A striking aspect of Sikhism is its commitment to equality, notably between women and men.
Sikhism is fundamentally about self-improvement. The Sikh Gurus believed in the inclusivity of diverse paths leading to God, as long as they were guided by love and acceptance. They recognized a universal God, common to all religions, which eliminates the need for religious conflicts. Unlike many religions with regular church attendance, Sikhs emphasize loving devotion as the sole path to please God. Gurdwaras serve as places of worship, but prayer is a personal practice free from rituals or superstitions. Sikhs believe in a deeply personal connection with God, without any hierarchy based on devotion.
A striking aspect of Sikhism is its commitment to equality, notably between women and men. From its inception nearly 600 years ago, Sikh Gurus upheld the equal status of women, opposing practices like Sati, Pardah, and the dowry system that degrade women. Women were considered equal companions in all aspects of life, even participating alongside men in battles. This progressive stance on gender equality predates modern movements for women's rights by centuries.
Another distinctive feature of Sikhism is its approach to personal accountability. There's no concept of repentance to an external deity; guilt arises from personal recognition of one's actions. Sikhs are encouraged to confront and resolve their own challenges, focusing on improving personal qualities like ego, fears, and prejudices. This religion promotes self-betterment through individual effort and practical wisdom, fostering a mindset of becoming a compassionate human being through active self-reflection and growth.
The best part about this faith is that it revolves around three main principles that are easy to understand and follow. These principles don't demand anything extreme from you; they're more like the kind of advice your mom would give.
Kirat Karna
Kirat Karna means earning an honest living. You should always work with the intention of benefiting others. The Guru teaches that if you don't contribute to society, you shouldn't expect to benefit from it. It's about being fair and doing your part for the community.
Naam Japna
Naam Japna means remembering God. This can be as simple as keeping God in mind during your daily activities or singing hymns from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a collection of prayers and hymns spoken by the Sikh Gurus, considered the last and eternal living Guru. These prayers are written as poetry meant to be sung, and their beauty can be appreciated by anyone, regardless of their religion.
Wandh Chakna
Wandh Chakna means sharing your honest earnings with those in need. It's about never being selfish or thinking you're better than anyone else. You should share generously without any prejudice or discrimination, ensuring that everyone benefits from what you have.
The best part about this faith is that it is built on just three main principles, which are easy to understand and follow. These principles don't demand anything extreme or unreasonable. In fact, they are similar to the kind of advice your mom might give you. In Sikhism, these three pillars are the only guidelines you need to follow. They aren't overly challenging, and it's clear that these values are beneficial for everyone, regardless of their religion. The requirements are simple: be a good person with an open heart.
Sikhism focuses on love, acceptance, and helping others whenever you can. If you see someone struggling, you should help them simply out of kindness. It's mostly about common sense and striving to become a better person with God's support. These ideals are especially important in today's world, where discrimination and prejudice are so severe that people are judged, treated unfairly, and even killed because of it.
Sikhism might seem like just another religion at first glance, but its vision and principles are universal. Everyone can learn something from it, and we really need these values now more than ever.
*Based on an article by Prianca G, published on theodysseyonline.com on 1st July 2016