User talk:Manveerr
Kara and the Sacred Thread?
I was born into a Sikh family. As I grew up, I was forced to take Punjabi classes and Kirtan classes at my local Gurdwara. As a result, I also learned a lot about my religion; I’ve attended lectures, read books and biographies and been to spiritual classes. And after all that, I have to say, I still don’t completely believe in my religion.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, said the words, “Na ko-ee Hindu, Na ko-ee Musalman,” which means, No one is hindu, no one is muslim. His meaning was to explain that everyone is equal. There is no religion that divides us; we are all human.
So my question is, why on earth would he go start a new religion? That would simply cause further divide, and he was trying to get people to unite. His message was simply to love everyone, love one god, and help the poor and needy.
There is a story about Guru Nanak Dev Ji that I remember particularly well, and it’s called “The Sacred Thread.” The story explains that Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who was born into a Hindu family, was supposed to tie this thread around his wrist for religious purposes during a religious ceremony. However, he stopped the priest and asked him, “How is this thread sacred? Will it go with me when I go to God when I die? I will wear something that goes with my soul if you have it, for otherwise it is meaningless.” Now I don’t remember the exact phrasing he said, but that was the general idea.
Now compare this to the Sikh Kara… and ask the same questions. It won’t go with you when you die. It is simply a bracelet.
Of course you could make the argument that it is the symbolic meaning of the Kara that makes people wear it. But comparing it to Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the sacred thread, I see far too many similarities between them. I’m sure the sacred thread had an important meaning too, but as Guru Nanak Dev Ji explained, it was simply that, a meaning, and not really sacred.
At the end of the day, it is simply a bracelet that you wear, and doesn’t reflect your soul that will go to God and be judged. I believe you should wear the meanings you want to reflect in this world on your soul and try to live true to them, for those will be judged when we leave this Earth. If God exists, that is; but that’s another discussion.
Yet Sikhi has changed so much from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who had introduced Khalsa, and the five K’s, including the Kara.
I can understand that it was a different time and Guru Gobind Singh Ji wanted symbols to unite his people, but regardless of that fact, I don’t believe true followers of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, or Sikhs, should try to divide themselves from everyone else, for as he said, we are all one.
Sikhism as presented by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, provides me more insight into life than anything else I have ever encountered about Sikhism. Loving everyone, treating everyone equally, and remembering that we are all human, not separate religions or castes.
If anyone has any other opinions or insight that they could provide me, I welcome them. I’ve just had these thoughts for a very long time and I genuinely want to ask other Sikhs what they think of them. I am not trying to attack my faith, but rather understand it. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Since this page can be edited by anyone, including my original questions and points, I'd like to post a link to my tumblr page where I had originally written this: www.thebenjaminbuttonmind.tumblr.com/post/153226352047/sikhism to be sure nothing is changed. I have written it in the format where an established user will review and activate the link in the next day or so, because it is not a harmful link. I was warned "If you don't want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then don't submit it here." by this page, so I am simply trying to protect my discussion.
Reply by Hari Singh
Dear Manveer ji,
Kara and Janoo - the sacred thread: See article Guru Nanak and the Sacred Thread
I believe that you missed the main 2 points made by the Guru when he refused to wear the Janoo - the sacred thread. This thread was a symbol for the promotion of discrimination. A janoo cannot be worn if your are a female or if you are a non-brahmin or a person of a lower caste. A woman was barred from wearing a janoo. Similarly a non-brahmin or 'Sudar' was not allowed to participate in the janoo ceremony or wear the sacred thread.
With due respect, this was the reason why the Guru refused to wear the 'sacred thread'. I think you were not explained the situation in the correct context and you may have missed that main purpose for the Guru refusing to wear this symbol. An evil and degrading symbol which was meant to elevate the male brahmin to a higher social level compared to all the others in that society.
Clearly that cannot be right. Guru Nanak believed in the equality of all humans and could not allow this ceremony to continue. Accordingly, although still a child, he refused to participate in this ceremony as it was a symbol of discrimination and segregation of section of the same community. As a child he challenged the establishment and the promotion of this degrading cultural tradition.
A kara on the other hand can be worn by any Sikh - male, female, black, white, high caste or of no caste, etc. So it is not a symbol of discrimination within the Sikh community - It is a symbol which promotes unity and non-discrimination; it promotes equality and unification of the human race. It is a symbol of unification and promotion of equality; it displaces segregation and sexual discrimination. In fact anyone who respects Sikhism and Sikh values can wear a kara.
The message of Guru Nanak is the same as the message of Guru Gobind Singh. All the Sikh gurus have shown the same path to obtain a better spiritual life. Each Guru has shown how the Sikh principles have to be applied to the circumstances of the time. As the world became more violent, the Sikhs had to modify their behaviour and carry arms to protect themselves, defend the weak and promote righteousness.
I hope this has provided you with some clarification. Please feel free to ask any questions if required.
Sat Sri Akal Hari Singhtalk 01:11, 26 November 2016 (CST)
