Several differences exist between Sikhism and Hinduism regarding their beliefs, symbols, rituals, myths, and gender roles. Sikhism and Hinduism are Indian religions, and both religions show various philosophical concepts. As such, Hinduism is an older religion, while Sikhism was founded in 15 Century by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Sikhism originates from the Bhakti Movement in the eighth century in South India (Khalsa, 2012). The Sikh traditionally wears five distinctive symbols as marks of their spiritual dedication. These symbols are as follows the Kesh, Kipran, Kara, Kangha, and Kachhera which play an important role in Sikhism.
The following are the differences between Sikhism and Hinduism in terms of beliefs, rituals, myths, symbols, and gender roles. Regarding the beliefs, Sikhism believes that there is only one God and that everyone is equal before God. They also believe that human beings devote their time in a cycle of birth, life, and rebirth (Khalsa, 2012). Consequently, Sikhs also believe that human beings do not understand God but can experience Him through his love, meditation, and worship. Also, the Sikhs believe in living an ethical life free of immoral acts and that every Sikh should get baptized in a ceremony by the Panchpyare at the Gurudwara Sahib. Lastly, they believe that all Sikhs must follow a code of conduct in their life that includes daily worship, love, and kindness.
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In comparison with Hinduism, it consists of a set of beliefs with rituals and traditions that should be adhered by a Hindu believer for one’s entire life. Hindus believe in many gods and goddesses through enlightenment that is moksha that can be achieved by the meditation practices such as yoga. They also believe in Brahman as one true God, whom they consider formless, all-inclusive, limitless and eternal (Khalsa, 2012). As such Hindus believe that the Vedas which contain scriptures of revelations acknowledged by the ancient saints and sage are the final authority and even if the universe is destroyed the Vedas will remain (Fisher & Rinehart, 2016). Consequently, Hindus also believe that the soul of an individual is neither created nor destroyed and that the actions of the soul in a body requires that it reaps the consequences of those actions in the next life that is the same soul but in a different body.
The Sikhs and the Hindus have various religious symbols. In Sikhs, the symbol of El Onkar means that God is one and it is a symbol of in the unity of God and is also found on all religious scriptures and places (Khalsa, 2012). While in Hinduism, the symbol of Aum is the main root in Mantra from which all creations issues forth and that is connected with Lord Ganesha. In Sikhs the symbol of Khanda which is a double-edged sword that is the Khanda that sits in the middle and a chakkar a circular weapon that surrounds the Khanda (Fisher & Rinehart, 2016). It also consists of double-edged swords known as the Kiprans. All these have symbolic meanings where the Khanda symbolizes the knowledge of God, and the Chakkar symbolizes the oneness of God and the Kiprans represent the dual duties of the Guru (Fisher & Rinehart, 2016). Consequently, in Hindu, the symbol of Swastika is considered to be sacred and it signifies luck and prosperity.
Both the Sikhs and the Hindus have different ways of performing rituals. For instance, the Sikhs perform rituals when naming a newborn. After the child is born, the family takes the baby to the Gurdwara where prayers are done for the newborn (Khalsa, 2012). Also, after the prayers, the Guru Granth Sahib at random and the first letter of the song is selected as the first letter of the child’s name. However, in Hindu after the birth of a newborn, the baby is taken for the first outside to a temple, for the first time the baby is given solid food, they also perform an ear piercing ceremony and gets the first haircut which occurs in the temple. In Sikhs, weddings take place in the presence of Guru, and the ceremony is completed by a Sikh male or female who has gone through the Amrit initiation (Fisher & Rinehart, 2016). Consequently, in a Hindu wedding, the bridegroom and the bride represent the goddess and gods. Their marriages usually have at their center the recitation of mantras by priests. Therefore, the couples take seven steps northward from a sacred household fire, turn, and also make offerings into the flames. The Sikhs and Hindus have various myths (Khalsa, 2012). The Sikhs are neither Arabs nor Muslims, and they do not believe in violence and is against wars in religion, terrorism, and proselytism. Sikhs are also gender-based and hold male and female equal. While the Hindus are violent are do not respect women in their society since they consider them as women evil, and they do not offer support to their women.
