Sikhism and Ritualism

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The Sikh faith condemns empty rituals and superstitions. The practice of blind ritualism, worshiping of idols and inanimate objects, participating in fasts, pilgrimages, special diets, or believing in any other superstitions or fads, will not bring one closer to God or make one a better human being:

"I observe neither Hindu fasting nor the ritual of the Muslim Ramadan month; I serve the One, who at the last shall save. The Lord of the Universe of the Hindus, Gosain and Allah to me are One… I do not make pilgrimages to Mecca, nor do I worship at Hindu sacred shrines. I serve the One Lord, and not any other. I perform neither the Hindu worship nor the Muslim prayer. I have taken the One Formless Lord into my heart; and I humbly worship my Lord there. We neither are Hindus nor Muslims; our body and life belong to the One Supreme Being who alone is both Ram and Allah for us." (SGGS, 1136)

The above quote from the Sikh scripture makes reference to Hinduism and Islam, as they were the prevalent religions during that time, but this also helps clear the often-misperceived fact that Sikhism is an offshoot of Islam or Hinduism, instead of a distinct ideology and faith.

Many religions, with the passage of time had become engrossed in worthless ritualism, sacrifice and penance which brought no spiritual enhancement and value to the life of the devotee. Guru Nanak, even when he was still a child spoke against valueless rituals.

Main article: Guru Nanak and the Sacred Thread

When Nanak was only nine years old, his father Mehta Kalu, determined to have him invested with the Janoy or janeu, or "sacrificial thread of the Hindus". This ritual was commonly performed by all males of Hindu families. Until a boy is so invested, he is deemed an outcaste. When the members and relations of the Nanak family, and all the neighbours, secular and religious people, had assembled, and all preliminary rites had been duly performed, Hardial, the family priest, proceeded to put the sacred thread on Nanak's neck. The boy caught the thread with his hand, and asked the priest what he was doing, and what advantage it was to put a thread of that description on him. The priest then explained that the janoy was the basis of the Hindu religion, that without it the boy would only be a Shudra (an untouchable or outcaste), and that by putting it on greatness should be obtained in this world and happiness in the next.

Young Guru Nanak disagreed with the Brahmin priest and declined to wear the cotton thread. He reminded the priest what qualities a person should attempt to master:

Make compassion the cotton, contentment the thread, modesty the knot and truth the twist.
This is the sacred thread of the soul; if you have it, then go ahead and put it on me.

In addition to this, the Sikh Gurus spoke against other empty ritualistic practices of their time. The spoke against idol-worship or belief in gods and goddesses; astrology and fortune telling; tantra, mantra and yantra; hattha yoga and maceration of body; pilgrimages and the notions of good and bad days, places and omens; dress or deity. They also decried other negative practises like: dishonesty, slander, false-hood, alcoholism and drug-addictions, breach of faith and violence. The Gurus disapproved of renunciation of the world and sanctified the life of the householder.

The Situation before Guru Nanak

Inequality, oppression, torture, abuse, corruption, idol worship, and blind ritualism compose the thread of society. The majority of people comprise the lower castes, mainly composed of peasants, laborers and servants. They account for more than seventy to eighty percent of the population and are labeled Sudras. Most of their day is spent working extremely hard and long hours, just to be able to eat and provide crumbs for their families. Many are literally owned by the upper castes (Khatris and Brahmins) and are severely maltreated. Child labor and abuse, along with physical, verbal and sexual abuse towards the majority of the population is quite common and tolerated. The Sudras along with women are thought of as impure, polluted, and the equivalent of dogs. They are not allowed to participate or even hear any sort of "religious" ceremony or ritual performed by the Brahmin priest. They have no access to the language or any sort of education. They have no desire to demand equality and have accepted their subservient status.

Quotes from Gurbani

Through ritual actions, God cannot be won over;
The ritual cleansing of the sinner are fraudulent; his rituals and decorations are useless and empty. ((2))
Kabeer, the woman who gives up meditation on the Lord, and observes the ritual fast of Ahoi, shall be reincarnated as a donkey, to carry heavy burdens. ((108))
Those who make pilgrimages to sacred shrines, observe ritualistic fasts and make donations to charity while still taking pride in their minds - O Nanak, their actions are useless, like the elephant, who takes a bath, and then rolls in the dust. ((46))

He may practice spiritual wisdom, meditation, pilgrimages to sacred shrines and ritual cleansing baths. He may cook his own food, and never touch anyone else's; he may live in the wilderness like a hermit. But if he does not enshrine love for the Lord's Name within his heart, then everything he does is transitory. Even an untouchable pariah is superior to him, O Nanak, if the Lord of the World abides in his mind. ||16|| page 253


The ritual sacrifice of horses, giving one's weight in gold to charities, and ceremonial cleansing baths -||1|| These are not equal to singing the Praises of the Lord's Name. Meditate on your Lord, you lazy man! ||1||Pause|| page 873