There are two major mi: understandings about Sikh religion. The first that is a combination of good points taken from Hinduism and Islam. The second that it is one more religion added to the already existing religion.
In the previous issue, it was explained that Sikh concepts about God, reincarnation, Karma theory etc. are new and were not taken from Islam or Hinduism. This mis-understanding arose because both Muslims and Hindus adopted the new Sikh faith. Further even when remaining a Hindu or a Muslim, one has all the privileges for going to a gurdwara, participate in Sangat (congregation), Pangat (free community meals), or bathing in the sacred tank. Gurus were born in the Hindu families, but the honor of laying the foundation stone of the Hari Mandir (Golden Temple) Sahib Amritsar was given to a Muslim fakir, Mian Mir. In a previous article (Guru Nanak Dev A Hindu or a Muslim, World Sikh News November 15 & 22, 1985) opinions of important writers and religious leaders were mentioned to bring out the fact that Sikhism is not one more faith but the faith which today can be adopted by the whole community.
The Holy Book of Sikhs, Sri Guru Granth Sahib speaks of one God, Who is the Father for all the people not just of one faith, or one community. It talks focus as human beings, not as Hindus, Muslims Sikhs, or any sect or caste. Archer concluded that, “The religion of the Adi Granth is a Universal and practical religion ….. The world today needs its message of peace and love.”
Miss Pearl S. Buck wrote that she did not find elsewhere, the same power of appeal to the heart and mind as she found in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, She observed, “There is something strangely modern about the scriptures and this puzzled me until learned that they are comparatively modern,….. They (volumes of the Granth Sahib) speak to persons of any religion or of none. They speak for the human heart and the searching mind.”
The modern society believes in equal social and political rights and religious freedom. It does not want any discrimination against a person because of sex, color, or caste etc. Gurbani also pleads for human rights and ‘equality of persons.
Guru Nanak preached equal love not only for Hindus and Muslims, high caste and low caste, rich and poor but also equal status for men and women. He felt hurt very much when he observed that women were not treated as equals in social or religious functions.
Women were considered “impious” in Hinduism and were equated with low caste people. They cannot wear the sacred thread as do the Hindu males. Remarriage was prohibited for a widow. She was supposed to even burn alive on the pyre of her husband. No male was required to do that for his wife.
A woman does not have the same freedom to participate in Prayers in a mosque as do the males; It needs two women witness, to equate with one male according to Islam. In the west, it is believed that Adam was created as a complete person. Eve was created from the rib of Adam, i.e, she was not given an independent and equal status a Adam.
Nanak told that God created both man and woman as equal: but complimentary to each out to remove the wrong fess of inferiority attached to 2 women he pointed her role as s mother. He questioned how 3 women can be rated inferior when we know she gives birth to Kings who rule the people. She cannot be considered inferior any way to the persons born her. To remove the stigma of low caste, tagged to some people the Indian society, Nanak declared the caste of a person depends upon his deeds and not on his birth, A person should be considered of real high caste if he nurses a fellow feeling for all human beings including the poor and the so called low caste people, A person is a real Brahmin if he loves God and realizes his presence in every human being. ‘A person who ignores God and does not love him belongs to a low lagan demanded that must protect the human rights of every person. A king has no right to rule if he fails to protect these rights. He is a butcher if he or is officials suck the blood of the poor, downtrodden persons.
Nanak was a social and religious revolutionary who preached equality of human beings, irrespective of their not only caste, color or sex birth but also faith. Greatest sin is to resurp the rights of others because of political, social, economic or religious power. One must be a human being before he can become a religious person. Need of the hour is properly understand him and take advantage of guidance for genuine peace for everybody to live in.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 31, 1986
