Equality in Sikhism

Hey everyone.

I am so sorry I haven't been able to post in such a long time.  There was a bit of an emergency I had to deal with so I've been preoccupied with that but I'm hoping to start posting more regularly again.  This is a paper I wrote for a religion class -- I do not practice Sikhism myself, but it is a religion which intrigues me.  Eventually this paper will turn into a for-against paper for a final project and will ultimately be ten pages or so, but this is part one.  I hope you learn a little bit about Sikhism and if you already know about Sikhism, I'd love to talk to you!

            As the fifth most popular religion in the world, Sikhism serves the spiritual needs of many individuals.  Because the followers of the tradition represent such a large population of the world, that others have some understanding of this largely misunderstood religion is vital.  Despite the many misapprehensions associated with Sikhism, the Sikh tradition indoctrinates equality and tolerance in its followers.

            Of approximately seven billion people populating the world, .36% practice Sikhism.  “There are 25 million Sikhs around the world, Singh says, about 700,000 which live in the United States.  Most Sikhs are in India” (Almasy).  Of 25 million Sikhs, about half must be women.  Therefore there are 12.5 million practicing female Sikhs.  Their prevalence in the Sikh culture is the same in any other culture, yet unlike other religions, theirs preaches for their equality. 

From the beginning of the tradition, Sikhism has striven to include women members in every way a Sikh man may participate.  Guru Nanak made it clear that women would be allowed the same admission to

A Sikh woman

Sikhism as men and should be denied no part of the religion, including the freedom to act as religious leaders and pray without the permission of a man (Kaur).  Because both men and women can lead religious ceremonies (Oxtoby and Segal 338), both men and women have an equal opportunity to impact the lives of their fellow Sikhs and serve their religion at the same level.  Neither sex is more important than the other.  This concept was not only progressive for its time, but is even progressive today.  The equality of women in Sikhism is likely the result of the tradition recognizing that women possess the “unique ability to give birth” and the value thereof (Oxtoby and Segal 345).  Sikhism, in theory, views women as men’s equals.

            In partnerships, women continue to function as an equal.  Like Guru Nanak, Guru Amar Das felt women held the same value as men.  Guru Amar Das criticized an accepted marriage practice which involved wives throwing themselves onto the funeral pyres of their dead husbands.  His disapproval of monogamy further suggested an equal give-and-take in marriage (Kaur).  The Sikh tradition has valued and continues to value Sikh women the same as it values Sikh men.  “From the beginning, Sikh women were seen as partners as Sikh men.  Married life, not celibacy, was seen as the ideal” (Oxtoby and Segal 345).  Though this is not to suggest that women hold a higher place than religion in the lives of men, it does suggest they and their relationships with men are important to the religion.  Women’s importance in Sikhism is equal to that of men’s.   

 Women are not only equals as partners, but as individuals as well.  “[Guru Amar Das] thought all women should be educated and have the same access to education as men” (Kaur).  Guru Amar Das believed in women could and should also make their own choices regarding wardrobe, like any man could.  In addition to making decisions for themselves, Sikh women are urged to protect the lives of themselves and others.  “Guru Gobind Singh encouraged women to be warrior-like and to fight against those who persecuted them because of their faith” (Kaur).  In a world where women are typically expected to leave fighting of any kind to their male counterparts, Sikhism takes a stand.  Sikhs believe in the ability of women to fight for themselves and their religion without the help of a man, once again emphasizing their equality with men.

In addition to their advocacy for women, Sikhs believe in equality for all humans who inhabit the earth, regardless of their religious affiliation.  Unlike other religions, Sikhs do not attempt to convert people who do not believe in Sikhism to Sikhism.  “…the emphasis in Sikhism has been less on converting others and more on allowing human beings freedom to find their own destiny and salvation in their own way” (Singh).  This suggests that Sikhs view all paths to salvation valid and equal.  The attitude toward other

Guru Nanak

religions which Sikhs hold has been prevalent since Guru Nanak, who “taught…that all religions were good” (Alamsy).  Though Sikhs may have personal preference for the Sikh way, they do not condemn others for practicing differently. 

Other religions may feel differently, and there have been cases in which the followers of one religion “punished” another for believing differently.  Despite this, Sikhs have never “desecrated a Hindu temple, the idols therein, or any mosque” (Singh).  The acceptance of other religions does not mean a lack of belief in Sikhism.  In fact, it may mean an increase in a Sikh’s beliefs as one of the prayers which Sikhs read every day “ends with the plea for betterment of all mankind, not that of Sikhs alone to the exclusion of everyone else.”  This includes agnostics and atheists in addition to other religions (Singh).  In accepting others and their religions, Sikhs clearly express a tolerance and belief in the equality of citizens of the world.

