The Logic of Cremation
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Reconstructing Gender Identities from Sikh Literature (1500-1920)
RECONSTRUCTING GENDER IDENTITIES FROM SIKH LITERATURE (1500-1920) A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES SUPERVISOR SUBMITTED BY : DR. SULAKHAN SINGH PARMAR NIRAPJIT Professor Research Scholar Department of History Department of History Guru Nanak Dev University Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar Amritsar DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY GURU NANAK DEV UNIVERSITY AMRITSAR 2010 CERTIFICATE It is certified that the thesis entitled Reconstructing Gender Identities from Sikh Literature (1500-1920) , being submitted by Parmar Nirapjit in fulfillment for the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, is a record of candidate’s own work carried out by her under my supervision and guidance. The matter embodied in the thesis has not been submitted earlier for the award of any other degree. Date : Dr. Sulakhan Singh Professor CERTIFICATE It is certified that the thesis entitled Reconstructing Gender Identities from Sikh Literature (1500-1920) , is entirely my own work and all the ideas and references have been duly acknowledged. Dr. Sulakhan Singh Parmar Nirapjit Professor Department of History Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar PREFACE Women’s issues have always created a deep urge in me to prod deeper into their problems and the manner in which these problems are faced by them. Women since ages are addressed as the weaker sex and it becomes ironical that apart from a section of the male population, majority of the women themselves support this view. In building gender attitudes of people religions play a major role. -
Contemporary Evidence on Sikh Rites and Rituals in the Eighteenth Century
179 Karamjit K. Malhotra: Sikh Rites and Rituals Contemporary Evidence on Sikh Rites and Rituals in the Eighteenth Century Karamjit K Malhotra Panjab University, Chandigarh ________________________________________________________________ This paper on Sikh rites and rituals analyses the whole range of contemporary evidence on the eighteenth century in three phases for observing continuity and change in the rites of initiation, birth, marriage and death. The Sikh sources are relevant for all the three phases, the Persian sources associated with the Mughal empire are relevant for the first, and the European accounts for the third. Two major findings emerge from this study: the continuity of normative statements on Sikh rites and rituals in which the Brahman priest and Brahmanical scriptures had no role, and there was a large degree of correspondence between the normative statements and empirical evidence on Sikh rites and rituals. _______________________________________________________________ Introduction No historian of the Sikhs has brought rites and rituals of the Sikhs during the eighteenth century directly into focus. Harjot Oberoi, for example, looks upon rituals as ‘a key element in the construction of religious identity’, and underlines the importance of the ‘rites of passage’ for Sikh identity. He maintains that prior to the Khalsa transformation, the Sikhs possessed only a fluid identity, and did not think of ‘a distinct set of life-cycle rituals’. The Khalsa introduced new rites related to birth, initiation and death which ‘endowed an individual with a new and bounded identity’ to demarcate the Khalsa from the rest of the ‘civil society’. Oberoi presents these rituals in a few paragraphs on the Chaupa Singh Rahitnama which he places between 1750 and 1765. -
A Complete Guide to Sikhism
A Complete Guide to Sikhism <siqgur pRswid A Complete Guide to Sikhism Dr JAGRAJ SINGH Copyright Dr. Jagraj Singh 1 A Complete Guide to Sikhism < siqgur pRswid[[ “There is only one God, He is infinite, his existence cannot be denied, He is enlightener and gracious” (GGS, p1). “eyk ipqw eyks ky hMm bwrk qUM myrw gurhweI”[[ “He is our common father, we are all His children and he takes care of us all.” --Ibid, p. 611, Guru Nanak Deh shiva bar mohay ihay O, Lord these boons of thee I ask, Shub karman tay kabhoon na taroon I should never shun a righteous task, Na daroon arson jab jae laroon I should be fearless when I go to battle, Nischay kar apni jeet karoon Grant me conviction that victory will be mine with dead certainty, Ar Sikh haun apnay he mann ko As a Sikh may my mind be enshrined with your teachings, Ih laalach haun gun tau uchroon And my highest ambition should be to sing your praises, Jab av kee audh nidhan banay When the hour of reckoning comes At he ran mah tab joojh maroon I should die fighting for a righteous cause in the thick of battlefield. --Chandi Charitar, Guru Gobind Singh Copyright Dr. Jagraj Singh 2 A Complete Guide to Sikhism < siqgur pRswid A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SIKHISM Dr. JAGRAJ SINGH UNISTAR Copyright Dr. Jagraj Singh 3 A Complete Guide to Sikhism A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SIKHISM By Dr. Jagraj Singh Jagraj [email protected] 2011 Published by Unistar Books Pvt. Ltd. S.C.O.26-27, Sector 34A, Chandigarh-160022, India. -
