What does Sikhism teach about war and peace?
The guiding principles for Sikhs are based on the insights of the GuruCan mean God, teacher or guide. Usually means a teacher of religion. In Sikhism, it also refers to the ten human messengers of God.. Guru NanakGuru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus, who lived from 1469 to 1539. condemned injusticeA lack of justice. This may include denying human rights, unfair distribution of wealth or discrimination.. He was prepared to defend those who suffered from injustice.
He described the suffering inflicted on local people by the invading forces of the Mughal Emperor, Emperor BaburThe first Mughal ruler of North India.. According to Sikh tradition Guru Nanak was imprisoned by Babur who visited him in prison and not only released him but also other prisoners, at the Guru's request.
Examples from the Gurus
Guru ArjanGuru Arjan was the fifth Sikh Guru. He was born in 1563 and was executed in 1606 on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, and was the first Guru to be martyred. , the fifth Guru, became the first Sikh martyrSomeone who suffers death and persecution for their beliefs.. He compiled all of the past Gurus' writings into one book - the holy scripture now known as the Guru Granth Sahib. He was made a martyr as a result of his work in creating the Guru Granth Sahib, in which he also included some compositions of the Muslim and Hindu saints.
The Emperor Jahangir ordered him to remove all Islamic and Hindu references from the Guru Granth Sahib. When he refused, the Emperor feared that this was a challenge to his authority and had him executed in 1606.
Guru HargobindGuru Hargobind was the sixth Sikh Guru who lived from 1595 to 1644. He became Guru at the age of eleven after the execution of his father, Guru Arjan. Guru Hargobind founded the Sikh military tradition., the sixth Guru, wore two swords, welcomed gifts of war-horses and weapons and ordered the Sikhs to be prepared for battle. He was arrested by the Emperor and was later released, an event which Sikhs celebrate on Bandi Chhor Divas (liberation of prisoners day) on the same date as the Hindu festival of DivaliA Hindu festival of light. Sikhs celebrate too, increasingly calling the day Bandhi Chhor Divas..
Guru Tegh BahadurGuru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Sikh Guru and was born in 1621. In 1675 he was executed on the orders of the Mughal emperor. Guru Tegh Bahadur wrote a number of hymns which are included in the Guru Granth Sahib., the ninth Guru, was martyredKilled for their faith. in 1675. Historical sources offer differing reasons for the Emperor's decision to have him put to death. According to Sikh tradition he offered his life to save Hindus of priestly casteThe anglicised term for varna; originally a Hindu social order of higher and lower class. Also followed by some Sikhs. in Kashmir who had been asked to convert to Islam on pain of death.
A Sikh religious text, the Dasam GranthThe Dasam Granth is a collection of various manuscripts, including compositions by Guru Gobind Singh., says that his sacrifice was for two principles:
- the right to worship
- the right to have your views about the ultimate nature of the world and life respected
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., the tenth Guru, founded the KhalsaThe Sikh community, literally 'the community of the pure'. Refers particularly to initiated Sikhs. in 1699. This was a self-governing community of equals whose rules set out to create 'sant-sipahis' or 'saint-soldiers'. Anyone could join this people's army provided they could commit to its spiritual discipline. Its uniform is the five KsFive articles which identify a Sikh who has been initiated into the Khalsa.:
- kirpanSword. One of the five Ks.
- keshUncut hair. Initiated Sikhs are forbidden to shorten, shave or remove their hair in any other way.
- karaSteel band worn on the right wrist. One of the Five Ks.
- kanghaA wooden comb worn in the hair, which is one of the Five Ks.
- kacchaBaggy cotton shorts worn by initiated Sikhs; one of the Five Ks.