The oneness of humanity
Many Sikhs believe in the oneness of humanityThe Sikh belief that all humans are equal because Waheguru created everyone equally.. This is the belief that all humans are equal because they were all created by WaheguruSikhs believe in one God called Waheguru which means 鈥榃onderful Lord鈥 or 鈥榃onderful Teacher鈥.. Sikhs also believe that Waheguru is present in every individual as the atmaSanskrit word that means soul. or divine sparkThe soul, the part of Waheguru (the Sikh word for God) in each person.. This means that they believe all humans should be treated respectfully and that they should not try to convert other people to Sikhism. This belief is called egalitarianUpholding equality for all people..
Guru NanakGuru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus, who lived from 1469 to 1539., the founder of Sikhism, was brought up in the Hindu faith. He lived in a place influenced by both Hinduism and Islam and had many friends from both faiths. As an adult, he had a religious experience. He disappeared for three days while washing at the river Bain. God revealed himself to Nanak, and it is said by many Sikhs that he proclaimed, God is neither Hindu nor Muslim and the path I follow is God鈥檚. From this point, he rejected his Hindu traditions and led a life practising equality.
One Hindu tradition is the belief in the casteThe anglicised term for varna; originally a Hindu social order of higher and lower class. Also followed by some Sikhs. system. This is the belief that every individual is born into a hierarchicalA system of organising people or things in terms of a perceived importance, eg from king to beggar would represent a social hierarchy. group that is determined by their family鈥檚 work. The higher castes contain individuals whose jobs require intelligence, such as teachers, priests and doctors. The lower castes perform the more manual work, such as farming. These castes are for life. Hindus often live among communities of the same caste and do not often mix with other castes. This was a concept that Guru Nanak rejected. He taught that everyone is equal and that there should not be a caste system.
Sikhs therefore believe that all faiths are inclusive and must be treated with respect and equality. Sikhs believe that all paths lead to the one true God.
Sikhism teaches that:
- All creatures were created by God鈥檚 Hukam The order or command of God, referred to as Waheguru..
- All creatures must be treated with respect and dignity.
- Humans are different from all other species. This is because humans can make moral judgements and decide what is right and wrong. Sikhs believe they can do this because they have the divine spark within them, given to them by God.
- All humans are 鈥榦ne鈥 and of equal worth.
- There are many different paths to God. These are seen in the form of different religions, such as Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.
- Every individual can find their way to God through any religion or path they choose.
Guru Ram Das taught that:
There is only one breath; all are made of the same clay; the light within all is the same. The One Light pervades all the many and various beings.
The langarThe kitchen and place where food is eaten in a Sikh Gurdwara. Often volunteers provide and cook food that is served to all as an act of sewa (charity). was introduced by Guru NanakGuru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus, who lived from 1469 to 1539., who was the founder of Sikhism and the first Guru, because of his belief in the oneness of humanityThe Sikh belief that all humans are equal because Waheguru created everyone equally.. He offered free meals to everyone, regardless of their casteThe anglicised term for varna; originally a Hindu social order of higher and lower class. Also followed by some Sikhs., gender or wealth. It was a place where everyone gathered and ate together. The langar is also the free food that is served in the kitchen. Many Sikhs serve langar to people outside the gurdwaraSikh place of worship. Literally, the 'doorway to the Guru'..
When Guru Amar DasGuru Amar Das was the third of the ten Sikh Gurus, who lived from 1479 to 1574. was the Sikh leader, those who came to consult him about religious matters were always treated to a meal before the talks began. At these meals, which everyone helped to prepare and serve, all people were given exactly the same food and treated the same - emperors and servants alike. Sikhs have never forgotten this example. This free kitchen is still present today in every gurdwara.
Key features of the langar and why it is important
- The langar is run by volunteers, who can be male or female.
- It is seen as a privilege to help with the running of the langar. People help by cooking, cleaning or serving in the langar.
- There is usually a waiting list of people who want to provide the langar each week. This is because they want to serve God, and by helping others they feel they are doing this.
- It reminds Sikhs that all people belong to the same human family and therefore should be treated equally.
- All the food is free, and it is offered to anyone who visits the gurdwara, regardless of their faith.
- The langar serves only vegetarian food in order to make it inclusive of all faiths. Different faiths have different food laws for example, Muslims are only able to eat halal meat and cannot eat pork.