Hinduism and Sikhism

Hinduism and Sikhism are Indian religions. Hinduism has pre-historic origins,[1] while Sikhism was founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak.[2][3] Both religions share many philosophical concepts such as Karma, Dharma, Mukti, Maya[4][5] although both religions have different interpretation of some of these concepts.[6][7] In the days of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh community came to the defence of the persecuted Hindus and other non-Muslims who were being forcibly converted to Islam.[8][9][10] These forced conversions were completely against the teachings of Islam.[11]

Historical Links

The roots of the Sikh tradition are, states Louis Fenech, perhaps in the Sant-tradition of India whose ideology grew to become the Sikh religion. Fenech states, "Indic mythology permeates the Sikh sacred canon, the Guru Granth Sahib and the secondary canon, the Dasam Granth and adds delicate nuance and substance to the sacred symbolic universe of the Sikhs of today and of their past ancestors".[12] However, most historians do not see evidence of Sikhism as simply an extension of the Bhakti movement.[13][14]

Guru Tegh Bahadur

During the Mughal Empire period, the Sikh and Hindu traditions believe that Sikhs helped protect Hindus from Islamic persecution, and this caused martyrdom of their Guru.[15] The Sikh historians, for example, record that the Sikh movement was rapidly growing in northwest India, and Guru Tegh Bahadur was openly encouraging Sikhs to, "be fearless in their pursuit of just society: he who holds none in fear, nor is afraid of anyone, is acknowledged as a man of true wisdom", a statement recorded in Adi Granth 1427.[16][17][18] While Guru Tegh Bahadur influence was rising, Aurangzeb had imposed Islamic laws, demolished Hindu schools and temples, and enforced new taxes on non-Muslims.[17][19][20]

According to records written by his son Guru Gobind Singh, the Guru had resisted persecution, adopted and promised to protect Kashmiri Hindus.[16][18] The Guru was summoned to Delhi by Aurangzeb on a pretext, but when he arrived with his colleagues, he was offered, "to abandon his faith, and convert to Islam".[16][18] Guru Tegh Bahadur and his colleagues refused, he and his associates were arrested, tortured for many weeks.[18][21][22] The Guru himself was beheaded in public.[17][23][24]

Differences

Concept of God

Oneness of God is at the core of Hinduism although it has some pantheistic and henotheistic tendencies.[25]

Description of God in Sikhism is monotheistic and rejects the concept of divine incarnation as present in Hinduism.[25][26]

Iconography

Ik Onkar, iconically represented as ੴ in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (although sometimes spelt out in full as ਓਅੰਕਾਰ) is the iconographic statement in Sikhism that is 'there is one God'.[27][28] The phrase is an expression of monotheistic unity of God.[29]

Some people claim that Onkar in (ੴ) Sikhism is related to Om (ॐ) of Hinduism.[29] Most Sikhs disagree that Ik Onkar is same as Om.[29]

Idol worship

Sikhism prohibits idol worship,[30][31] in accordance with mainstream Khalsa norms and the teachings of the Sikh Gurus,[32] a position that has been accepted as orthodox.[33][34][35]

Hindus accept the worship facilitated with images or murtis (idols),[31] particularly in Agamic traditions, such as Vaishnavism and Shaivism.[36] Some scholars state it is incorrect to state that all Hindus worship idols and more correct to state that for some the idol is a means to focus their thoughts, for some idol is a manifestation of spirituality that is everywhere, and for some even a linga, a sunrise or a river or a flower serves the same purpose.[37][38]

Heaven and Hell

According to Hinduism, the atma is sent to a new reincarnation.[39] The souls are reborn into another being as per their karma.[40]

Sikhs believe that heaven and hell are both in this world where everyone reaps the fruit of karma.[39] They refer to good and evil stages of life respectively and can be lived now and here during our life on Earth.[41]

Pilgrimage

Hinduism considers pilgrimage as helpful for one's spiritual development.[42] According to Karel Werner's Popular Dictionary of Hinduism, "most Hindu places of pilgrimage are associated with legendary events from the lives of various gods. Almost any place can become a focus for pilgrimage, but in most cases they are sacred cities, rivers, lakes, and mountains."[43]

Sikhism does not recognize pilgrimage as a spiritual act i.e. worthy enough to deserve any spiritual reward.[42][44]

Shrādh

Hindus offer Shrādhs every year in memory of their ancestors. On the corresponding day, the descendants invite the Brahmin and feed them in memory of their parents and grandparents, in the belief that this will give some benefit to the soul of their dead ancestors.[45]

According to Sikhism, such food can provide benefit to the Brahmins, but the benefit can't reach the ancestors. All that can provide benefit to the deceased is his own good actions and service to the humanity. As per Sikh belief, it is much better to respect one's parents while alive than offering food to Brahmins after their death.[45]

Auspicious Days

In Hinduism, according to shastras, some moments, days and lunar dates are regarded as auspicious. On all these days special rituals are observed.[46] It is a common practice in Hinduism to perform or avoid activities like important religious ceremonies on the basis of the quality of a particular Muhurta. One or more Muhūrtas are recommended by the Vedic scriptures when performing rituals and other ceremonies.[47][48]

