In 1973.4 prominent bibliophiles Claimed that there were perhaps no More than 300 books on Sikhs: and Sikhism in English. Un doubtedly he was considerably short in his estimates but the interesting statistic is that in the intervening 20 years over 300 have probably been Written This exponential increase ‘Of interest in Sikhs and Sikhism has several reasons some good and some not so good.
The desirable reason is that the Sikhs have migrated all over the World and despite their small number remain highly visible On the other hand because of political problems in India in the last decade the Sikhs have attracted more than their fair share of unfavorable publicity Nevertheless the interest in their religion is welcome for the world thus learns of 3 Very attractive and young system and way of life.
This book is one in a series on ‘world religions by the publishers. Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Colby College in Maine. The writing however is not at all pedantic. Ina brief book written in a very readable style he attempts to introduce Sikhism including its history philosophy and practices while placing this young religion squarely amongst the great religions of the world.
Ina conspicuous departure from most books on Eastern religions it has a chapter entitled Women and Sikhism. This clear emphasis is appreciated particularly because Sikhism is unusual and forthright in this matter Its theology and teaching promise women an equal place even though the practice often leaves a lot to be desired ‘This chapter is brief and simple and to a Sikh hardly novel Bruit is a sufficient introduction to an important subject of universal concern.
The chapter on Sikh tradition and modem culture is disappointing. It is heavy on the life and times of Ranjit Singh and on the present conflict of the Sikhs with the Indian government that led to an armed insurrection in the past decade We expected a discussion of how Sikhs have dealt with the perceived conflict between ‘modem society and the notions of their traditions as we stand at the threshold of the twenty-first century A discussion of how Sikhs ‘view their religious practices including their symbols in the technologically complex and sometimes hostile society the global ‘village would have been fruitful. However the generally positive forward looking outer directed attitude of the Punjabis and particularly the Sikhs in dealing with the vicissitudes of life is well presented.
There are some careless mistakes which detract from the appeal of this otherwise attractive book. Vasco de Gama did not land on the Adriatic sea as alleged (page 12) But in this chapter the author rightly points out the ferment in human societies that was occurring all Over Europe and India around the advent of Guru Nanak. Without a doubt it was a critically important period in the history mankind and in this chapter Nanak’s teachings are placed in the context of his times
The population of the Sikhs is alleged to be 12 million or 17 million-on the same page 6. From the list of contributors to the Guru Granth (page 33) the name of Guru Ram Dasis omitted in error he contributed 679 hymns the author claims (page 33) that the Guru Granth contains poems and songs of the ten guns is. It contains the writings of six and perhaps seven If you
credit Guru Gobind Singh with one verse. Certainly hymns might describe their contributions better than poems and songs.
History tells us that when Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa in 1699 and gave the Sikhs their present form five Sikhs responded to his call. The author mistakenly terms them Hindus. Clearly they were already Sikhs of the Guru although there was no Khalsa until they responded .
Her interpretations of the word Bhog as analogous to the Greek word Eucharist and the Christian concept of Holy Communion (pages 72-73) are clearly both inaccurate and narrow Yes bhog can mean to partake or enjoy but it does not mean pleasure as she says. She forgets that another meaning is to complete and it is in that context that the word is most widely used when an entire cover to cover reading of the Guru Grant his completed. Bhog is never comparable to the Christian communion for there is nothing like the doctrine of transubstantiation attached to it in Sikh theology. The relationship between the British and the Sikhs remained a stormy and much more complex throughout the hundred years of British presence in the Punjab than its indicated by the author. The present struggle of the Sikhs and their differences with the Indian Government have been reduced to their simplistic minimum leading to a presentation that its neither just nor accurate of either the Indian Constitution or the Sikhs including the now defunct Rajiv Longowal Accord. Notwithstanding what we 72¥° said here we recognize want this small book is meant to be an introduction to the rich tradition of Sikhism and not an exhaustive treatise on the practices and politics of the Sikhs. The many black and white pictures give an excellent view of the many facets of Sikh life in India and abroad. With the caveats noted earlier the chapters on Sikh thought Sikh ethics and the rites of passage in Sikhism are clear lucid and brief expositions of Sikh philosophy and the Sikh way of life. In Sikhism the granthi does not enjoy the special prerogatives of the priest in most other religions and all functions in a religious service can be performed by any lay person without considerations of sex race or social status This progressive feature of Sikhism emerges clearly from the book
The book could have benefited from the attentions of an eagle eye editor 40 (There are also many typo glitches.) There is a use Full glossary of Punjabi terms except that Guru Granth is also defined as the Adi Granth. The Adi Granth was the book compiled by Guru Anjan. With the writings of Guru Tegh Bahadur added it became Guru Granth and was installed as the Guru.
Despite its errors of omission and commission I have only pointed out a few selected examples here to the uninitiated this compact volume is an interesting and useful introduction to the complex and practical Sikh tradition of which not many non-Sikhs are aware. I hope there will be a revised second edition which will address the issues raised here.
Reviewed by: L J. Singh & Neena I. Singh
Article extracted from this publication >> February 4, 1994
