NEW YORK, NY: Columbia University held its second one day conference on Sikh studies, where topics ranging from Sikh theology in a comparative context to the theological content of the recorded speeches of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were discussed by a gathering of distinguished scholars on Sikhism on March 31.

Conferences on Sikhism The first conference “Sikh Studies” The American Agenda’”’ included presentation from five major scholars of Sikhism in America. The papers are rewritten for publication and are ready to go for Columbia University Press review. Professor Hawley, who is editing this volume with Mann, hoped that the book will be ready before the end of 1990.

This year’s theme was Sikh Theology It was well attended by both Columbia and the local Sikh community. Professor Embree started the day with his warm welcome address in which he claimed that the completely filled seminar room of the Institute, on a Saturday morning, indicates the significance of the event. The morning session was chaired by Professor Mark Juergensmeyer of the University of Hawaii. He called this “‘an historic event” deserving an all-night travel to be in time in the morning. According to him, the balance of Sikh studies has moved to the east coast in the past two years, and Columbia is fast emerging as the leader in the field.

Columbia Expands Sikh Studies Program, Decision Announced at its Second Sikh Studies Conference.

Professor Ainslie T. Embree, Dean of School for International Affairs, Professor Johns. Hawley, Director Southern Asian Institute of Columbia University, and Mr. Baldev Singh, Mr. Rabinder Singh Bhamra, and Mr. Manjit Singh Shukla, of Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill met briefly during the second Sikh Studies Conference at Columbia University day. They assessed the growth of the two years program, and expressed deep satisfaction about its progress. They all looked forward to enlarging the program and making it a regular part of the Columbia curriculum. Mr, Bhamra on behalf of the Sikh Cultural Society thanked both the Professors for their efforts to make the program possible, and promised them the society’s support. They were all happy that Columbia and the New York area Sikh community have played this pioneer role in establishing a Sikh Studies program in the US.

Teaching

Columbia University is the only places in the country were courses related to Sikh studies are regularly taught. With the expansion in the program Columbia will be offering the following range of courses:

“Sikhism” a major survey course on the tradition “Introduction to the Sacred Language of Guru Granth Sahib,” “The Basic Scriptural Texts of Sikhism” and “Modern Punjabi I11”

“This gives us a unique place among American universities,” according to Gurinder Singh Mann who teaches at Columbia and is deeply involved in the development of the program. He went on to add that Sikh families should be made aware of this development so that they could keep Columbia in mind while planning the university education for their children. In addition to studying in one of the finest universities in the country, they will have the added benefit of learning about their own tradition in an academic setting. Pawaninder Singh Dhingra, who is undergraduates in Computer Science, endorsed these views. According to him, the opportunity learns to read and understand Guru Granth Sahib was an important achievement of his Columbia years. He thanked both Columbia and the Sikh Cultural Society for making it possible.

Lectures

During these past two years in addition to teaching, the Southern Asian Institute hosted lectures relating to Sikh themes.

Prof J.S. Grewal Director Advanced Institute of Indian Studies, Shimla, “The Historical Precedent for Sikh Nationalism in India, March 1988. ProfS.S. Kohli, Department of Punjabi, Punjab University Chandigarh, Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh Ethics,” December 1988.

Prof Madanjit Kaur, Department of Religious Studies, Gumu Nanak Dev University Amritsar, ‘The Khalsa” A Historical Perspective,” December 88. Prof W.M. Callwwaerth of the Kaatholieke University of Leuven, “Early Recessions of Gum Granth Sahib,” February 1989.

Gurinder Singh Mann, “Inside the Punjab Today,” February 1990.

Sikh Studies Association

In the fall 1988, some Sikh students at Columbia formed the Association, with the main objective of creating a forum where the issues facing the Sikh community, in India and overseas can be addressed. The Association strives for a better understanding of the Sikh religion and the future aspirations of the Sikh community. They invite guest lecturers to discuss these issues. Professor Gurcharan Singh of Marymount Manhattan College has worked closely with the group in its activities. The members keep close touch with and participate in the activities of the Sikh Cultural Society. They also presented the society in Inter faith group meetings.

The morning session began with a think piece from Professor Hawley, who is the leading American expert on medieval Hinduism. He presented the problems inherent in the very use of the Christian word Theology in the Context of Sikhism and he made the point that the exposition should emerge from the tradition itself rather than an external framework being imposed upon it. Professor Hawley’s paper brilliantly laid out the agenda for the day.

Pishaura Singh of Toronto University, spoke on the Sikh Gurus theological reflection on the poetry of Bhagat Kabir, and Shaikh Farid. He effectively presented the theological dialogue which was going on in the very process of the putting together of the Sikh scripture. According to him, the Gurus commented upon the theological differences were ever they saw it needed, and the idea that only those passages were selected for the Adi Granth which entirely fitted in the Sikh theological framework is not entirely correct. Dr. Narpinder Singh, who holds a Ph.D in Comparative Religion from Harvard University, made an impressive presentation on Bhai Gurdas and his contribution to the definition of Sikh value system. He effectively caught what he called, “a glimpse of the archetypal idea of the moral life conceived and articulated by Bhai Gurdas.”

The afternoon session which was chaired by Professor Hawley, began with Gurinder Singh Mann’s presentation on the concept of the Khalsa. He attempted to reconstruct the events of the Vaisakhi of Khande ki pehul, and then went on to discuss its theological implications. Professor Juergensmeyer, spoke on the Self-understanding in the Theology of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He offered a very insightful analysis using the speeches of the Sant Bhindranwale as his primarily material. Professor Nikki Gurinder Kaur Singh of Colby College wrapped up the day with a close analysis of Guru Granth Sahib as a source of Theology. In a very impressive speech, she referred to many layers of feminine symbolism in the poetry of Guru Granth Sahib.

Mr. Jagjit Singh Mangat praised the Southern Asian Institute for their cooperation and speaking on behalf of the Sikh community he expressed the hope that this is just a beginning and more significant results will emerge in due course.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 6, 1990