Sikhism
Sikhism
If one was taken to the structure of a gurudwara in India and asked to guess what the structure was, it would be very difficult for him to take cognizance of the fact that the structure was a place of worship. Because you see, there is no one selling garlands or candles or chadar outside a gurudwara. And, following suit, there is no beggar asking for alms. As evident as it can get, Sikhs do not make money from religion. They follow a code of conduct when practicing Sikhism, which treads a thin line between inclusion and exclusion. Unlike Parsi agyaris where only Parsis are allowed, everyone is allowed in a Sikh gurudwara, provided you cover your head. They’ll correct you innumerable times if they have to, to get you to cover your head. Unlike Parsis which do not welcome or encourage people to convert to their religion, Sikhism is flexible about conversions, but one has to get baptized and get sworn in to follow the religion.
The Sikhs do not practice idol worship or pray to any ‘superficial powers’. There is a legend that preaches this-
Once Guru Nanak was in Hardwar, a Hindu center of pilgrimage on the banks of the holy Ganga. Here the Guru found a large gathering of devotees bathing in the river and offering water to the sun.
“Why do you throw water to the sun in this way?” Guru Ji asked the pilgrims.
“It is an offering to the Sun God” they replied.
Guru Nanak heard this and turned the opposite way and started throwing water to the west.
“What are you doing?” asked a fellow pilgrim. “The Sun is to the east, not to the west”
“I am not offering water to the Sun, I am trying to water my fields in a village near Lahore” said the Guru.
The people mocked “How can your water reach your crops so far?”
“If your water can reach the Sun, why can’t mine reach my fields a short distance from here?" asked Guru Nanak.
.
Thus in the gurduwara no bell chimes nor do they have a priest to recite the prayers. This is because the founder of the religion – Guru Nanak
If one was taken to the structure of a gurudwara in India and asked to guess what the structure was, it would be very difficult for him to take cognizance of the fact that the structure was a place of worship. Because you see, there is no one selling garlands or candles or chadar outside a gurudwara. And, following suit, there is no beggar asking for alms. As evident as it can get, Sikhs do not make money from religion. They follow a code of conduct when practicing Sikhism, which treads a thin line between inclusion and exclusion. Unlike Parsi agyaris where only Parsis are allowed, everyone is allowed in a Sikh gurudwara, provided you cover your head. They’ll correct you innumerable times if they have to, to get you to cover your head. Unlike Parsis which do not welcome or encourage people to convert to their religion, Sikhism is flexible about conversions, but one has to get baptized and get sworn in to follow the religion.
The Sikhs do not practice idol worship or pray to any ‘superficial powers’. There is a legend that preaches this-
Once Guru Nanak was in Hardwar, a Hindu center of pilgrimage on the banks of the holy Ganga. Here the Guru found a large gathering of devotees bathing in the river and offering water to the sun.
“Why do you throw water to the sun in this way?” Guru Ji asked the pilgrims.
“It is an offering to the Sun God” they replied.
Guru Nanak heard this and turned the opposite way and started throwing water to the west.
“What are you doing?” asked a fellow pilgrim. “The Sun is to the east, not to the west”
“I am not offering water to the Sun, I am trying to water my fields in a village near Lahore” said the Guru.
The people mocked “How can your water reach your crops so far?”
“If your water can reach the Sun, why can’t mine reach my fields a short distance from here?" asked Guru Nanak.
.
Thus in the gurduwara no bell chimes nor do they have a priest to recite the prayers. This is because the founder of the religion – Guru Nanak