Sikh Religion- Democratic Ideals and Institutions

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About the Book It is a first serious and academic attempt to study the democratic ideals and institutions of the Sikh Religion.

The Sikh Gurus expounded a religion based primarily on democratic concepts and institutions. The essence of the teachings of the Gurus was the unity of God and the brotherhood of man. We find in them an unbroken thread of the ideals of selfless service, love for mankind, humility, equality, fraternity and honest Endeavour. The quality of men is their sheet-anchor. To give a practical shape to these ideals, the Gurus established and developed the institutions of Sangat and Pangat. The process of development of these institutions continued gradually until Guru Hargobind brought about a transformation by giving a militant turn to the movement. The most dramatic development was Guru Gobind Singh's creation of the Khalsa brotherhood through a novel system of baptism. Another feature of this transformation was the bridging of the gulf between the Guru and the disciple. What impressed the masses was not only the Guru's complete identification with the common man but also his condescending to kneel down. before his disciples to receive baptism from them-a unique and unheard of incident in the history of mankind.

The author convincingly establishes the democratic character of the ideals and institutions of Sikhism. He substantiates his points by quoting profusely from the Sikh scriptures and the life accounts of the Gurus.

About the Author Sudarshan Singh (DOB 13-05-1931) did M.A., Ph.D. and taught History in various Government Colleges/Universities of the state for more than 24 years. He retired as Professor/Director of I.A.S. Training Centre, Punjabi University, Patiala. He has devoted himself to the systematic study of the philosophy of life and history of various religious systems, especially the Sikh religion. Besides more than dozen research papers published in reputed journals, he has some scholarly works to his credit including Life-Style of the People of Punjab and Punjab da Itihas (1849-1947).

Foreword We can easily trace the democratic idea in the Sikh Church from its very inception. Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith, was the first to apply this idea by selecting Bhai Lehna (Guru Angad) as his successor in preference to his own sons, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das. Guru Angad repeated the application of the same principle by conferring Guruship on the septagenarian Amar Das ji who was found to be the most suitable person to look after the community. The same pattern of selection was adopted in the case of Guru Ram Das who was a poor orphan from Lahore. Even when the Guruship remained in the family of the fourth Guru, the search for merit and suitability was not discontinued.

Under Guru Gobind Singh, the Guruship was brought to the level of his followers. Guru Gobind Singh provided a unique example at the initiation ceremony in which the supreme head of the religious organisation voluntarily surrendered his authority and privileges to the disciples and he adopted the unusual procedure of being baptised by the same disciples who a short while ago, were baptised by him. He solemnly undertook to abide by the same discipline that they had been enjoined to follow. This was undoubtedly a revolutionary and a democratic step which the Guru took.

In his book under review, Dr. Sudarshan Singh has convincingly established the democratic character of the ideals and institutions of Sikhism.

Preface The book Sikh Religion: Democratic Ideals and Institutions T attempts a subject which has not so far been dealt with in a seriously academic fashion. Some aspects of it may have been covered in some stray articles, but the present one is the first sustained study of a theme which would strike to any student of Sikh religion and history as obviously significant. The inspiration to cover this unchartered ground came from my revered teacher, Dr. Hari Ram Gupta, an eminent historian.

The Sikh Gurus expounded a religion based primarily on democratic concepts and institutions. The essence of the teachings of the Gurus was the unity of God and the brotherhood of man. We find in them an unbroken thread of the ideals of selfless service, love for mankind, humility, equality, fraternity and honest Endeavour. The quality of men is their sheet-anchor. To give a practical shape to these ideals, the Gurus established and developed the institutions of Sangat and Pangat. The process of development of these institutions continued gradually until Guru Hargobind brought about a transformation by giving a militant turn to the movement. The most dramatic development was Guru Gobind Singh's creation of the Khalsa brotherhood through a novel system of baptism. Another feature of this transformation was the bridging of the gulf between the Guru and the disciple.

Introduction Definition and Scope of Democracy

The concept of democracy has undergone a tremendous Change through the ages. According to Seligman, no definition of democracy can adequately sum up the vast history which the concept connotes. To some it is a form of government; to others it is a way of life. Men have found its essence in the character of the electorate, in the relation between a government and its people, in the absence of wide economic differences among the members of different sections of society, in the refusal to recognize privileges based on color, caste and creed. Consequently, it has changed its substance in terms of time and space.

Democracy is the political expression of the ethical principles which maintain that the true end of man is freedom within the framework of his responsibilities and duties towards the State. This is in conformity with Immanuel Kant's celebrated moral principle, "So act as to treat humanity, whether in thane own person or in that of another, in every case as an end, never only as a means."

**Contents and Sample Pages**