It's a great thing to read to boys, even boys who've heard it before, when they're complaining because their xbox is broken and they don't have any new music on their ipods (as opposed to calling them selfish and berating them for their failure to understand how blessed they are-take a timeout and do that in private and then come out and try to be a parent who doesn't name call, right?).
In a surprising turn of events, both boys asked me "what's a Sikh?" Mortified that all I knew about Sikhs and their religion was that 1) they don't cut their hair; and, 2) they wear distinctive turbans; and 3) Sikhs and Hindus have a whole lotta fights. So we "searched it up," as my kids say. We came across a lot of information but here's what I thought was relevant to the topic of women and the fact that, in my opinion, justice towards women in their communities and around the world is our only path to peace.
We read a lot of history and we're talking 15-1600's here. Not repeating. My letters are already too long so you'll have to bust out and do some of your own research. There are gurus coming out the ears of every Sikh in the world and I can't imagine how they keep track. It's not like saying the "Hail Mary," I can tell you that. In any event, here's just a tiny excerpt that made all three of us catch each other with our mouths hanging open and one or the other of the boys clamoring to take over the reading out loud. Here's the first biggie:
Sikhism teaches that all of humanity was created by the same God, who has many names and many forms. Sikhism teaches equal respect for all other religions and that one should defend the rights of not just one's own religion, but the religion and faith of others, aa human right. At the end of every Sikh prayer is a supplication for the welfare of all of humanity.
Sikhism teaches the concept of a human Soul (Self (spirituality) or consciousness or spirit or astral body). Sikhs believe they can unite and become one with God in this life, as the consciousness merges with God through truthful living and actions. Sikhs always greet each other with "Sat Sri Akaal"which literally means "Truth is Immortal". Truth, Truthful living, Equality, Freedom and Justice are really the core principles of Sikh philosophy.
As soon as I know for sure that I'm saying it properly (sanskrit, though I revere it for so many reasons, is not a language I can speak, read or understand, though I look at the characters and feel my heart quicken, as I did when congregants in a temple or would chant from the ancient Torah in Hebrew, rocking back and forth, totally immersed), it may replace wishes of peace and even Namaste for me as what I say to others in greeting or as a farewell. We'll see.
Guru Nanak sought to improve the respect for women throughout all religions and as members of humanity, by spreading this message: "From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad? when she gives rise to nobility. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all. O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman." In so doing, he promoted women's rights and equality, a remarkable stance in the 15th century.
Seriously? Some guy was saying this in the 15th century and people listened? The "one God" Sikhs embrace is the only one without a woman by his side and NOT because to have a woman would taint his purity, but because he is making the ultimate sacrifice in giving up his best friend. Finally, someone admits the implausibility of the "Adam's rib" nonsense and tells it like it is-no women, no babies, and oh, by the way, no "you," Mr. Man. She's considered nothing less than nobility for her creative powers, so strong that she becomes a co-creator with God!
I'm not real keen on the reincarnation idea (maybe lapsed Catholic baggage), and the fighting with the Hindus may be just, but Indira Ghandi trusted her Sikh body guards and they assasinated her...not so much to love about that, no matter who the actors are...but there's not much else I can't accept and I'm making a literal statement when I say that both of my sons went to bed tonight announcing that they were Sikhs and would discuss the ramifications of their decisions with me in the morning. That's really how they talk. They read too much.
And why not wouldn't they decide this might be the gig for them? It's basically embodies everything I've tried to teach them about tolerance, respect for all and the willingness to stand up for anyone subjected to injsutice, not just "their own," as in God loves everyone, no exceptions.
I must admit/disclaimer, that I haven't researched this religion in any sort of depth. I like and believe in karmah and darmah much more easily than I've ever been able to accept "it's God's will." Oh, nonsense. God gave us free choice-darmah, but he's still present in the natural order of things-darma.
What do you think about what Guru Nanak, a very trusted and even revered Spiritual leader, saying what he did, even in the context of a religion that holds equality and justice at its core?
What do you think?
Sincerely Yours
Miniature Earth
If we could turn the population of the earth into a small community of 100 people, keeping the same proportions we have today, it would be something like this...
61 Asians
61 Asians
12 Europeans
08 North Americans
05 South America and the Caribbean
13 Africans
01 Oceania
50 women 50 men
47 live in an urban area
12 are disabled
33 are Christian (Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, Anglicans and other Christians)
21 are Muslims
13 are Hindus
06 are Buddhists
01 Sikh
01 Sikh
01 Jew
11 are non-religious
11 practice other religions
03 Atheists
43 live without basic sanitation 18 live without an improved water source
20 people own 75% of the entire world income
14 are hungry or malnourished
12 can't read
Only 12 have a computer
Only 8 have an internet connection
01 adult, aged 15-49, has HIV/AIDS
The village spends US$1.24 trillion on military expenditures UN and only US$ 100 billion on development aid
14 are hungry or malnourished
12 can't read
Only 12 have a computer
Only 8 have an internet connection
01 adult, aged 15-49, has HIV/AIDS
The village spends US$1.24 trillion on military expenditures UN and only US$ 100 billion on development aid
If you keep your food in a refrigerator And your clothes in a closet
If you have a roof over your head And have a bed to sleep in
You are richer than 75% of the entire world population
You are richer than 75% of the entire world population
21 people live on US$ 1.25 per day or less
Appreciate what you have And do your best for a better world
Visit the Miniature Earth site to see great videos and learn about the impact Donella Meadows made with her simple document, and what her Foundation continues to accomplish. I'm sorry to be sexist here, but at least I'm being honest about it-only a woman could have had this kind of a vision; to take the facts down to a level that a small child and the most cynical adult can't help but understand.
http://www.miniature-earth.com/#www.sustainer.org/dhm_archive/index.php?display_article=vn338villageed
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