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Tercentennial Khalsa Celebrations
Information Worldsite |
 In 1999,
the Sikh community all over the world will join together to celebrate the 300th
anniversary of the Khalsa. The year 1999 has a special significance in the history of the
Sikhs. It is a celebration of the birth of Khalsa, which is a culmination of the process
started by Guru Nanak in the fifteenth century.
 On the other hand the survival of the
religion is firmly rooted in tradition and sacrifices after having gone through different
turmoil and tribulations in its history. It changed the course of history and brought new
awakening in values, which provided equality, liberty, self-respect and self-assertion.
 Sikhism is the youngest and most dynamic of the
world Religions. Barely 500 Years old, it was founded in India by Guru Nanak as a means to
cope with the misery of the oppression by the Mughal Rulers. Later the teachings of Guru
Nanak were re-enforced by the following Sikh Gurus and especially by the last, Guru Gobind
Singh. The Passing away of the Tenth Guru in 1708 made the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy
book of the Sikhs, as the only Guru. Guru Granth Sahib is the word of God and embodies the
philosophy and fundamentals of Sikhism. It is the only holy book of a major religion,
which was written and authenticated by its founders.
Sikhism is a distinctively separate religion, which believes in the
absolute oneness of God or Truth. All the fundamentals of Sikhism emanate from the concept
of love for God and the belief that God is not only the creator and controller of the
universe, but God pervades in and loves every atom of his creation. This monotheistic
religion rejects "escape from society" or to live as a hermit. One had to earn
their livelihood by righteous means and share his belongings with others.
Sikhs are ordained to worship only one God and are strictly forbidden
to recognize or worship gods, goddesses, idols, rivers, mountains or tombs. God is to be
worshipped with complete and genuine devotion and love. There is no place of meaningless
and expensive rituals in Sikhism.
A Sikh is humble and does not consider his community to be superior to
other religious communities. Sikhs do not encourage or discourage conversion to their
faith, rather they respect people of other religions. For a Sikh all human beings are
equal since all are the children of God.
Also it gives women an equal status to men. There is no higher or lower
caste. Due to this equality principal, there is no clergy in Sikhism. Any Sikh capable of
performing a religious function has the right to do so. This principle of equality is
practiced collectively in the institution of "Sangat" and "Pangat".
All Sikhs irrespective of their social status or sex sitting in the Gurdwara (Sikh place
of worship) for their prayers is a "Sangat". After the prayers, collectively
participating in the community kitchen (Langar) is a Pangat. The participation in Sangat
and Pangat is open to all, even the non - sikhs.
Basic teachings
The Sikh teachings guide a human being in both worldly and spiritual
fields. In essence, the teachings consist of Naam Japna - that
is to meditate on the holy name or word of God, Kirat Karna - to earn
livelihood by honest means and hard work, Wand Chhakna - sharing the fruits
of one's labor with others, especially the less fortunate, and finally, Seva -
which was selfless deeds of service to other fellow beings without seeking a reward. In
pursuing a path of spiritual advancement, a sikh is to avoid the five primary sins of
lust, pride, anger, greed, and undue worldly attachment.
Sikh Symbols
The Khalsa was created by Guru Gobind Singh by the
baptism of five beloved or Panj Pyaras as a means of representing his
physical form and the embodiment of all that is the best in the Sikh religion. He gave
them the uniform of the five symbols and the five banis and these beloveds were to become
saint- soldiers devoted to the service of mankind. The Sikh symbols were also meant to
serve as aids to the corporate life of the community. They are kept to preserve corporate
unity and foster the sentiment of brotherhood. This brotherhood he called the "Khalsa
Panth".
When Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa Panth in 1699 on the day of Vaisakhi, he ordered them to maintain the Five symbols- "Panj
Kakar". These symbols were not only necessary for the strength and uniformity
of the organization, but also for the value they each had in their own right.
Kesh or unshorn hair was regarded as an indication of
living in harmony with the will of God. The Kanga or the comb is necessary for
keeping the hair clean and tidy. Kaccha or the underwear is regarded as a symbol of
chastity also it allowed unembarrassed movement in times of action as it was also easy and
comfortable for wearing when at rest. It serves as a mark of readiness and agility. Kirpan
or the sword is an emblem of courage and adventure and is to be used for the
defense of others and not for offense. Finally, Kara or the steel bracelet
is a symbol of restraint and gentility for it reminds a Sikh that he is bonded to the
Guru.
