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View Next PageDevelopment of the Rehit Maryada During the First Two Centuries of Sikh Dharma
The Sikh Rehit Maryada (the Code of Conduct) developed through the practices and examples of Guru Nanak and the nine successive incarnations of the Guru, culminating in the ultimate form of Khalsa in 1699, during the life of Guru Gobind Singh.
Guru Nanak was the first Sikh Guru, and so it was during his lifetime in particular that the Dharma took its primary shape. The main requirements for the Sikh established during his lifetime, were:
- Belief in One God and the Oneness of His Creation.
- Daily meditation upon the Naam, the Name of God.
- Leading the life of a householder, rather than that of a Sadhu or an ascetic or wandering renunciate.
- Dismissal of all rites and rituals of existing religious traditions, and the disregard of superstitions and magical beliefs.
- Abolition of the caste system.
- Equality of all people, specifically the equality of women and men.
- Recognition that knowledge and worship of God are open to all.
- Working at righteous labors to sustain oneself.
- Sharing with others, as well as those in need.
- Ultimate reliance upon the Shabad as Guru, and the Word, or Name of God as the means to attain Union with the One Creator.
- Belief in the continuity of the consciousness of the Guru as it passed from Guru Nanak through Guru Gobind Singh, and to the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, where it resides for all time.
When Guru Nanak was about to pass on to his Celestial Home, he invested his Spiritual Light into Guru Angad, then Guru Amar Das embodied this Light, followed by Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjun, Guru Hargobind, Guru Har Rai, Guru Har Krishan, Guru Teg Bahadur, Guru Gobind Singh, and finally the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. During their lives, the concepts established by the first Guru Nanak were strengthened and built upon, while additional ones were added.
Guru Angad developed the Gurmukhi script, to record the Words of Guru Nanak. By this action, he made it possible for the masses of people to understand the Guru’s Teachings, for up until that time, the language of religion was primarily Sanskrit, and by law, it could only be used and studied by the upper caste Brahmins.
Guru Amar Das appealed to the Sikhs to live a family life, which he called "Grihst-meh-udaas", renunciation in the midst of family life. Guru Ram Das enjoined all Sikhs to rise in the early hours before dawn, to take a cold bath, meditate upon God’s Name, and sing His Praises.
Guru Arjun provided the example for the concept of non-violent sacrifice as a means for achieving social justice when he gave his life, rather than give in to an unjust tax being levied against the people. Guru Arjun also institutionalized the system of Das Vandh, giving one"tenth of one's income to the Guru's Treasury, which had begun informally at the time of Guru Nanak. Guru Arjun compiled the writings of the Gurus before him, included the Hymns of certain Muslim and Hindu Saints, and thus brought Sikh Dharma to the status of a religion with its own Holy Scripture from which Sikhs could derive knowledge and guidance. The Adi Granth, as it was called at that time, became the sacred book of the new faith and created an awareness among the Sikhs that they were a separate and distinct spiritual community.
Guru Hargobind was the first Guru to set the example of the necessity for the Sikhs to be prepared to defend the weak and oppressed against unrighteousness. He wore two swords, representing "miri/piri" spiritual and temporal authority. His statement was that he was a saint/soldier. He instituted the practice of congregational prayers, which increased the religious fervor of the Sangat and strengthened the spirit of cooperation and unity. In front of the Harimandir Sahib, the Golden Temple, in Amritsar, Guru Hargobind constructed the Akaal Takht (the Throne of the Undying One). The Harimandir was the seat of spiritual authority, and the Akaal Takht the seat of temporal authority. The Guru created a community having its own government and security, with the Spirit of God protected by the Power of the Sword.
Guru Teg Bahadur went beyond toleration of other religions; he gave his life in sacrifice, so that the Hindus of that time could freely practice their religion.
