of one creator at a time in India when the country was being ripped apart by castes, sectarianism and fanaticism. He taught the learners to bow before God and to link with the Light of Truth, hence the name, Guru. Through time the other teachers of light each represented the attributes of Obedience, Equality, Service, Self-Sacrifice, Justice, Mercy, Purity, Tranquility and Royal Courage.

The wearing of the turban is perhaps the most distinguishing of the Sikhs. Men who are described as not cutting their hair cover the head with the cloth and the face with hair. Ideally women wear a patka and chuni over the turban. One goes underneath the chin and symbolizes that she is not sexually available. The tradition is described as protecting her energy, and the hair for men is explained the same. The turban is a symbol of their faith.

Unlike other religions the turban is not meant to discriminate. If a turban cannot be worn due to social pressures for any reason, then it simply is not worn. The Sikhs are proud to wear them, but some have unfortunately been mistaken for Muslims or Taliban following the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and have been killed.

The colors of the turbans have significance. Royal blue is worn by the Sikh ministers. Black turbans represent the surrender of the ego. While they come in many colors, white and saffron orange are the colors most worn.

In the temple in Punjab, people of all races and castes are served food every hour. The people in the temple only need to remove their shoes before entering. Before prayer one is expected to be clean.

The Adi Granth or the written Word of all the teachings was completed in 1604 and installed in the Golden Temple. The last of the Gurus to take human form, Guru Gobind Singh dictated all of the Shabads to Guru Teg Bahadur and placed his own Shabads in a separate Granth, the Dasam Granth. The expanded version of the Adi Granth was then finally installed October 20, 1708. This day is celebrated now as Guru Gadi Day. \

Vicki Merbler is a practicing spiritual medium, psychic, Master Reiki Healer, and intuition development teacher. She reads on the phone and in person by appointment. (910) 619-1084 or visit www.seebeauty.com to learn more.

Printed in the February/March 2007 issue of Innerchange.