Abstract
This article highlights surprising parallels and intersections between Sikhism and the author’s own LDS Christian background. Three aspects of Sikh practice particularly worthy of “holy envy” include the devotion shown in the distinctive Sikh symbols of the Khalsa, the Sikh commitment to seva (service) including the practice of sharing langar (a community meal), and most particularly the Sikh appreciation of and loyalty to their holy scripture. The chapter centers on how the importance of Sikh scripture is embodied in the work and worship of the pilgrims at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The author affirms that the effort to approach Sikh scripture seriously and with holy envy, can open bridges of understanding and provide resources to enhance one’s own devotional and academic reading of scripture.
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- 1.
For more on comparative studies of Sikhism and Mormonism see Taunalyn Rutherford “Studying Sikhs and Meeting Mormons: A Comparative Study of Women in Two of the Newest World Religions” Sikh Formations: Religion, Culture, Theory (Taylor and Francis Online, 24 November 2016).
- 2.
Amritsar is the religious capitol of the Sikhs and the Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple is its spiritual and cultural center. Most Sikhs desire to make a pilgrimage to the Golden Temple and many have a photograph of it in their homes. See Owen Cole, Understanding Sikhism (Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press, 2004), 3–4. I find an interesting parallel between Amritsar and Salt Lake City which is the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons from many parts of the world will travel to Utah to visit the Salt Lake Temple, which is also an iconic symbol of the church and an informal type of pilgrimage for many LDS.
- 3.
Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, Sikhism : An Introduction (New York: I.B. Tauris, 2011), 48.
- 4.
It is generally considered acceptable for non-Sikhs to wear a kara. Wearing a kara also reminds me of a practice in LDS Christianity of wearing a “CTR” ring. LDS children are sometimes given a small inexpensive ring with the letters CTR on a small green shield, which stands for “choose the right.” Ideally, when faced with a decision between right and wrong, children are taught to consider what Jesus would do and then the letters on the ring will help them remember to choose the right. More expensive CTR rings are produced and sold by independent vendors and worn by many LDS as teens and adults.
- 5.
I also see a parallel between amritdhari Sikhs and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have been endowed (initiated in temple rituals and covenants) and who adhere to certain standards, including wearing a symbolic temple garment under their clothing as a reminder of their promises made in the temple.
- 6.
See Antonia Blumberg, “Sikhs Serve Thousands Free Lunch at Utah Conference to Demonstrate Equality,” in The Huffington Post, Oct. 17, 2015. Accessed 19 October 2017. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sikh-langar-parliament-of-world-religions_us_5622c61be4b02f6a900c9e68
- 7.
Ibid.
- 8.
Diana L. Eck, “In Sikhs’ View, There Is No Stranger.” Dallas Morning News. August, 9, 2012.
- 9.
Hindu Bhaktas and Muslim Sufis share an appreciation for religious devotion as well as striving for mystical consciousness . Prior to the beginnings of Sikhism elements from both of these traditions were practiced by sants who sought to overcome the divisions in Hinduism and Islam. See Michael Molloy, Experiencing the World’s Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change, Sixth Edition (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2013), 193.
- 10.
Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, “The Guru Granth Sahib” in Sikhism in Global Context, p. 40.
- 11.
Townsend, Charles M. “The Darbar Sahib” in The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies eds. Pashaura Singh and Louis E. Fenech (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014), 430.
- 12.
Townsend, “The Darbar Sahib,” 430.
- 13.
Townsend, “Gurbani Kirtan and the Performance of Sikh Identity in California” in Sikhism in Global Context (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2012), p. 215.
- 14.
The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 1 Nephi 19:7.
- 15.
Charles M. Townsend, “Gurbani Kirtan and the Performance of Sikh Identity in California” in Sikhism in Global Context, p. 209.
- 16.
See “Introduction” in The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies eds. Pashaura Singh and Louis E. Fenech. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014), 2. Otherwise, definitions in this paper are drawn mainly from Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, Sikhism: An Introduction see “Glossary of Names and Terms,” 235–239.
- 17.
Michael Nijhawan, Dhadi Darbar: Religion, Violence, and the Performance of Sikh History (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2006), 44.
- 18.
Townsend, “Gurbani Kirtan,” 211.
- 19.
Townsend, “Gurbani Kirtan,” 215.
- 20.
Townsend, “Gurbani Kirtan,” 222.
- 21.
Townsend, “The Darbar Sahib,” 438.
- 22.
William Black, oral history, interview by Taunalyn Rutherford, April 25, 2014, Amritsar, India, notes in possession of author.
- 23.
Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh “The Guru Granth Sahib: A Global Reservoir” in Sikhism in Global Context, edited by Pashura Singh (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2011), 41.
- 24.
Ibid.
Bibliography
Blumberg, Antonia. 2015. Sikhs Serve Thousands Free Lunch at Utah Conference to Demonstrate Equality. The Huffington Post, October 17. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sikh-langar-parliament-of-world-religions_us_5622c61be4b02f6a900c9e68. Accessed 19 Oct 2017.
Cole, Owen. 2004. Understanding Sikhism. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press.
Eck, Diana L. 2012. In Sikhs’ View, There Is No Stranger. Dallas Morning News, August 9.
Molloy, Michael. 2013. Experiencing the World’s Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Nijhawan, Michael. 2006. Dhadi Darbar: Religion, Violence, and the Performance of Sikh History. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Rutherford, Taunalyn. 2016. Studying Sikhs and Meeting Mormons: A Comparative Study of Women in Two of the Newest World Religions. In Sikh Formations: Religion, Culture, Theory. Taylor and Francis Online, November 24.
Singh, Nikky-Guninder Kaur. 2011. Sikhism: An Introduction. New York: I.B. Tauris.
———. 2012. The Guru Granth Sahib: A Global Reservoir. In Sikhism in Global Context, ed. Pashura Singh. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Townsend, Charles M. 2012. Gurbani Kirtan and the Performance of Sikh Identity in California. In Sikhism in Global Context. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
———. 2014. The Darbar Sahib. In The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies, ed. Pashaura Singh and Louis E. Fenech. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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Rutherford, T.F. (2018). A Mormon Pilgrimage to Sikh Sacred Practice, Text, and Temple. In: Gustafson, H. (eds) Learning from Other Religious Traditions. Pathways for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76108-4_10
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