silver 2039
Deity
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
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Yes again after Indhira Ghandi was assinated by her Sikh body gaurds the *******s rioted instead of partying and killed a bunch of Skihs.
Sikhism
- Thread starter Blackbird_SR-71
- Start date
Agree absolutely with much of the above.
I'm amazed that the Sikhs/Sikhism were left out as a people/religion. Would have added a very interesting martial race with v cool unique units.....
The Nihang, the ultimate Sikh soldiers (18th century?) - elite battle hardened, fearless fighters that their enemies were absolutely terrified of. And then the British trained later Sikh soldiers with modern arms.
I'm amazed that the Sikhs/Sikhism were left out as a people/religion. Would have added a very interesting martial race with v cool unique units.....
The Nihang, the ultimate Sikh soldiers (18th century?) - elite battle hardened, fearless fighters that their enemies were absolutely terrified of. And then the British trained later Sikh soldiers with modern arms.
Rambuchan
The Funky President
Pretty much all of what has been said about Sikhs and Sikhism is true here. I'll throw in somemore observations.
The synthesis of Hindu and Muslim theologies achieved by Sikhism can be broken down broadly as follows. Sikhism threw out polythesim and embraced a one God philosophy. It also identifies itself as a religion of the book and every Sikh Gurdwara (temple) contains their holy text which is revered and included in most ceremonies through a Sikh's life.
Sikhism also sought to rid itself of Hindu caste system shackles, but this has not been done with any widesprad success. Sikhs in India and abroad are still woefully conscious of their place in society. This is evidenced by their choices of names. Many you will meet abroad choose to called themselves Singh (which afaik means lion). But they have other names which they don't choose to use, because these denote where they are from (mostly villages in the Punjab) and also what profession/caste they belong to. This seriously affects their marriage habits is imo a sad failing of the society and not the religion.
The antagonism that Sikhs show toward Muslims and Hindus (in a lesser sense, for the reasons already given) has a few facets to it. There are the Mughal roots of Sikhism as mentioned, there are the Indhira Gandhi and British connections mentioned. It's also worth noting that the location of most of the upheavals of Partition meant that it was mostly Sikhs (along with Pakistanis) who entered into Britain and other Commonwealth countries after their homeland became unliveable in. So the Sikhs have been buffered about a bit by various groups in their history.
These all result in what can almost be described as a parallel social situation as the Irish hold in Britain. In Indian and Indian communities it can be common to find jokes such as the English make about the Irish, but directed at 'Suthars', 'Sutharjis', 'Turbo Chargers', Sikhs basically. Aside from the stupidity jibes, there are digs at their turbans, supposed randiness / drunkeness / general recklessness. There are also jokes about their entrepreneurial skills. Such as "When the Titanic sank, they found a Sikh shop on the bed of the Atlantic Ocean, in preparation for this niche in the subaquatic retail market."
Their musicianship is noteworthy alongside their martial traditions. It's Bhangra that rocks their parties and it's electrifying stuff. A mate of mine, a Welsh bloke called Rhys funnily enough, married a Sikh girl. He got carted into the reception on the shoulders of these bearded giants dressed in golden tassled outfits and turbans. Accompanying them was a troop of Dhol drummers (the tubular drum that gets whacked by two curved sticks on either side) cranking out an infectious beat. They certainly do their weddings and parties in style. It's also worth noting that the recently successful radio and TV comedy show 'Goodness Gracious Me', was almost entirely written, produced and performed by British Asians from the Sikh community.
Finally, I wanted to mention the fundmentals of the Sikh faith, because in reading these points below, you can see how the Islamic and Hindu ideologies have been fused together.
The synthesis of Hindu and Muslim theologies achieved by Sikhism can be broken down broadly as follows. Sikhism threw out polythesim and embraced a one God philosophy. It also identifies itself as a religion of the book and every Sikh Gurdwara (temple) contains their holy text which is revered and included in most ceremonies through a Sikh's life.
Sikhism also sought to rid itself of Hindu caste system shackles, but this has not been done with any widesprad success. Sikhs in India and abroad are still woefully conscious of their place in society. This is evidenced by their choices of names. Many you will meet abroad choose to called themselves Singh (which afaik means lion). But they have other names which they don't choose to use, because these denote where they are from (mostly villages in the Punjab) and also what profession/caste they belong to. This seriously affects their marriage habits is imo a sad failing of the society and not the religion.
The antagonism that Sikhs show toward Muslims and Hindus (in a lesser sense, for the reasons already given) has a few facets to it. There are the Mughal roots of Sikhism as mentioned, there are the Indhira Gandhi and British connections mentioned. It's also worth noting that the location of most of the upheavals of Partition meant that it was mostly Sikhs (along with Pakistanis) who entered into Britain and other Commonwealth countries after their homeland became unliveable in. So the Sikhs have been buffered about a bit by various groups in their history.
These all result in what can almost be described as a parallel social situation as the Irish hold in Britain. In Indian and Indian communities it can be common to find jokes such as the English make about the Irish, but directed at 'Suthars', 'Sutharjis', 'Turbo Chargers', Sikhs basically. Aside from the stupidity jibes, there are digs at their turbans, supposed randiness / drunkeness / general recklessness. There are also jokes about their entrepreneurial skills. Such as "When the Titanic sank, they found a Sikh shop on the bed of the Atlantic Ocean, in preparation for this niche in the subaquatic retail market."
