Birth and naming ceremonies
Sikhs believe that the birth of an individual is a special gift from God and should therefore be celebrated. They also believe that a person has many reincarnationThe religious belief that existence is a cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth, and that the soul survives physical death and is reborn in a new body.. The birth of someone as a human is special as it provides the opportunity for the person to become closer to God.
Naam Karan
Sikhs celebrate the birth of a child through a naming ceremony called naam karanA Sikh ceremony for naming a newborn child. This is a special ceremony that happens at the gurdwaraSikh place of worship. Literally, the 'doorway to the Guru'. around two weeks after the birth of the child.
Elements of the ceremony include:
- everyone makes an offering to the Guru Granth SahibThe Guru Granth Sahib is the most important Sikh holy book. It is a collection of songs, prayers and hymns from the Sikh Gurus and other holy men, as well as teachings from other faiths. It is treated as a living Guru.
- the parents make Karah PrashadSanctified food ( a sweet pudding made from wheat flour, sugar, clarified butter and water) distributed at Sikh ceremonies. or give a donation for it to be made
- the family offer the gurdwara something special, such as a rumallaBeautiful cloths or coverings which cover the Guru Granth Sahib when it is not being read.
- the Mool Mantra(Mool Mantar or Mul Mantra) The basic statement of belief that appears at the beginning and throughout the Guru Granth Sahib. is said to thank God for the precious gift of life
- the sangatCongregation in a Sikh gurdwara. say prayers of thanks
- the baby is given a spoonful of amritNectar. Sanctified (holy) liquid made of sugar and water, used in initiation ceremonies. mixture
Naming the child
The granthiReader of the Guru Granth Sahib, who officiates at ceremonies. This can be a man or a woman. then opens the Guru Granth Sahib at random. This is known as Hukam The order or command of God, referred to as Waheguru.. As the page opens at random, the granthi reads the first line of the page. The first letter of the first word on that page decides the first letter of the child鈥檚 name. The parents then choose the name, which is announced by the granthi to the congregation.
Although many Sikhs use their family name, some decide to use the names KaurPrincess. Second name given to Sikh females. or SinghLion. Name adopted by Sikh males.. This is to follow Guru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind Singh was the tenth and final Sikh Guru. He established the Khalsa and completed the Guru Granth Sahib, the most important Sikh holy book. practice of calling all men Singh and all women Kaur to remind Sikhs of the oneness of humanityThe Sikh belief that all humans are equal because Waheguru created everyone equally.. Many Sikhs choose to give their children these names at the naming ceremony. Children who are not given these names may adopt them later if they choose to undergo the Amrit Sanskar ceremonyThe rite of initiation into the Khalsa (Sikhs who commit themselves to a daily discipline). as adults.
The True Guru has truly given a child. The long-lived one has been born to this destiny. He came to acquire a home in the womb, and his mother鈥檚 heart is so very glad. A son is born 鈥 a devotee of the Lord of the universe.