The Sikh Scripture, Guru Granth Sahib denounces belief in auspicious days.[46] Sikh Gurus rejected the idea that certain days are auspicious while some others are not.[49]

Fasting

Fasting is an important part of Hinduism and fasts are observed on many occasions.[50] Fasts are an important aspect of Hindu ritual life, and there are many different types. In some cases, fasting simply means abstaining from certain types of foods, such as grains. Devotees fast for a variety of reasons. Some fast to honor a particular deity, and others fast to obtain a specific end.[51]

Sikhism does not regard fasting as a spiritual act. Fasting as an austerity or as a mortification of the body by means of wilful hunger is discouraged in Sikhism. Sikhism encourages temperance and moderation in food i.e. neither starve nor over-eat.[50]

Caste System

There are four varnas (castes) within Hindu society.[52] Within these varnas, there are also many jati (caste groups). The first is the Brahmin (teacher or priest), the second is the Kshatriya (ruler or warrior), the third is the Vaishya (merchant or farmer) and the fourth is the Shudra (servant or labourer). People who are excluded from the four-fold varna system are thought of as untouchables, and are sometimes called Dalit.[53]

Guru Nanak preached against the caste system. Although Sikh Gurus criticised the hierarchy of the caste system, one does exist in Sikh community. Some Sikh families continue to check the caste of any prospective marriage partner for their children.[53]

Asceticism

Hinduism has exalted asceticism because of the belief that ascetics life the pure life of spiritual attainment.[54] Sannyasa is a form of asceticism, is marked by renunciation of material desires and prejudices, represented by a state of disinterest and detachment from material life, and has the purpose of spending one's life in peaceful, love-inspired, simple spiritual life.[55][56]

While Sikhism treats lust as a sin, it at the same time points out that man must share the moral responsibility by leading the life of a householder. According to Sikhism, being God-centred while being a householder is better than being an ascetic. According to Sikhism, ascetics are not on the right path.[54]

Menstruation

A menstruating women is deemed as purifying the body.[57]

Sikh scripture acknowledges menstrual bleeding as an essential and natural process. Sikh Gurus criticized those who stigmatize a blood-stained garment as polluted. Guru Nanak questioned the legitimacy and purpose of devaluing women on the basis of their reproductive energy.[58]

Animal Sacrifice

The rituals of animal sacrifices are mentioned in the Hindu scriptures[59] such as Vedas.[60] Some Puranas forbid animal sacrifice.[61]

Sikhism rejects the concept of sacrificing animals to appease God.[59] Guru Gobind Singh prohibited consumption of any meat obtained through religious sacrifice of animals (Kutha meat).[62] Some Nihangs and Hazoori Sikhs still do animal sacrifice.

Sutak and Patak

In Hinduism, Sutak is impurity associated with birth of a child and Patak is impurity associated with death of someone in the house.[63][64]

Guru Nanak condemned such notions of pollution/impurity.[63]

Similarities

Both Hindus and Sikh are cremated after death[65]
Both believe in karma[66] although Sikhism do not necessarily infer a metaphysical soteriology similar to Hinduism.[6][7]
Both Sikhs and Hindus revere the concept of a Guru.[67]

In the Hindu and Sikh traditions, there is a distinction between religion and culture, and ethical decisions are grounded in both religious beliefs and cultural values. Both Hindu and Sikh ethics are primarily duty based. Traditional teachings deal with the duties of individuals and families to maintain a lifestyle conducive to physical, mental and spiritual health. These traditions share a culture and world view that includes ideas of karma and rebirth, collective versus individual identity, and a strong emphasis on spiritual purity.[68]

The notion of dharma, karma, moksha are very important for both Hindus and Sikhs. Unlike the linear view of life, death, heaven or hell taken in Abrahamic religions, for Hindus and Sikhs believe in the concept of Saṃsāra, that is life, birth and death are repeated, for each soul, in a cycle until one reaches mukti or moksha.[69][70]

Culture and intermarriage

DNA tests and surveys done on Sikhs state that sixty three percent of the ancestors of Sikhs are Hindus and the rest Jains, Buddhists and Muslims.[71] Some groups view Sikhism as a tradition within Hinduism along with other Dharmic faiths (such as some Hindus referring to Sikhs as Keshdhari Hindus),[72] even though the Sikh faith is a distinct religion.[71] Historically, Sikhs were seen as the protectors of Hindus, among others, and were even considered by some right-wing Hindu political organizations like the RSS as the "sword arm" of Hinduism.[73][74] This status as protectors of Hindus was strong enough that Punjabi Hindus would sometimes raise their eldest son as a Sikh.[73]

Marriages between Sikhs and Hindus, particularly among Khatris,[71] are frequent.[71] Dogra states that there has always been inter-marriage between the Khatri Hindu and the Sikh Khatri communities.[75][76] William Owen Cole and Piara Singh Sambhi state that for Khatri Sikhs, intermarriage between Hindus and Sikhs of same community was preferable than other communities.[77]

Sikh scriptures are venerated by certain Hindu communities,[73] often by syncretic sects.

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