Sikh Women: Text, Sacred Stitches, Turban
Vol. 5, no. 1 (2015), 35-51 | DOI: 10.18352/rg.10085 Seeking the Image of ‘Unmarked’ Sikh Women: Text, Sacred Stitches, Turban DORIS R. JAKOBSH* Abstract With the inauguration of the Khalsa in 1699 by the tenth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, a new understanding of ‘being Sikh’ was put in place. In examining the earliest prescriptive texts of the Khalsa, manifestations of Sikh religio-cultural identity and visual distinctiveness were deeply connected to the male Sikh body. This study locates Sikh women within a number of these early ritual and textual ordinances while also exploring how Sikh female religio-cultural materiality is contradistinct to the normative Khalsa male body. The production of phulkaris, a form of embroidered head covering (but having other uses as well) was historically associated with Sikh women and are here examined as alternate forms of religious belonging, ritual production and devotion. This study concludes with an examination of how the turban, for a small number of diasporic Sikh women, can be understood both as a rejection of traditional Sikh female ideals, as well as a novel form of Sikh women’s identity construction that is closely aligned with Sikh masculine ideals. Keywords Sikhism/Sikhs and women; Sikhism/Sikhs and gender; religious identity construction; materiality; phulkaris; turbans. Author affiliation Doris R. Jakobsh is Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, University of Waterloo in Canada and Associate Chair, Graduate Studies for the department. She has degrees from the University of Waterloo, Harvard University and the University of British Columbia and is the author of Relocating Gender in Sikh History: Transformation, Meaning and Identity, OUP (2003, 2005), and Sikhism, University of Hawaii Press (2011). -
An Ethnographic Study of the Concept and Development of the Gurdwārā in the Uk
AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE CONCEPT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE GURDWĀRĀ IN THE UK By MANVIR SINGH DHESI A thesis submitted to The University of Birmingham For the degree of MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion The University of Birmingham September 2009 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. ABSTRACT Although Sikh gurdwārās have existed in the UK for the past one hundred years, there have been few studies focused on them by western academics. Gurharpal Singh and Darshan Singh Tatla state in their work, “Remarkably, the role of gurdwārās in community development has received little academic attention” (Singh and Tatla 2006: p. 5). This dissertation examines the ever-changing social, political, and religious role of the gurdwārās in the UK in the serving of the community in reflection of the traditional authority on gurdwārās, with particular focus on six gurdwārās; three in Bradford and three in Southall. Gurdwārās in the UK provide a religious, social and political role for the community. However, this does not mean that the social, political, and religious role of gurdwārās has remained static over the years. -
Sikhism GUIDES for the PERPLEXED
Sikhism GUIDES FOR THE PERPLEXED Guides for the Perplexed are clear, concise and accessible introduc- tions to thinkers, writers and subjects that students and readers can find especially challenging. Concentrating specifically on what it is that makes the subject difficult to grasp, these books explain and explore key themes and ideas, guiding the reader towards a thor- ough understanding of demanding material. The Bahá’í Faith: A Guide for the Perplexed, Robert H. Stockman Confucius: A Guide for the Perplexed, Yong Huang Kabbalah: A Guide for the Perplexed, Pinchas Giller Mysticism: A Guide for the Perplexed, Paul Oliver New Religious Movements: A Guide for the Perplexed, Paul Oliver Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed, Wouter J. Hanegraaff Zoroastrianism: A Guide for the Perplexed, Jenny Rose A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED Sikhism Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair LONDON • NEW DELHI • NEW YORK • SYDNEY Bloomsbury Academic An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 50 Bedford Square 175 Fifth Avenue London New York WC1B 3DP NY 10010 UK USA www.bloomsbury.com First published 2013 © Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair, 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this work. No responsibility for loss caused to any individual or organization acting on or refraining from action as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by Bloomsbury Academic or the author. -