Their musicianship is noteworthy alongside their martial traditions. It's Bhangra that rocks their parties and it's electrifying stuff. A mate of mine, a Welsh bloke called Rhys funnily enough, married a Sikh girl. He got carted into the reception on the shoulders of these bearded giants dressed in golden tassled outfits and turbans. Accompanying them was a troop of Dhol drummers (the tubular drum that gets whacked by two curved sticks on either side) cranking out an infectious beat. They certainly do their weddings and parties in style. It's also worth noting that the recently successful radio and TV comedy show 'Goodness Gracious Me', was almost entirely written, produced and performed by British Asians from the Sikh community.
Finally, I wanted to mention the fundmentals of the Sikh faith, because in reading these points below, you can see how the Islamic and Hindu ideologies have been fused together.
These are the Panj Kakar (5 Ks), which are followed to varying degrees by modern day Sikhs. They also explain the reason for their turbans and other adornments.
FascistRepublic
Warlord
I have. Its preety much screw Islam, Screw Hinduisim, this is what we belive.
punkbass2000
Des An artiste
I'm think I'm pretty familiar with Sikhism. I read a text book about Eastern religions last year and I'd say a good 50 pages (one chapter) was devoted to Sikhism. I'm no expert by any means, of course.
FascistRepublic said:
That's a pretty warped view, and is absolutely not a Sikh view. Sikhism is in fact an entirely tolerant religion in that it is stated that a devout follower of another religion is simply following another path to God. In fact Islam is specifically in that context.
However, it is true to say that antagonism exists for a large number of Sikhs towards muslims in general because of the history of severe persecution and genocide suffered at the hands of the muslim moghuls.
It is in no way true to say that similar antagonism exists towards Hindus. If ever there was such antagonism it existed for a short spell following Operation Bluestar. It certainly does not exist now, nor before that.
I find it very hard to believe that many people haven't heard of Sikhism (or Jainism for that matter). Although I also find it very hard to believe that there are more Sikhs in the world than, say, Daoists. There are more Christians in India than there are Sikhs!
But it's also true that their beliefs and practices aren't very prominent, even though they are. I remember that "Goodness Gracious Me" sketch about a young British Sikh asking his father to explain the religion, and the father says something along the lines of, "Sikhism is very simple. You need a man and a turban. That's it." And the son presses him, "But what about our history? Our philosophy? Our rich cultural traditions?" "No - man, turban, that's pretty much it..." etc.
But it's also true that their beliefs and practices aren't very prominent, even though they are. I remember that "Goodness Gracious Me" sketch about a young British Sikh asking his father to explain the religion, and the father says something along the lines of, "Sikhism is very simple. You need a man and a turban. That's it." And the son presses him, "But what about our history? Our philosophy? Our rich cultural traditions?" "No - man, turban, that's pretty much it..." etc.
Plotinus said:
That's because Sikhism has no missionary tradition. It is not a religion that seeks to preach to or convert more followers. This is of course in line with it's extremely tolerant stance towards other religions - in contrast with a number of other faiths.
I found an interesting verse by the 10th Guru, that symbolises the importance of the sword in Sikhism:
"O Sword, O Conqueror of continents,
O Vanquisher of the hosts of evil,
O Embellisher of the brave in the field of battle.
Thy Arms are unbreakable,
Thy Light refulgent,
Thy Glory and Splendor dazzle like the sun.
O Happiness of the holy,
O Crusher of evil intent,
O Subduer of sin, I seek Thy refuge."
"O Sword, O Conqueror of continents,
O Vanquisher of the hosts of evil,
O Embellisher of the brave in the field of battle.
Thy Arms are unbreakable,
Thy Light refulgent,
Thy Glory and Splendor dazzle like the sun.
O Happiness of the holy,
O Crusher of evil intent,
O Subduer of sin, I seek Thy refuge."
I'd like to stress, that please take all works put in english as transliterations. Not direct translations. A lot of the meaning can actually be skewed or made to imply something else when taken out of the Gurkmukhi context.
Especially the Mool Mantar that is usually quoted on our definition of 'God'. We then get the definition of being a 'God-fearing' religion.
Especially the Mool Mantar that is usually quoted on our definition of 'God'. We then get the definition of being a 'God-fearing' religion.
The 777 Hoax
future skeleton
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2005
- Messages
- 1,599
I've heard about it, but know nothing about it.
Aion
King
Sure I've heard. The waiter in my favourite restaurant is a Sikh. And surprisingl his name is Mr. Singh 
It's hard to believe anybody would not have heard about Sikhism, they're pretty eye-catching with their turbans and stuff. Jainism is of course much more obsure to most people, but that's a different matter.
I knew also that that their religion is some kind of syncretism of Hinduism and Islam, though I found it very hard to imagine what exactly that would look like. Some interesting reading on this thread, btw.
It's hard to believe anybody would not have heard about Sikhism, they're pretty eye-catching with their turbans and stuff. Jainism is of course much more obsure to most people, but that's a different matter.I knew also that that their religion is some kind of syncretism of Hinduism and Islam, though I found it very hard to imagine what exactly that would look like. Some interesting reading on this thread, btw.
Willowmound
Wordbug
Sikhs have the best turbans.
Riesstiu IV
Deity
Here's a video that summarizes Sikh history and the importance of the Gurus in song form. The language is Punjabi but it has nice illustrations anyways.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blo6Mxdw8Dk&search=Sikh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blo6Mxdw8Dk&search=Sikh
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