Special
Focus - Religious
 Humility, secularism &
equality have got a very special place in Sikhism. We have some unusual incidents and
certain observations that can perhaps portray the height of humility in Sikhism and its
unparallel uniqueness. Once, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s son Baba Sri Chand Ji visited the
4th Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji and asked him, why is he supporting such a long beard?
On hearing this, Guru Ram Ji replied, “To dust (clean) the feet of great Saints like
you”. And as the Guru went down to clean his feet with his beard, Baba Sri Chand Ji
hugged the Guru and said, “Thank you for making me realize that humility can also
have such peaks and dimensions too”! It is very rare to find this kind of an example
in humility anywhere else in other religions of the world.
Once Bhai Daatu Ji, the
son of the 2nd Guru, Guru Angad Dev Ji, kicked the 3rd Guru, Sri Guru Amar Dass Ji with
his feet due to extreme jealousy and anger but in reaction to this insult in front of the
entire congregation, Guru Sahib held the feet of Bhai Daatu and asked him with utmost
concern and humility, “I am sorry I am too old and my bones have become very hard, I
hope your feet did not get hurt my dear Daatu Ji”! Very rarely one can find such an
example of humility in other religions of the world.
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji
the 5th Guru made a Muslim Fakir Saeen Mian Meer put the first foundation brick of Sri
Harimandar Sahib,(The Golden Temple) to establish this fact forever, that secularism is
one of the fundamental principals of Sikhism. It is a rare and unique example of
secularism, where the first foundation brick of a supreme place of worship was laid down
by a Muslim saint who was from another religion.
The holy Baani (hymns)
of various saints from other religions have been compiled in the Holy Scriptures of Sri
Guru Granth Sahib, the esteemed and supreme Guru of the Sikhs. This is another such
unusual example of equality and secularism, which is rare to be found anywhere else in
today’s world.
The base of Sri
Harimandar Sahib (The Golden Temple) was purposely chosen to be lower then its surrounding
areas by Guru Sahib to give more emphasis on humility. Today if you visit Harimadar Sahib
for Darshan you have to climb down with humility and not climb up wards to pay your
respects. This is another unusual highlight in Sikhism, rarely found elsewhere.
Sri Harimandar Sahib
(The Golden Temple) has four entrances in four directions, to signify the truth in
Sikhism, that the place of worship is open to the entire humanity with out any kind of
discrimination of cast, creed, religion or color. In Sikhism, all human beings are equal
and welcome to their place of worship from anywhere in the world. This kind of open
invitation on the basis of equality to all human beings in a supreme place of worship is a
very unique religious philosophy to be rarely found elsewhere.
Langar (Community
kitchen) is another unusual religious concept in Sikhism, where every one is be served
free food in all the places of worship, with out any kind of discrimination of cast,
creed, religion, color or origin. Any one can walk in to a Langar Hall in any of the
Gurudwras (places of worship) all over the world and he will be served (Langar) food with
utmost humility and enthusiasm. All are made to sit in a Pangat (Row) to signify equality
and eat Guru’s Langar with a lot of respect. Besides this, in most of the Gurudwaras
(Places of worship) all over the world, a place to stay is also provided free of charge.
These are some of the rare religious highlights, which are perhaps only found in Sikhism.
Note: In case you have
any other unique religious chapter, observation or inspiring incident then you must send
it to us by clicking contact at the top of this page and we will be in touch with you for
future updates. Thanks you. |