“FIVE Ks” WITHIN SIKH TEXTS
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by University of Birmingham Research Archive, E-theses Repository Department of Theology and Religion The University of Birmingham January 2015 THE EVOLUTION OF THE “FIVE Ks” WITHIN SIKH TEXTS By Parminder Singh Kairo A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of Masters by Research 1 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. Contents Abstract......................................................................................................................4 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................5 Chapter 1: Introduction ...............................................................................................7 1.1: Historical background to the emergence of Sikhs within Punjab ........................ 10 1.2: The Creation of the Khālsā Panth within Sikh History. ...................................... -
Who Are Sikhs? >
Who are Sikhs? <siqgur pRswid[[ Who are Sikhs? > > dyg qyg Pqih dyg qyg Pqih Maharaja Ranjit Singh The founder of Sikh Empire and head of Sarkare Khalsa watching the Sikhs returning from hunting expedition Dr Jagraj Singh Sikh Awareness Society of USA SASO USA Tampa--Florida Copyright Dr. Jagraj Singh 1 Who are Sikhs? <siqgur pRswid Who are Sikhs? • In simple words the Sikhs may be described as the people of yesterday, today and tomorrow. • In the words of Gokal Chand Narang, “Hindus had a religion but no national feeling while Guru Gobind Singh made nationalism the religion of the Khalsa”. History of the Sikhs, Gokal chand Narang • Na kahoon ab keen a kahoon tab kee je na hundey Guru Gobind Singh Sunnat hudee sab kee Bullhe Shah Khalsa Akaal Purkh kee fauj, pargatio Khalsa Akaal Purkh kee mauj” meaning that Khalsa is the army of God and it has taken its birth at his pleasure” (Mukh waak Guru Gobind Singh). Maharaja Dalip Singh The last King of the sovereign Sikh Empire—‘Punjab’ Copyright Dr. Jagraj Singh 2 Who are Sikhs? < siqgur pRswid Contents Preface Acknowledgements Chapter 1 Sikh, Asikh, Shish, Singh & Kaur, Sardar &Sardarni, Khalsa, Panth, Signs of Sikh identity, Why identity is necessary? Being a Sikh, Sikh Religious code of Conduct, Inner values of Sikhism, Article of Sikh faith, Rationale behind the articles of Sikh faith, Chapter2 The Sikhs Sikh homeland Punjabi—National and religious language of the Sikhs and Sikh homeland Arts and crafts of the Sikhs and Sikh homeland Sikh civilization Sikh Culture Status of woman in Sikhism Music in Sikhism Dancing in Sikhism Arts and crafts of the Sikhs Sikh architecture Sikh jurisprudence Sikh politics Sikh Marriage Act Chapter 3 Symbols of Sikh Sovereignty: The Holy Sikh Scripture, Guru Granth Sahib Gurdawara Mandir Dera / Sant Dera / Sant Baba dera Copyright Dr. -
THE SIKHS and CASTE a Study of the Sikh Community In
THE SIKHS AND CASTE A Study of the Sikh Community in Leeds and Bradford. by Sewa Singh Kalsi "L- A thesis submitted, in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosopy, to the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Leeds January 1989 - 2 - ABSTRACT This thesis examines the persistence of caste among the Sikh community in Leeds and, to some extent, in the neighbouring city of Bradford. The notion that the Sikhs are a casteless brotherhood is challenged in the context of a brief discussion of the Indian caste system, the function of caste in Punjabi society, and a comprehensive review of the writings by Sikh and non-Sikh authors concerning caste practices among the Sikhs. The data for this study were collected by means of participant observation during the years 1980-1984. Their analysis demonstrates that caste continues to exist among Sikh migrants despite its rejection by the Sikh gurus. The Sikh community in Leeds and Bradford is found to be comprised of several caste groups such as Jats, Ramgarhias, Bhatras, Jhirs, Julahas and others. The significance of the arrival of Sikh families and children from India and East Africa is examined in order to understand the rapid development of caste-based gurdwaras and associations in Britain. A detailed study of two Sikh castes, i.e. the Ramgarhias and the Ravidasis, highlights that members of these caste groups take great pride in their caste identity manifested in the establishment of their own biradari institutions in Britain. The practice of caste endogamy and exogamy by the Sikhs is examined by analysing what role arranged marriage plays in perpetuating caste consciousness and caste solidarity. -
Who Is a Sikh?
