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Role of Sikh Rehit Maryada in Shaping the Community


Role of the Rehit Maryada in Shaping the Community
As a result of the living presence and guidance of the Gurus over a span of ten generations, the Sikh community developed its unique character, as described above. However, history and events of the time which tested the character of the Sikhs also played a great part in shaping the Khalsa, the ultimate form of the Sikh.

In order to uphold the ideals and concepts of Sikh Dharma, it became necessary for Guru Hargobind to raise his voice against the oppression and tyranny of the Mughal rulers of his time, who were demolishing Hindu temples and Sikh Gurdwaras, and forcibly attempting to convert the population of India to Islam. He prepared his Sikhs as warriors, maintaining his own cavalry. The seventh Guru, Guru Har Rai, also maintained a large personal bodyguard of armed soldiers. The ninth Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur, prepared his son in all of the military arts, and Guru Gobind Singh set out to transform the history of the Panjab and of all India.

Through their training in the military arts, through devotion, sacrifice and selflessness, the Guru’s Sikhs became a most powerful fighting force, manifesting miraculous changes in the religious, military and political life of the Panjab. The Gurus managed to regenerate a decaying people and to create a new nation, based upon justice, freedom of conscience, liberty, equality and fraternity. Women were encouraged to work side by side with men, for the Gurus encouraged equality of the sexes as well, and the strength of the nation was doubled, adding sweetness to daily life.

The Code of Conduct which created men and women of such noble character created a community united in the ideals of Seva (selfless service) and Simran (meditative remembrance of God), and a fighting force which stood to defend the persecuted humanity. Sikh history is filled with stories of battles against the Mughals who were exploiting the people through unjust taxation and usurpation of land, women and wealth. The concept of equality created a democratic base for the governing of the Sikh community. Free of the bondage of superstition, the Sikh was a fearless master of destiny and thus the Sikh people were greatly feared by others. They were persecuted and tortured during the time of the Emperor Aurangzeb and for seventy years after his death. The declaration of the sovereignty of the Guru and his Sikhs, and their open warfare against the tyranny of the ruling powers, gave added incentive to the practice of persecuting the Sikhs. Thus history records the tens of thousands of Sikhs who were martyred for their Dharma. Their absolute refusal to bow before man or accept any other religion again brought martyrdom and sacrifice to the forefront of the annals of Sikh history.

The adventurous spirit of the Sikhs, combined with the continuing persecution and prejudice against them, led many of them to emigrate to countries all around the world, where, as a first duty, they constructed Gurdwaras, and thus spread the Teachings of the Gurus throughout the four corners of the Earth.

The sense of individuality, independence, and the awareness of the power of God and Guru behind them, make the Sikhs dauntless crusaders for their own faith and traditions, as well as for the faiths, practices and traditions of others.

Sikhs do not look to convert others to their religion, but in the spirit of spreading the Word, there are Sikh musicians and preachers who travel throughout the world, teaching the Sikh congregations wherever they go, inspiring the members of the Sangats to live to the Rehit.

Throughout the West, thousands have embraced Sikh Dharma through the inspiration of Siri Singh Sahib, Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, the Chief Administrative and Religious Authority of Sikh Dharma for the Western Hemisphere as designated by the S.G.P.C. The history of transformation of the individual psychology of the Sikhs throughout India has been repeated in the lives of these Westerners. Adopting the dress and lifestyle of Khalsa, these Westerners have chosen to belong to a brotherhood and sisterhood of those who have dedicated their lives to serving God and humanity. They have established many independent businesses and are building an independent economic base for supporting their communities throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and across the entire world. They are shaping a new page in Sikh history as they work to integrate the ideals of purity and piety into the mainstream of society. Some of the ways they work are: through their efforts in drug rehabilitation, free kitchens which serve the local communities, businesses which are based upon an awareness of the common good of all. These include vegetarian restaurants and stores, publishing and distributing magazines, books and music which spread Sikh Dharma, development of Khalsa schools for young children, establishing a network of lawyers and doctors, psychologists, chiropractors and other healers who work towards developing hospitals to serve the entire community.

The Sikh Rehit Maryada is the core of Sikh Dharma. It is the Code of Conduct of the Dharma. Sikh Rehit Maryada has shaped all of Sikh history and is today continuing to shape the history of a Dharma which is young and just beginning to make its impact upon the world.


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