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Summary of Question:	cast systems
Category:	Love & Marriage
Date Posted:	Friday, 6/02/2000 8:45 PM MDT

Wahe Guru Je Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Je Kee Futha

I wanted to know the whole deal behind cast systems. Why is it that the first question parents ask a sikh child when he/she is getting married is the cast of the person he/she is going to marry. I mean by having them ask a question like that aren't they going against the guru granth sahib? By them asking about cast aren't they going against the fact that sikhs aren't suppose to discriminate against others? Why does one even have to marry an Indian? God sent us all here as equals.....regardless of what religion we follow aren't we all aimming to go to the same place? How can parents say believe in the guru granth sahib and discriminate against people in there very own religion? Are they not creating a sin by discriminating?

Sundeep

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Reply:
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Dear Sundeep,

The caste system was a social system established thousands of years ago by the Hindus to create order in the society.

The use of reference to Caste by Sikhs is not a religious observence. This is a social practice. You are right to say that it does not belong in our Sikh practices.

I would like to mention that the concept of sin is a Christian concept, not a Sikh concept. In the life of a Khalsa/Sikh, we must live to find liberation or God in our life now, not after this life when we are dead.

It is important to know that the Gurus' really did eliminate the caste references in the Sadh Sangat(Sikh community) by having us take the surname of "Singh"-lion, or "Kaur"-princess, when we have Amrit Sanchar(Baptism).

Yes, we do believe that God is within all creation. We do believe that we must respect other people's religious paths. The fact that we are so respectful to the many religions is very special about our way of life. However, that does not mean that it is a good idea to marry a person of another faith. That can make your life much more complicated than it needs to be.

Parents are naturally very concerned about the future and the well being of their children. It has always been a Sikh practice for the family to find a suitable marriage partner for their children. Having knowledge of the family and the religious practices and values of the possible marriage partner is relevant to your future happiness.

There is so much freedom to choose, in Western society. However, this freedom is not always a wonderful thing. In Western society there are few durable values that bring people lasting harmony and happiness.

It is good to have guidelines for life. It is good to have values and daily practices. It is good to have a "Rehit Maryada" a daily practice, to shape your life as a Sikh and give you understanding and depth. When you marry, it is good to have someone who can share and support you in your daily practice of your "Rehit". In this way you continue the legacy of your great Gurus'. You live and teach the same values of excellance that you practice to your own children.

Really understanding your faith and understanding your own spriritual practices can make you a very strong and intuitive person. Have you ever tried getting up in Amrit Vela, take a cold shower, and then recite Jap Ji Sahib, Jaap Sahib & Anand Sahib? Do you go to the Siri Guru Granth Sahib for guidence when you have a question or problem? The Guru is your best guide and teacher. That is why Guru Gobind Singh made the Siri Guru Granth Sahib the final Guru. Try reading the Guru in English. There is a Manmohan Singh edition of Siri Guru Granth Sahib with English and Punjabi translation so you can read your hukam in English and understand what Guru is saying to you.

You live in the West where you can practice your faith freely. So, be as great as you can be and become ten times better in your practice and understanding of our way of life. May God and Guru bless you to be victorious in this life as a Khalsa and a light of truth to this world and to your children.

P.S. Not all sikhs are Indians. Cheer up and keep believing that something great can happen for you.