Who is a Sikh? State of the Panth, Report 1 October 2017 State of the Panth The State of the Panth series is a report on Sikh matters presented by the Sikh Research Institute to the global Sikh community. The series reports on matters affecting either a large section of the Sikh Nation or a perspective on critical issues facing the human race at large. It surveys the self-identified Sikhs on their stances. It outlines a Sikh perspective based on Gurmat (the Guru’s Way) traditions of Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). It outlines recommendation for the individual Sikhs and Sikh institution in “best practices” approach to strengthen the bonds within the community. Report prepared by Harinder Singh, Senior Fellow, Research & Policy Parveen Kaur, Research Assistant Inni Kaur, Editor Acknowledgments Reviewers We are indebted to Sundeep Kaur, Gurmukh Singh and Gurdit Singh for their insights during the research phase of this report. Their comments on early versions of the manuscript were invaluable in shaping its final iteration. Any omissions or errors found in the report are a full responsibility of SikhRI. Skyrocket We thank Skyrocket team for sharing their design expertise and making the report as beautiful as it is. The strength of our brand is supported by their knowledge. V 1.0, confidential and not for circulation 3 Table of Content Summary 5 Bani Wisdom 7 Tavarikh History 11 Rahit Lifestyle 19 Survey 23 Recommendations 27 References 29 V 1.0, confidential and not for circulation 4 As the global Sikh population expands in size and complexion, Summary the definition of a Sikh becomes increasingly important to support and shape the community. -
Sikh Religion and Hair 55
1 Rough Draft Table of contents TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 HAIR AND TURBAN 5 INTRODUCTION 5 CHAPTER 1 7 NATURE’S GIFT 7 1.1 GROWTH OF HAIR 8 1.2 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF HAIR 9 1.3 FOOD OF THE HAIR:- 9 1.4 THE STRUCTURE OF HAIR 10 1.5 TYPES OF HAIR 10 1.6 FUNCTIONS OF HAIR 11 1.7 COMMERCIAL USES OF HAIR 13 1.8 SHAVING 14 CHAPTER 2 16 HAIR AND CULTURE 16 2.1. BALDNESS 18 2.2 BEARDS AND MOUSTACHES 19 2.3 BEARD AND MOUSTACHE FASHIONS 20 2 2.4 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS 20 (A)HAIR AND MALE CULTURE 20 (B)HAIR AND FEMALE CULTURE 22 (C)HAIR IN ARMY CULTURE 23 CHAPTER 3 26 HAIR AND RELIGION 26 3.1 HAIR IN HINDUISM 26 3.2 HAIR IN BUDDHISM AND JAINISM 29 3.3 HAIR IN CHRISTIANITY 30 3.4 HAIR IN JUDAISM 35 3.5 HAIR IN ISLAM 35 3.6 OTHER INSTANCES 37 CHAPTER 4 39 HEADGEARS 39 4.1 HEADGEARS IN THE WEST 41 4.2 HEADGEARS IN THE EAST 41 4.3 TURBAN IN CHRISTIANITY 42 4.4 TURBAN IN JUDAISM 42 4.5 TURBAN IN ISLAM 43 4.6 TURBAN IN HINDUISM 45 4.7 TURBAN IN WORLD CULTURE 46 CHAPTER 5 48 3 POLITICS OF HAIR AND TURBANS 48 CHAPTER 6 55 SIKH RELIGION AND HAIR 55 6.1 WILL OF GOD 55 6.2 KESHAS AND THE SIKH GURUS 57 6.3 BAISAKHI 59 6.4 SACRIFICES FOR THE HAIR 60 6.5 KESHAS AND SIKH WOMEN 67 6.6 SEJAH DHARI SIKHS 67 6.7 THE SIKH TURBANS 70 6.8 THE STYLES OF SIKH TURBANS 71 6.9 THE TURBAN AND THE SIKH GURUS 72 6.10 TURBANS IN BRITAIN 74 6.11 APOSTASY 74 CHAPTER 7 78 QUESTIONS 78 Q1. -
Sikh Religion Initiation-Amrit and Sikh Code of Conduct
1 Sikh Religion Initiation-Amrit and Sikh code of conduct (Mandatory for Sikhs) By- Mewa Singh (Ret) Judge,california Sikh religion believes in, Fatherhood of God, Brotherhood of mankind and Truthful living. Concept of God is, one and only one, creator of the entire creation, its sustainer and destroyer, without any incarnation, unborn and self illuminated, whose light shines in all. Only His Name is to be meditated to abide in the mind, which burns ego, eliminates vices, inculcates virtues to lead a truthful living in Sikh way of life, obeying the Will of God, the Almighty, awaiting His grace to unite with Him. Truth, Name of God and Pious deeds is the Divine message of Sikhism to convert the human mind from self narrow egoistic tendencies to God tuned of higher consciousness to be activated in all the socio-political affairs throughout the span of life. Divine knowledge is to be obtained from the Divine teachings of Sikhism but it is not the end of the matter as these are to be acted upon in the practical Sikh way of life. It automatically leads to truthful living in Sikh way of life, which is infect way of God. Fatherhood of God automatically leads to Brotherhood of Mankind, as the same is the creator of the entire creation, the same is His light which shines in all. The Divine message of Sikhism is that human race is one, without any distinctions or discrimations on any ground whatsoever. The religions, faiths, systems, which created divisions and discrimations in mankind were out rightly rejected in Sikhism and effective steps were taken to establish equality in mankind.