Last year in March I had done a post called The dangerous regression of Sikhism. It was largely to do with the fact that things that differentiated Sikhism from others i.e. its level of tolerance, forward thinking attitude, being against specific set rules and being riddled with inanities that plague are fighting a losing battle against the very things it set out to vanquish. (bitter politics, intolerance and a sense of insecurity etc) For me, the Mandira Bedi tattoo incident was a reminder of how we are continuing to waste time and energy on random issues while the community faces larger challenges. Check out the link above. I still feel every word of it holds true.
@ regression: khamba, i think..maybe..stereotypical branding of any religion is inappropriate..
also..i believe..for every indian..as far as religion is concerned.. first it is important to create awareness..
and that will lead to acceptance..
maybe..they shd teach the basic tenets of every religion at elementary school..[no religious fanaticism..only basics]
While the following may sound pesudo, however, i believe each religion has a life before it needs to be overhauled and brought back to the fundamentals or give birth to a new one. Which usually is is by way of a revolution, because you are transforming somes faith. Sikhsim too has reached that state, where a revolution needs to be called for.
Fortunately, the fundamental principle of Sikhsm is tolerance without any strings attached or any preconditions and therefore it may be easier to reform the existing as opposed to forming a new one. Hopefully a bloodless coup. One that adapts to its time,5ks and thier significance included but holds on to its basic foundation.
Unfortunately, the task becomes even more challenging because the next generation have starting following "rituals" blindly, without unerstanding or questioning.
I actually lost my cool at a "paiji" at the darbarsahib who asked me to give "daan" at a small gurdwara he had made just before where you get prashad! Who then gave me a sermon on how it is a ritual and ill be blessed if i did so. My foot. Anyway...
Fortunately, the solutions is also simple...keep questioning and stick to the first principles. It may take a revolution, but as long as you question and have your book of Why with you, we should be able to get them back on track.
too much ho gaye ga if one were to shout bole? :)
On the Mandira Bedi Tattoo "Scandal" i ahve two questions to our "learned and kuttur self proclaimed leaders"
(a) Wasnt it a "traditional practice" to have an Om or Onkar tattoo (in green) on yur hand/wrist? so why not on your back in black?
(b) would you rather women flaunt tattoos of naked blury men instead?
its major hypocrisy when it comes to matter relating to religions. Its the same story everywhere. They are just wasting their time , energy and lots of resources concentrating on thing sthat don't even matter. For all you know she respects Sikhism way more than you can ever do.
An analogy here.. The case on Karan Johar for people sitting in K3g while the national anthem was sung.. don't they see the amount of respect it was getting in the first place. Its okay for people to stand and abuse it and but when they sit and respect it, its wrong.
Also the fact that anything which becomes restrictive is hypocritical. Sikhism stood against restrictions of any kind. So if someone cuts their hair and follows the ideals of sikhism he doesnt become less of a sikh first and is also better than the ones who go ' I wish I had short hair, but I am a sikh damn it!'
As a turbanned Sikh I am fed up to the back teeth with all the hypocrisy and ritualisation of my religion. I am confident that things will change with the younger generation and would prefer the term renaissance to revolution.
@cappacinimelody - the religion does not need to be adapted. It has already been "adapted" by other parties with their own agenda (British, Maharajas, SGPC, etc). It simply needs to revert back to its roots. Read the real history and, if you are a Sikh, you feel even prouder of your religion as the truth is revealed. There is one book I would strongly recommend as the first step to better understand what it meant to be Sikh.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Masters-Presence-Sikhs-Hazoor-Sahib/dp/0956016804
Khamba, I read your other Sikh themed posts with great interest. Your opinions need to expressed as there is a growing Sikh audience, who are also frustrated, that are willing to listen to them.
Keep up the good fight!
is it weird that if i swaped a few words here and there, this would exactly mirror what has become of modern day Islam.
Read both and I must say, you have a serious journo in you, somewhere :)
Keep it up!
@ Unofficial - They did at my school. Don't know how it works in others. In my experience however (this is purely subjective) those who come from government, Hindu or Islamic schools generally have very little idea of other smaller (relatively) religions and sects. Also I really wonder how many would be interested in learning about that.
@ cappucino , randomtalkshop and The - I don't think there is a readiness for anyone to be able to accept change. Invariably if a religion or community is threatened they go back to their roots, but for me I think the retreat has been more related to superficial aspects (hair cuts etc) as compared to deeper aspects when it comes to relevance or the need / justification of faith. Insecurity does that I guess.
@ Annie - Stupid bachelors degree has some traces somewhere I guess :)
ah... Its not all eu natural :P
@ Annie - I would like to think it still is. I did a degree in canteen (hons) mostly :P