Sikh FAQ
Khalsa
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Profile:
Name: Khalsa
Founded: 1699
Founder:
Name: Guru Gobind Singh (Tenth Guru)
Born: 1666
Died: 1708
History:
The Khalsa is an organization of especially devout Sikhs created by the Tenth Guru,
Gobind Singh, as a means to help unite the Sikhs and encourage devotion to Sikh
ideals. The group is quasi-military in nature and its members are regarded as something
akin to a Sikh army.
Gobind Singh invited Sikhs from all over India to attend a special festival at Anandpur Sahib, but not informing them of what his real intentions were. While there, he asked for volunteers to step forward and die for their faith. Eventually, a few stepped forward - they were taken into a tent and, by all appearances, beheaded by Gobind Singh. This horrified those in attendance and some even left in disgust, but after the fifth Gobind emerged with the volunteers, still alive, but dressed as soldiers
Gobind Singh announced that he had been testing the Sikhs and becuase those five were willing to die for their faith, they would constitute the leadership of the Sikh community. He called them his Panj Piare ("Five Beloved Ones") and they were the first initiates into the Khalsa.
Today when someone is initiated into the Khalsa, men are encouraged to adopt the surname Singh (Lion) and women are encouraged to adopt the surname Kaur (Princess). This change in name represents the fact that they are essentially born into a new life, abandoning their old caste, and are part of new family.
Initiation involves taking a vessel of fresh water mixed with sugar and transforming it into nectar by reciting hymns of the Gurus over it and stirring it with a double-edged sword. This becomes known as amrit nectar and the process is sometimes referred to as a baptism in analogy to the Christian rite.
Beliefs:
Members of the Khalsa follow a strict code of conduct based upon the beliefs common to
Sikhs generally. In essence, they don't have separate beliefs, but are expected
to follow the Sikh beliefs more strictly. They do not: smoke, drink alochol,
or use mind-altering drugs. They are supposed to meditate and prayer every morning
and every evening. They are also expected to take up arms and fight in the defense of
oppressed people - even if they aren't Sikhs. Because of this combination of ideals of
militancy and moral perfection, members of the Khalsa are sometimes referred to as
Sant Sipahi, which means "Saint Soldiers".
The beliefs of the Khalsa are represented by the "Five Ks":
kesh: uncut hair;
kanga: a wooden comb;
kaccha: short baggy undergarment;
kara: a steel bracelet;
kirpan: a short sword
Maintenance of uncut hair symbolizes a person's acceptance of the natural form which God has given humanity. The wooden comb represents not just the duty to keep oneself clean and tidy (especially with long hair), but also the principle of disciplined living generally. Baggy undergarments represent the requirement of sexual chastity. The steel bracelet, used to protect the wrist in battle, also represents God's power and protection. Finally, the sword symbolizes the need for the Khalsa to always be ready to defend the oppressed (although the sword itself is not to be used in acts of violence).
The turban, which many people think of as being characteristic of Sikhs generally, is not required either for Sikhs or for the Khalsa. However, it is traditional for members of the Khalsa to wear a turban - it both covers their uncut hair and it causes them to stand out in crowds.
It should be noted that someone wearing the symbols of the Khalsa, including the bracelet and the turban, is not necessarily a members. Many Sikhs who have not gone through the Khalsa initiation ceremony also wear these as symbols of their faith.
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