Before I get to whether or not Sikhs should tie a rakhree on their arms, lets take a look at history and the significance of this custom. Like many customs in India the female is portrayed as being inferior to a man, the main significance of the rakhee is to symbolise that a brother should protect his sister, and thereby imply that sisters are helpless and not able to look after themselves, I'm sure if I was to put this to a female nowadays I would be told otherwise. Back in the old days things were a lot different to now, but I believe females now are more than able to look after themselves and in most cases look after their brothers too. It saddens me to see females subjugating themselves in these days of equality, and whats worse is they don't even know their doing it. Granted, Raksha Bandan is an old Hindu custom but even during the Mughal era they called upon the Sikhs to protect their sisters, even though it was they who wore the rakhree and pledged to protect their sisters.
Like many old customs that did not originally start off as being orientated around money, I fear this too has become commercialised and now only serves as a money spinner, in fact I would even go as far as to say it breeds greed, nowadays sisters expect money or gifts in return for tying the worthless piece of thread to her brothers arm. To those that say it signifies love, and love is priceless, I say love is not materialistic, well at least not real love. Those that truly love, are loved and need no external reference.
I have said may times before that no religion should become diluted, I have respect for other religions but am disappointed to see so called Sikh's celebrating customs that belong to other religions. Just because we live in a western society does not mean we have to lose our religion or take parts of other religions just to conform to societies expectations. Don't sit on the fence, make a choice and stick to it. If you call yourself a Sikh, then be a Sikh, if you call yourself a Christian, then be a Christian, if you call yourself a Muslim, then be a Muslim.
Back to the rakhee, if it's about protection then wouldn't it be more appropriate for a husband to have a rakreee tied on his arm as he is best placed to protect his wife and not her brother who probably doesn't even live anywhere close to his sister, and is it really feasible that a young boy can protect a sister that is 10 or 15 years older than he.
Raksha Bandan is not a Sikh custom but many Sikh's have celebrated this custom, some say it's harmless, others say they don't want to offend or disappoint their sisters, but wouldn't it be better to have this discussion with her and explain your reasons. Every Sikh woman was given equality and this should be promoted, every Sikh was freed from customs that instead of empowering them, sought to subjugate them.
Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it - www.sikh-the-truth.blogspot.com
Once again my focus is set on the quest for the truth...not the truth as perceived by certain individuals but my own informed interpretations which have been ascertained by my own endeavours to seek the true meanings and philosophies as written in the manuscripts by the Guru's.
I must concede that as someone who loves philosophy, I was pleasantly surprised at the sheer amount and depth of the philosophies available in the Guru Granth Sahib. This quest will undoubtedly take me the rest of my life and even then it will not be complete, no doubt this will become a valuable resource by then and someone will endeavour to continue this work.
My main aim was to discuss certain philosophies in detail, especially those relevant to NRI's (Non Resident Indians) and those who have been brought up in a western culture. It hasn't been easy for me to find an authoritative source, but I am beginning to seek out persons and publications that have unbiased views on Sikhism. I have had to deal with breaking down the barriers of my own mind that have been erected over the years of western education and conditioning. I've learned that the east places great importance on spirituality combined with philosophy whereas the west view these two subjects as two different matters and in my experience does not place a huge importance of philosophical thinking. See my blogs on philosophical thinking; Possible Reality and Constant State of Evolution.
You will only gain knowledge by seeking. The more you become enlightened the more your boundaries will crumble around you, leaving you free to venture further. Your perceptions will begin to change once you are on the path of enlightenment.
I am fascinated by the respect Sikhism has for other religions, and unlike some religions there is no evidence to suggest that Sikhs have ever forced anyone to convert to their religion, on the contrary, Sikhs have fought to defend the downtrodden and oppressed, as were the Hindus during the Mughal rule in India.
In India now there are many different customs, languages, faiths and religions and yet all seem to be living in harmony up to the motto of unity in diversity.
Having said all that, I must add that studying religion goes hand in hand with studying history and in doing so I have touched on other cultures and religions that pre-date Sikhism, so although this blog started with a view to focus on Sikhism, I have added my research of world religions especially the earlier ones. Furthermore, it is my understanding that astrology, numerology, occultism, witchcraft, paganism, all have a part to play in the grand scheme of things and whilst some are more acceptable than others, we should not ignore the origins of mans beliefs that pre date religion as we know it in the present time.
Monday, 11 August 2014
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