A Sikh is easily recognized by his beard (uncut and
untrimmed), unshorn hair that he protects with a turban on his head. Members of the Khalsa
Panth are forbidden from committing adultery. All women (other than wife) regardless of
their faith are to be considered a mother, a sister, or a daughter and be protected as
such. Also Sikhs are forbidden from using intoxicants, including tobacco and alcohol. All
Sikhs should daily recite the 5 Banis (prayers) namely, Japji, Jaap,
Swayyas, Rehras - Chaupai and Kirtan - Sohila.
Guru Gobind Singh militarized the Sikhs as to the demands of the time
to stand up against the injustice and tyranny by the Mughal rulers. A Sikh has to thus
stand against the injustice and violations of human rights. Sikhs were given a military
training. All men were to use the last name Singh (LION) and all Sikh women were given the
last name Kaur (Princess). Sikhs were thus transformed into the Khalsa or the Pure and
were to be Saint -Soldiers. In Fact a Sikh has his feet firmly planted on the earth, but
his head is always towards God or WAHEGURU or wondrous creator.
In 1999, the Sikh community all over
the world will join together to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the
Khalsa. The year 1999 has a special significance in the history of the
Sikhs. It is a celebration of the birth of Khalsa, which is a
culmination of the process started by Guru Nanak in the fifteenth
century. On the other hand the survival of the religion is firmly
rooted in tradition and sacrifices after having gone through different
turmoil and tribulations in its history. It changed the course of
history and brought new awakening in values, which provided equality,
liberty, self-respect and self-assertion.
Sikhism is the youngest and most dynamic of the world
Religions. Barely 500 Years old, it was founded in India by Guru Nanak
as a means to cope with the misery of the oppression by the Mughal
Rulers. Later the teachings of Guru Nanak were re-enforced by the
following Sikh Gurus and especially by the last, Guru Gobind Singh.
The Passing away of the Tenth Guru in 1708 made the Guru Granth Sahib,
the holy book of the Sikhs, as the only Guru. Guru Granth Sahib is the
word of God and embodies the philosophy and fundamentals of Sikhism.
It is the only holy book of a major religion, which was written and
authenticated by its founders.
Sikhism is a distinctively separate religion, which believes in the
absolute oneness of God or Truth. All the fundamentals of Sikhism
emanate from the concept of love for God and the belief that God is
not only the creator and controller of the universe, but God pervades
in and loves every atom of his creation. This monotheistic religion
rejects "escape from society" or to live as a hermit. One had to earn
their livelihood by righteous means and share his belongings with
others. Sikhs are ordained to
worship only one God and are strictly forbidden to recognize or
worship gods, goddesses, idols, rivers, mountains or tombs. God is to
be worshipped with complete and genuine devotion and love. There is no
place of meaningless and expensive rituals in Sikhism.
A Sikh is humble and does not consider his community to
be superior to other religious communities. Sikhs do not encourage or
discourage conversion to their faith, rather they respect people of
other religions. For a Sikh all human beings are equal since all are
the children of God. Also it
gives women an equal status to men. There is no higher or lower caste.
Due to this equality principal, there is no clergy in Sikhism. Any
Sikh capable of performing a religious function has the right to do
so. This principle of equality is practiced collectively in the
institution of "Sangat" and "Pangat". All Sikhs irrespective of their
social status or sex sitting in the Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship)
for their prayers is a "Sangat". After the prayers, collectively
participating in the community kitchen (Langar) is a Pangat. The
participation in Sangat and Pangat is open to all, even the non -
sikhs. Basic teachings
The Sikh teachings guide a human being in both worldly
and spiritual fields. In essence, the teachings consist of Naam Japna
- that is to meditate on the holy name or word of God, Kirat Karna -
to earn livelihood by honest means and hard work, Wand Chhakna -
sharing the fruits of one's labor with others, especially the less
fortunate, and finally, Seva - which was selfless deeds of service to
other fellow beings without seeking a reward. In pursuing a path of
spiritual advancement, a sikh is to avoid the five primary sins of
lust, pride, anger, greed, and undue worldly attachment.
Sikh Symbols
The Khalsa was created by Guru Gobind Singh by the
baptism of five beloved or Panj Pyaras as a means of representing his
physical form and the embodiment of all that is the best in the Sikh
religion. He gave them the uniform of the five symbols and the five
banis and these beloveds were to become saint- soldiers devoted to the
service of mankind. The Sikh symbols were also meant to serve as aids
to the corporate life of the community. They are kept to preserve
corporate unity and foster the sentiment of brotherhood. This
brotherhood he called the "Khalsa Panth".
When Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa Panth in 1699
on the day of Vaisakhi, he ordered them to maintain the Five symbols-
"Panj Kakar". These symbols were not only necessary for the strength
and uniformity of the organization, but also for the value they each
had in their own right.
Kesh or unshorn hair was regarded as an indication of living in
harmony with the will of God. The Kanga or the comb is necessary for
keeping the hair clean and tidy. Kaccha or the underwear is regarded
as a symbol of chastity also it allowed unembarrassed movement in
times of action as it was also easy and comfortable for wearing when
at rest. It serves as a mark of readiness and agility. Kirpan or the
sword is an emblem of courage and adventure and is to be used for the
defense of others and not for offense. Finally, Kara or the steel
bracelet is a symbol of restraint and gentility for it reminds a Sikh
that he is bonded to the Guru. A
Sikh is easily recognized by his beard (uncut and untrimmed), unshorn
hair that he protects with a turban on his head. Members of the Khalsa
Panth are forbidden from committing adultery. All women (other than
wife) regardless of their faith are to be considered a mother, a
sister, or a daughter and be protected as such. Also Sikhs are
forbidden from using intoxicants, including tobacco and alcohol. All
Sikhs should daily recite the 5 Banis (prayers) namely, Japji, Jaap,
Swayyas, Rehras - Chaupai and Kirtan - Sohila.
Guru Gobind Singh militarized the Sikhs as to the demands of the time
to stand up against the injustice and tyranny by the Mughal rulers. A
Sikh has to thus stand against the injustice and violations of human
rights. Sikhs were given a military training. All men were to use the
last name Singh (LION) and all Sikh women were given the last name
Kaur (Princess). Sikhs were thus transformed into the Khalsa or the
Pure and were to be Saint -Soldiers. In Fact a Sikh has his feet
firmly planted on the earth, but his head is always towards God or
WAHEGURU or wondrous creator.
Vaisakhi Vaisakhi is a
traditional seasonal festival of North India, where, it is treated as
a New Year’s Day by the farmers and others. Falling as it does on 14th
April (first day of the month of Vaisakh) every year, it coincides
with the harvesting of wheat and is thus a harbinger of wealth and
prosperity.
Vaisakhi, is celebrated by all communities, but, it has come to
acquire a special significance for Punjabis in general and Sikhs in
Particular. It was on the Vaisakhi day of 1699 that Guru Gobind Singh
created the order of the Khalsa. So Vaisakhi stands for the birth
anniversary of the Khalsa. It is customary for Sikhs to Assemble and
to offer prayers at the Gurdwaras on the Vaisakhi day. On the Vaisakhi
day 1801, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was coronated. Also in 1919 On
Vaisakhi day saw the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar where
hundreds of people laid down their lives to pave the way for India’s
freedom. A Gurdwara is like a
church, a place of worship in Sikhism. It is the focal point of Sikh
congregation or the Sangat. A Sikh temple is not only a place of
worship, but is also a community center. A free kitchen (Langar) is
always a part of a temple. The Gurdwara is also used for performing
the birth, marriage and death ceremonies of the Sikhs. The most
important Sikh temples are the Akal Takhat at Amritsar, Keshgar Sahib
at Anandpur, Patna Sahib, Hazur Sahib, at Nander and Damdama Sahib.
Sikh festivals like Vaisakhi, Gurpurabs are all celebrated in all the
Gurdwaras. Some Sikh temples have a library and reading room, a Sikh
Museum and School. Welfare projects like orphanages, dispensaries or
free clinics etc. are run by many historical Gurdwaras in India. A
Gurdwara is always open to everyone, whichever religion or cast they
may be. Today we witness a
revival of Sikhism all over the world. The growth of Sikhism in the
United States of America is a testimony to the vitality of the Gurus’
teachings in this day and age when the world is today being torn by
strife and suffering. Sikhism is now a World Religion. The Sikh
heritage of truth, justice, freedom and respect for other faiths is
consistent with the American traditions articulated so well by
Franklin D. Roosevelt as: Freedom of expression, freedom of religion,
freedom from want, and freedom from fear. In fact a Sikh has his feet
firmly planted on the earth, but his head is always high-towards God
or Waheguru. -Jasmeet Kaur
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