A Perspective on Sikhi

Whenever we attempt to study or understand a subject, it's crucial to always start with the basics. So when I started looking into Sikhi, I took the same approach; looking at the questions of what Sikhi is, what the fundamental principles of it are and what it actually means to be a 'Sikh'.

I graduated from university a few months ago, but whilst there I was President of the Sikh Society and as a result came across a variety of people, experiences and issues. One of the most common issues that occurred was the reaction people had as soon as they heard that something being said to them or shown to them was in some way attached to organised religion. Although I came across this initially at University, having graduated I can see it also exists in wider society.

Sikhi_Khandeo_Tikhi (147K)

More often than not the response is to dismiss the information being given for any number of reasons, whether it's because you're an atheist and believing a small aspect of a religion means you would have to believe in a God of some sort, or you're a theist but because you don't agree with one aspect of a religion you then can't agree with any aspects of it. This distancing from religion has been highlighted in studies, and is something I and the other members of Sikh society committee had to overcome in order to get people involved with our events. We did it by attempting to change people's perception of spiritual thinking: as a Sikh I choose to view Sikhi as a way of life to be lived and practised; which itself involves things that most people do every day without conscious thought.

I recently read a book by Dan Brown and in this book the main character discusses the prerequisites for something to be called a religion, he calls it the 'ABC Principle', Assure, Believe and Convert. The character goes on to expand saying, "Religions assure salvation; religions believe in a precise theology; and religions convert non-believers." By my understanding, Sikhi falls short on all accounts. The Western notion of salvation describes there being a saviour who will rescue the followers. The Gurus taught that in this life, although Waheguru is ever present ("Sada ang sangeh"; Jaap Sahib), ultimately it is the individual who bears responsibility for the deeds that can save them. The idea of karma in Sikhi outlines this, the notion that your actions, both good and bad, and their consequences are for you to bear "Aape beej aape he khaoo" (Japji Sahib).

A precise theology involves a precise definition of what God is and what God does. The Gurus also did not provide us with this, there is no exact definition of God, in fact the concept of Waheguru goes far beyond more Western concepts of God. Waheguru has no figure, no place in space or time but can be seen more as a form of energy that flows through the Universe. The evidence of not being able to define Waheguru is in the word itself, "Wahe-Guru", the Guru is Wah, indescribable.

Finally, Sikhi does not have non-believers and so, there is no one to convert. The principles laid down by Guru Nanak of Naam Japna, Wand Shakna, Kirat Karni and Seva were not principles on how to be a good Sikh, but how to be a good person, which anyone can be without having to believe in the other aspects of Sikhi. Principles (14K)The Gurus never attempted to convert anyone or make them follow their way of thinking, but would challenge accepted practices of the time in an attempt to get people to think and understand the deeper meaning behind what they were doing. They were teachers, not just to people who called themselves Sikhs, but to anyone who was willing and looking to gain more knowledge and understanding.

Sikhi is more than what is normally associated with the term religion; it is a way of life that offers personal, societal and ethical guidance. This is what is at it's very core, to ensure that all aspects of our lives and actions chime with the teachings of the Gurus. We see Waheguru in all of our interactions with people, we understand and must take into account how our actions and their consequences affect the lives of others, and ensure that we do not intentionally bring harm to them. The Gurus gave us a set of principles for us to internalise, understand and apply to our lives. In the words of Guru Nanak, "Mun jeeteh jagjeet", victory lies in first conquering our minds.


Amarbeer Singh Gill

 

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