Sikhs not only practice equality of all religions on a large scale, but in individual instances as well.  There are various examples of this throughout Sikh history.  Guru Nanak accepted followers of other religions to follow his teachings.  One of his most devout followers began as a man who worshiped the Hindu god Durga.  Soon after he converted to Sikhism and continued to shadow Guru Nanak (“The First Master”).  “[Guru Nanak] travelled widely to both Hindu and Muslim places of pilgrimage and his two constant companions throughout were Mardana, a Muslim, and Bola, a Hidu” (Singh). While serving the injured warriors in battle, Bhai Kanhayya, a Sikh, did not differentiate between enemies and allies when dispensing care (Singh).  Perhaps even more dramatic is the story of Guru Tegh Bahadur who gave his life in martyrdom to save some Hindus from converting involuntarily (Singh).  By respecting so many other religions and even sacrificing themselves, Sikhs embody their feelings regarding equality which are so predominant in their beliefs.

The Sikhs not only exemplify their beliefs in equality in their life stories, but also in their spiritual texts.  The Guru Granth Sahib includes teachings from religions other than Sikhism.  Some of these texts are attributed to the Muslim with whom Guru Nanak travelled with, Mardana.  The holy book, at 1,400 pages, certainly has plenty of room for writers of all religions to contribute, in addition to the ten gurus (Almasy).  By valuing the input of people who practice other religions, the Sikhs actively show their dedication to equality.

Sikhs enthusiastically include people from all financial and social backgrounds as well.  In order to help to keep prejudices at bay, one clever guru offered a solution.  “…by knowing the last name one could distinguish which caste the person is from, [therefore] Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave all Sikh men the last name of ‘Singh’ and all Sikh women the last name of ‘Kaur’…” (“Sikhism”).  In addition to avoiding markers that might indicate social status, Sikhs strive to remember that “ ‘all human beings have equal status in the eyes of God’ ” (“Hindus”) by allowing all people in their places of worship, gurdwaras.  Sikhs respect all who enter gurdwaras and ask only that those who enter respect their practice of taking off their shoes and covering their heads (Singh).  The image of openness which they project to citizens of the world not only helps others to understand Sikhs, but works as another way to actively preserve their views on equality.  In addition to allowing people of other faiths or no faith in their places of worship, Sikhs “variously incorporate clinics, schools, guest quarters, and community centers” in their gurdwaras (Almasy).  These accompaniments function in emphasizing the Sikhs’ dedication to equality and equally serving all.

The langar, a meal shared after religious services and ceremonies, works specifically to underline this dedication to equality.  The concept of langar came to the surface with Guru Nanak, who “believed in a casteless society without any distinctions based on birthright, religion, or sex” (“The First Master”).  All are

Langar

equal as the langar progresses – regardless of any kind of social status, all eat together and no one person is higher than any other.  Because langar is free (“Sikhism”), any and all people can enjoy.  In this practice, Sikhs endeavor to truly make all involved equal.

The Sikhs not only believe in equality but practice it at every possible opportunity.  Whether they are working to include women or people who practice other traditions in their religion, inviting people of different faiths into their places of worship, or serving those who are less fortunate than themselves, the Sikhs actively promote equality in their daily lives.  Their strong belief translates into actions which not only contribute to the greater good of the world, but make them accepting people.

Works Cited

Almasy, Steve. “Explainer: Who Are Sikhs and What Do They Believe?” CNN Belief Blog. Cable News Network, 5 Aug. 2012. Web. 18 Mar 2013.

“The First Master Guru Nanak (1469 – 1539).” Sikhism Religion of the Sikh People. Sikhs.org. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.

“Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists Rebut Santorum: ‘Equality’ Is Their Concept, Too.” Christian Century 129.4 (2012): 17. Religion and Philosophy Collection. Web. 15 Mar. 2013.

“Historical Gurdwaras of Punjab.” Sikhism Religion of the Sikh People. Sikhs.org, 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2013.

Kaur, Shiha. “Sikhism – A Feminist Religion?” The F Word Blog. The F-Word, 13 Apr. 2010. Web. 18 Mar 2013.

Oxtoby, Willard Gurdon, and Alan F. Segal. A Concise Introduction to World Religions. Don Mills, Ont.: Oxford UP, 2007. Print.

“Sikhism: Beliefs and Principles of Sikhism – Sikh Religion.” Sikhism: Beliefs and Principles of Sikhism – Sikh Religion.RealSikhism.com, 2013. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.

Singh, I.J. “Tolerance in Religion: How Sikhism Views Other Religions.” Sikh Review (2003): n.pag. The Sikh Review. The Sikh Cultural Center, 27 Mar. 2010. Web. 18 Mar 2013.

Sikh Woman Image courtesy of Sikh Wiki.

Guru Nanak Image courtesy of My Guru.

Langar Image courtesy of Sikh Wiki.