The Sikhs and Hindus have many areas of comparisons when it comes to gender roles. In Sikhs, the Guru had claimed that all women should be treated, differently, since she is the source of man’s physical existence and his entire life. The Guru also condemned all practices and restrictions which reduces a woman position to subordination (Khalsa, 2012). While in Hindus women are held in low esteem, and they were considered as a bad influence on men and a real burden on their spiritual journey. Consequently, in Sikhs, a man and woman are valued as complements to each other and are of equal companions in life and their roles are complementary and not competitive. In Sikhs, a married woman implements a useful role in maintaining sexual discipline and creates a healthy society. However, in Hindus women are required to worship their husbands as God even when he fails (Khalsa, 2012). Also, the husband was permitted to take action against a stumbling wife. Lastly, Sikhism encourages education young women and girls which help them adopt rational modes of thought and should use their faculties to the maximum advantage of society. On the other hand, Hindu women and young girls were denied access to education and marriage was considered her only career. Hindus women were condemned in permanent degradation and misery.
There is a relationship between Sikhism and the Bhakti Movement. The Guru Nanak started the Bhakti movement, and also Sikhism was started by Guru Nanak. As such, the Sikhs Guru adopted the ways of singing worshiping songs praising from the Bhakti (Lele, 1981). Consequently, Sikhs place importance on gender equality, good work ethics and as well as virtuous married life. Also, the Sikhs acknowledged that some aspects of the radicalized Bhakti were destined into its own set. However, the Bhakti was not able to make a clear break from their religious heritage, but the Sikh’s Guru was able to make a clean breakthrough and formed a new religion which has grown and also survived (Lele, 1981). Furthermore, the Sikhs, therefore, contemplated the work of Bhakti in Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the same to the writings of Guru’s and as such worthy of same respect and devotion.
The Sikhs traditionally wear five distinctive symbols as marks of their spiritual dedication. These symbols include the following, the Kesh, Kipran, Kara, Kangha, and the Kachhera (BBC, 2014). This symbol gives Sikhs an exceptional identity that signifies discipline and spirituality. The first symbol is the Kesh whereby, turbans cover the uncut hair, and this is important to the Sikh because it symbolizes holiness, strength and also a symbol of leadership (Fisher & Rinehart, 2016). It was important to keep hair uncut because it showed that one was willing to accept God’s gift as He envisioned it (BBC, 2014). Besides, it was a symbol of membership of a group. It was also crucial to the Sikhs since it meant adopting a simple way of life and showed that no pride in a person’s appearance.
The second one is Kipran which is a ceremonial sword that symbolizes the willingness to protect the weak and also defend against injustice and persecution (BBC, 2014). It is also a metaphor for God in the Sikhs. The Kipran demonstrates the character of Sikh warriors and is usually worn with a cloth shoulder strap known as the gatra (BBC, 2014). Thirdly, is Kara that consists of a steel bracelet that symbolizes strength and also integrity and it is essential to the Sikh because they believe that it gives them the power to overcome hardships even when they are under stress. It is a symbol that connects the Sikh to the Guru and a constant reminder that they should not do something that the Guru does not approve. The fourth one is the Kangha which is a small wooden comb that symbolizes cleanliness in the body and mind (Fisher & Rinehart, 2016). Therefore, it is significant since it means that the Sikhs look after their bodies that God created. As such, Sikhs know that they should also comb their minds with Guru’s wisdom (BBC, 2014). Lastly, the Kachhera, unique underwear symbolizes integrity, self-control, and even prohibition of adultery, and was a useful garment to the Sikh warriors which was suitable during a war when riding horse.
References
BBC. (2014). BBC - Religions - Sikhism: The Five Ks . Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/customs/fiveks.shtml
Fisher, M.P., & Rinehart, R. (2016). Living Religions (10th edition). Pearson.
Khalsa, S. (2012, August 8). Are Sikhs Hindus? 10 ways Sikhism differs from Hinduism . Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/ways-that-sikhism-differs-from-hinduism- 2992955
Lele, J. (1981). The Bhakti Movement in India: A Critical Introduction. Tradition and Modernity in Bhakti Movements, 1-15.
