Rituals of the Sikhs

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Rituals of the Sikhs are the religious practices carried out by followers of Sikhism in the temple ( Gurdwara ) and in everyday life. For example, one ritual of the Sikhs is to bring the holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib to their nightly relaxation room Sach khand at the end of a religious ceremony or reading .

Birth and naming (Janam and Naam Sanskar)

In traditional Sikh families, preparations for childbirth begin during pregnancy. During this time they recite or chant Shabad Kirtan (the sacred verses in Guru Granth Sahib) and practice Naam Simran (Waheguru Naam recitation / meditation). The mothers who are unable to recite these hymns themselves can listen to them through audio media. When a child is born, the Amrit ceremony is performed: Amrit is made by dissolving sugar crystals in water. The first five verses of Japji are read. A few drops of the amrit are dripped onto the child's forehead, the mother drinks the rest. If the mother feels well enough after the birth, she goes to the Gurdwara with the family . The Granthi opens the Guru Grant Sahib by chance and the child is given a name that begins with the first letter on the left-hand page that is opened. The parents can decide whether to give the child a name from Guru Grant Sahib or a different one. It is only important that the name begins with the open letter.

Tying the turban (dastar bandi)

Before the boys receive a dastar , they wear a patka. Every Sikh boy between the ages of 12 and 16 receives a turban. While Ardas is being recited, the Granthi or another respected member of the Sikh community puts his first turban on him. This ceremony signals the respect that the turban deserves within the Sikh tradition.

The beginning of the Khalsa (Amrit Sanchar or Khande di Pahul)

According to the Sikh religion and the instruction of the tenth Sikh guru , Guru Gobind Singh, some Sikhs wish to be initiated into the Khalsa Panth. The Brotherhood of the Pure. This baptism ceremony is performed by the Panj Piare (the Five Beloved) and two other baptized Sikhs, one of whom sits in front of the (Guru Granth Sahib) and the other stands as a guard at the door of the room. Nobody is allowed to enter or leave the room during the ceremony. Before the ceremony, the initiating Sikhs and the Panj Piare must shower and wash their hair. The Khalsa aspirants have to wear the 5 K’s .

Procedure of the baptism ceremony:

  1. One of the Panj Piare emphasizes the importance of the ceremony and performs a hookam .
  2. In the iron bowl, sugar crystals are dissolved in water with the khanda (double-edged sword), the five Panj Piare sit around the iron bowl in Bir Asan with one knee touching the ground.

The first of the Panj Piare recites the first of five prayers: Japji Sahib , during which he walks through the sugar water with the khanda in forward and backward movements. When the first prayer is finished, the second Panj Piare takes the Khanda and recites the second prayer "Jaap Sahib". During the recitation, he also runs through the baptismal water with the Khanda until the second prayer is completed. The third Panj Piare recites the "Tavprasad Savaiye" in the third prayer, he also runs through the water of baptism with the Khanda until the end of the third prayer. This is followed by the fourth Panj Piare, who recites the fourth prayer "Chaupai Sahib", like his predecessors, he passes through the baptismal water with the Khanda in forward and backward movements. Then comes the last Panj Piare, he recites the fifth prayer, the Anand Sahib, and he too goes through the baptismal water with the Khanda.

  1. Then two Panj Piare each give the aspirant five hands to drink Amrit, before each time they say Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh, the Sikh replies each time Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh. Then the Sikh is injected five times with Amrit in the eyes, here too Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh are recited five times . Following this, the Sikh is given baptismal water five times on the surface of the head.
  2. When everyone is done, everyone drinks a few sips of the baptismal water straight from the iron bowl.
  3. The initiated Sikhs (Amritdharis) are then initiated by the Panj Piare into the Mool mantra and the Gurmantra Waheguru.
  4. The entire Rehat Maryada is taught and performed to the baptized Sikhs by one of the Panj Piare.

Wedding (Anand Karaj)

Wedding ceremony of a Sikh couple

In most Sikh families today, the newlyweds choose themselves. In some Sikh families, the parents first ask a friend or acquaintance to act as a matchmaker (vichola). Once the latter has found a suitable partner, he arranges a meeting of the families. If the future partner agrees with the other, wedding preparations are made, the process of which takes place as follows:

  1. Engagement: The families mostly meet in Gurdwara. An Ardas is spoken and the daughter's parents offer their future son an iron bracelet.
  2. Premarital ceremonies
  3. Wedding procession
  4. Wedding ceremony: one gathers in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. The bride's father puts the end of a scarf in each hand of the bride and groom. The Granthi then sings four stanzas (poems) from Guru Granth Sahib, while the bride and groom circled Guru Granth Sahib four times.
  5. Reception: The bride goes back to her parents' house, says goodbye for good and moves into her husband's house.

death

The Sikhs practice burning the body (cremation). The members of the family wash the deceased and put fresh clothes on him and when the Sikh is baptized they put on the 5 Ks . After the cremation, the Guru Grant Sahib is read through completely by the Granthi within 10 days in the house of the deceased. The mourners listen.

literature

  • Arvind-pal Singh Mandair: Sikism. A Guide for the Perplexed. Bloomsbury Academic, London 2013, ISBN 978-1-4411-9341-4 .

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