R.E Coursework - Sikh Marriage
R.E Coursework - Sikh Marriage Introduction Expect among some westernised subgroups in the larger Indian cities social mixing between the sexes is restricted, even in co-educational schools. Also, the joint or extended family system is still the Indian norm. It is in this context, which can only be referred to in passing in this piece of coursework, that Sikh marriage must be understood. Marriage, traditionally, is not a private matter between two persons. Through the couple two families become closely connected and into one family comes a stranger, the wife. She has therefore to be compatible not only with her husband but with his parents, brothers, their wives and his unmarried sisters. Ideally the marriage is based upon love, the love of both families for their offspring. Social status and monetary advantage, if they play a part, should be subordinate considerations. Assisted marriage rather than arranged marriage is the phrase Sikhs would prefer to describe the procedure of choosing a husband or wife. The decision to marry is itself a joint one, though custom also plays its part. Among some groups there may be a tradition of marriage at fourteen or fifteen. Child marriage in the traditional Indian sense has always been repudiated by Sikhs and a 14-year-old in India can be shouldering considerable adult responsibilities. The legal limit in India now is eighteen for women
What is the difference between a Sikh, a Sahajdhari Sikh and a Khalsa? Please explain in context with the definition of a Sikh given in Sikh Rehat Maryada.
A1: What is the difference between a Sikh, a Sahajdhari Sikh and a Khalsa? Please explain in context with the definition of a Sikh given in Sikh Rehat Maryada (the Sikh Code of Conduct) The meaning of the word 'Sikh' is a disciple. Although you can be a Sikh (learner) of anything/anyone this word has been adopted by the followers of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's philosophy. The basic belief of a 'Sikh' is a person who believes in one God and in the teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus. They must believe in the sovereignty of Guru Granth Sahib and respects all other scriptures, prophets and religions. Apart from this the most important belief, which is an important necessity for the Sikh way of life, is being apart of the baptism ceremony initiated by our 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. This means that in order to call yourself a proper Sikh, it includes practising the beliefs and following the teachings. However, looking deeper into the meaning of a Sikh, we can discover that this word can be separated into three different classifications; all containing the basic theme of Sikhism but each differentiate in their own way. The three mainstream Sikhs include the Sahajdharis, a normal Sikh, also known as a Keshdhari, and a Khalsa or Amritdhari. The word Sahajdhari was known before becoming prominent during the 1880's as a definition of a Hindu or Muslim, or a non-sikh who had a
Sikhism (Detailed)
The Sikh religion began about 500 years ago in the Punjab region of India (shown on the right). Sikhism was started by a man called Guru Nanak, the title Guru means teacher. He was born at a time in India when Muslims and Hindus were living in the same region but did not get a long well at all, there was conflict and arguments. Sikh religion tells us that at the age of thirty, Guru Nanak went missing and was presumed to have drowned after going for one of his morning baths to a local stream called the Kali Bein, his friend tried to find him and so ordered the whole river to be netted out-he was not found. People had begun to think he was dead but surprisingly three days later he reappeared and would give the same answer to any question asked to him: "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim" (in Punjabi, "na ko hindu na ko musalman"). It was from this moment that Guru Nanak would begin to spread the teachings of what was then the beginning of Sikhism. He (Guru Nanak) began preaching to others that there should be tolerance of other faiths; it made sense to some people. He taught people that the differences in people's religions were not important in God's eyes. He tried to spread his teachings to everyone everywhere Although the exact account of his journey is unclear, he is widely known to have made four major journeys, across thousands of kilometres. The first being east
What Are the Qualities That Have Kept Kim Constantly In Print For a Century?
WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THAT HAVE KEPT KIM CONSTANTLY IN PRINT FOR A CENTURY? First of all to examine the qualities of this book we should approach it as an adventure story probably aimed primarily at adolescent boys. In this book the main character Kim is seeking to find his place in the country in which he was born, while at the same time struggling to find, or build, an identity for him. 'Who is Kim?' 'What is Kim?' Kim asks himself at several points in the novel, and although the plot has a loose picaresque structure, being held together by a journey, making it a kind of road novel, the theme of Kim needing to find himself seems to be the backbone of the story. The quest for meaning of existence is called existentialism. Kim has also been seen as the best of a genre among 19th century schoolboys, the historical adventure story. These stories normally involved a boy-hero travelling around the empire. It is common that they revolve around wars against 'native people' in remote colonies. It was normal for a schoolboy to perceive a 'native' as a cannibal. Kim can be seen as different from the majority of these novels as it is not racist or one-sided. Kim maybe British but is influenced almost entirely by his upbringing into Indian life. Kim also has complex personality, which matures as he learns from other personalities, such as the lama. By birth Kim is a white, Irish
Sikh’s and Conflict
Kelly Alexander 11YA Coursework One - Sikh's and Conflict Part 1 In 1606 Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru was tortured to death. The Mughal ruler had ordered the Guru's arrest and said he would only be allowed to go if he agreed to stop preaching his religion and paid a large fine of 200 000 rupees. To this the Guru said that he could never stop preaching his religion and if he had such a large sum of money he would give it to the poor. The Mughal leader responded by locking the Guru in a cell for three days in the hottest month of May without any food or water. As the Guru had still yet to agree to the demands on the fourth day he was put on a barrel of hot water. This was still not enough to break his resolve so on the fifth day hot sand was poured onto his naked body. On the sixth day he was made to sit on a red-hot iron plate, he still would not give up his belief in religious tolerance. Eventually he was pushed in a river where he drowned. The whole time he was being tortured he did not ask for mercy once, he only repeated God's name and said, "Your will is sweet to me" This is one example of the persecution Sikhs suffered at the time of the Mughal emperors. The Guru believed in tolerance of religions, that all people should have the right to worship as they chose and that no religion is the one and only path to God. Sikh's today mark the anniversary of his death by
The Apostle of Obedience
Guru Angad Dev The Apostle of Obedience The atrocities, committed by the Muslim invaders, had, no doubt, put the indigenous population of India into great suffering. But the impact of the Brahmanical malpractices was much greater. Through the convention of rituals and caste discrimination the Hindu priesthood was plundering the innocent people. Under such circumstances Bhai Lehna was born on March 31, 1504, AD, at village Mate-dee-Saran in the present District of Ferzpore in Punjab. His father, Baba Pheru Mal, ran a successful business of rope making. His mother, Mai Daya Kaur was a very pious lady. He was married to Bibi Kheevi, the daughter of Devi Chand in the year 1519 AD. Although Bhai Lehna was an ardent devotee of the Goddess Vaishnu Devi and used to go to her Temple in the Hills every year on pilgrimage, he was disillusioned with the Brahmanical liturgy. While passing through the vicinity of Kartarpur, on his way to the Temple, he had often heard about the Unversal mission of Guru Nanak, his Gurbani (the celestial revelations) and non-sectarian teachings. It was in the year 1532 AD when he decided to go and see Baba Nanak. Once he was there the divine light transcended and the man, who was born in luxuries of an affluent Khatri family, became the humble and most obedient disciple of Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak was busy in his rice fields when Bhai Lehna, dressed up in
A Sikh marriage.
QUESTION (A) A Sikh marriage Assisted marriage rather than arranged marriage is the phrase Sikhs would prefer to describe the procedure of choosing a husband or a wife. The family assists in finding a partner. Suitability should have as its criteria virtuous qualities, temperament and age. Social status, economic position and caste considerations also play an important role. On the morning of the wedding day the groom's sister-in-law and other female relatives go to a Gurduwara to fill an earthen pitcher or gharoli with water, which is then used to bathe the groom. Thereafter khare charna is performed in which the groom is made to sit on a stool for his bath and four girls hold a cloth to his head. A similar bathing ritual is performed at bride's house as well. The bride is then made to wear 21 bangles in red ivory and kalerien (dangling golden metal plates). The Anand form of marriage was given statutory recognition in 1909, under the Anand marriage act, it has been observed since early days of Sikhism. Sikh boys and girls are married according to its form when they grown-up and fit to undertake matrimonial responsibilities. Marriages are generally arranged and assisted by parents. Though there is no bar to the boy and the girl arranging it on their own. The marriage ceremony is simple but impressive. The bride and the bridegroom along with their relatives and friends
Sikhs believe that, “All believers are equal” - Do you agree?
