Author Topic: Sikhism and Castism (Read 2229 times)

ਦ੍ ਮਾਸ੍ਕ੍ · « **on:** July 17, 2010, 07:08:29 AM »

Definition of Casteism: Process of dividing society based on social status or position conferred by a system based on class.

The process of dividing different sects on the basis of hereditary was highly prevalent in Hinduism. Sikhism came into being around late fourteenth century by the first founder, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Guru Nanak’s thinking was very rational and highly insightful. He stood firm against the superstitions and odd practices, which reaped benefits only to rich and, on the other hand, poor in a state of neglect.
He and, later on, nine other successors dedicated their whole life for the welfare of common man and brought common man on an equal level.
Sikhism prospered significantly because of strong and fundamental principles. One of them was to eradicate casteism in its entirety, which is still practiced now.

During the occasion of Vaisakhi in 1699, the tenth guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh baptized Panj Pyaras and established the name Singh at the end of His name and dropped Rai.
He ordered every Sikh to put Singh at the end of male’s name and Kaur for female’s name. One of the purposes of doing that was to eliminate the differences among people based on their names.

All the gurus believed that a True Sikh’s way of life is about considering all humans equal, regardless of their race, color, class, gender or religion. They have been strong supporter of equality and all of them rejected the separation among mankind. Teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib say that God’s light (soul) is within all and there is no difference between the souls of the humans from different races or class. Bhai Gurdas Ji writes “The special feature of the Sikh of the Guru is that he goes beyond the framework of caste classification and moves in humility. Then his labor becomes acceptable at the door of God”. The Gurus made every attempt possible to eliminate the caste system. Langar was established, where all people gather to eat food sitting together.

The present scenario reveals something different and only a true Gursikh is exception. A true Gursikh is defined as a person who has savored the Amrit (“nectar ceremony”), and is free from anti-social elements such as egotism, corruption, sexual desires etc and remembers only one God and does righteous acts. At present, the people following the Amrit are many but only handful of people are without these antisocial elements. Casteism is finding its strong roots in Sikhism nowadays. Within the Sikhs there are so many sects such as Jats, Khatris, Chamar, Sainis, Ramgharias, Labanas etc. It is hard to find the reason for the absorption of such system into Sikhism. Now people have developed a system of rules to differentiate themselves from other different sects within Sikhs by using their surnames e.g. Mandeep Kaur Randhawa* or Mandeep Singh Randhawa*. Another trend is little bit more fashionable of not putting Singh or Kaur in names such as Mandeep Randhawa*. People boast of their surnames and are adherent to the belief that they are far superior in comparison to others within the same religion. A member of a particular sect would prefer to marry their offspring within the same sects. There have been several cases when bloodshed occurred as a consequence of inter-caste marriage.

People have created differences among themselves which is strictly opposite to what Guru Gobind Singh established. These differences are growing on a larger scale with the upcoming generations. Instead of uniting and describing the unique identity of Sikhs, we are moving apart. As a result of this, so many incidents have happened related to identity crisis of Sikhs in foreign lands such as USA, Australia and other countries of Europe.

Have you ever wonder what causes this?

I feel that it is our ego. We want to say we are better than others. We are more intelligent, smarter, more handsome and more powerful.

WE SHOULD KILL OUR EGO (HAUME) AND STAND UNITED.

“Do not be proud of your social class and status.
So much sin and corruption comes from this pride.
The Potter has shaped it into all sorts of vessels.
The five elements join together, to make up the form of the human body.
Who can say which is less (inferior or bad), and which is more? (Superior or good)
Says Nanak, this soul is bound by its actions.
Without meeting the True Guru, it is not liberated.” – SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB

All comments are welcome but please be sure to not to put abusive words because ladies would be reading it. Thanks

*The name is randomly chosen and the person with the same name should not feel humiliated.

Author Topic: Sikhism and Castism (Read 2229 times)

ਦ੍ ਮਾਸ੍ਕ੍

Sikhism and Castism

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