Religious Studies coursework R3: Sikhs believe that, "All believers are equal" - Do you agree? I personally agree with the statement. This is because, one of the main beliefs of Sikhism is that everybody should be treated equally. They believe that all religions are just different paths to the same religious enlightenment, which is unlike some other religions who believe that their religion is the only right one. Sikhism teaches that all people are equal in the eyes of God. This is why worship in the Sikh place, the Gurdwara, is open to everyone. This is because Sikhs believe that since God is the creator of all and humanity is the supreme form of created life, human beings should be all equally and with respect. There are many entries in the Adi Granth that teach about equality. One example is: "We are God's own people and are neither high nor low nor in between." - Adi Granth 504. No-one is ever refused admission to the Gurdwara. Even if a person is not allowed to stay, because they are under the influence of alcohol or they are being disruptive, they do not leave empty handed, as everyone is fed in the Gurdwara. During the service, all "same sex" worshippers sit together (i.e. all the women sit together and the men sit together). This is not discrimination, but it is so that everyone feels comfortable during the service, as some people might feel uncomfortable if
Sikhism Coursework - Describe and explain the main features of a Gurdwara.
Sikhism Coursework a) Describe and explain the main features of a Gurdwara The Gurdwara is the Sikh place of worship. Gurdwara means 'the Guru's door' thus it is God's house. The Gurdwara is a place where all people are welcome as it is God's house. The Gurdwara is also a community centre and many events take place there; such as Punjabi lessons for young people. Outside the Gurdwara building, there is a flag called the Nishan Sahib. It is orange with the Sikh symbol on it (the khanda). The Nishan Sahib is replaced each year during the festival of Baisakhi. The main title of the Nishan Sahib is to show that the building it surrounds is a Sikh place of worship. The most important thing in the Gurdwara is the Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the Sikh Holy book). This holy book is treated with the respect of a living Guru, as Sikhs believe it has the Guru's spirit within it. It is placed on a platform to show respect. This is where a human Guru would stand so that more people could see and hear him. It is also fanned with a Chauri, made of feathers or yak's hair, as this is what would have happened in India to the Guru. It shows respect and that the Guru Granth Sahib is given the same treatment as a human Guru. The Guru Granth Sahib is kept in the Diwan Hall by day. Diwan Hall means 'Royal Court'. The Diwan Hall is the prayer hall and is in two parts - one for the men and one for
'Women play a special role in religious life.' How far is this true in relation to any religion you have studied?
Chance Divinity Essay 2004 Jaspreet Kular L5a 'Women play a special role in religious life.' How far is this true in relation to any religion you have studied? This essay will be examining the role and status of women in Sikhism and whether they do indeed play a special role in religious life. I personally believe that women do play a special and even important role within religious life, from my own experience at least within my own religion (Sikhism). Nevertheless the role and status of women in Indian society has been somewhat ambivalent. While women enjoyed a high status in Vedic society as equal partner of man in all walks of life, her position deteriorated in the years to come. In later Vedic periods women were relegated to the background and came to be treated as inferior to man with her role confined to the four walls of the household. Manu, the first codifier of the Hindu law, wrote: "From cradle to grave, a woman is dependant on man- in childhood on her father, in youth on her husband and in old age on her son." Her position suffered a further setback as a result of frequent invasions and subsequent establishment of Muslim rule in India and the introduction of Purdah and other rituals. However, it goes to the credit of Guru Nanak Ji and the successive Gurus who not only restored to Indian women the position and dignity which they had lost over the