Namdhari: Difference between revisions
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{{Unreferenced|date=February 2008}} |
{{Unreferenced|date=February 2008}} |
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[[Image:Namdhari.jpg|thumb| Jagjit Singh - Present Namdhari Leader]] |
[[Image:Namdhari.jpg|thumb| Jagjit Singh - Present Namdhari Leader]] |
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'''Namdhari''' (also known as Kukas) are a sect of [[Sikhism]]. The main difference between Namdhari Sikhs and mainstream Sikhs is their belief in |
'''Namdhari''' (also known as Kukas) are a sect of [[Sikhism]]. The main difference between Namdhari Sikhs and mainstream Sikhs is their belief in their living Guru, Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji, while respecting and following teachings of Sikh Gurus in Sri Adi Granth Sahib Ji (respectfully Guru of mainstream Sikhs being Sri [[Guru Granth Sahib]] Ji). Other differences include being: strict vegetarians; placing equal importance between the Sri Adi Granth Sahib Ji (Sri [[Guru Granth Sahib]] Ji) and Sri [[Dasam Granth]] Ji (the holy book written by the 10th Guru, Sri [[Guru Gobind Singh]] Ji). |
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Namdhari Sikhs are also very well known in the classical musical circles, producing stellar classical music artists like the Grammy award winning tabla player Sukhwinder Singh (Pinky) |
Namdhari Sikhs are also very well known in the classical musical circles, producing stellar classical music artists like the Grammy award winning tabla player Sukhwinder Singh (Pinky) |
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Namdharis are easily recognized by their practice of wearing white homespun clothing and by their method of tying the [[turban]] horizontally across the forehead. Around their necks they wear a white woolen cord ([[mala]]), woven as a series of 108 knots and serving as a [[rosary]]. |
Namdharis are easily recognized by their practice of wearing white homespun clothing and by their method of tying the [[turban]] horizontally across the forehead. Around their necks they wear a white woolen cord ([[mala]]), woven as a series of 108 knots and serving as a [[rosary]]. |
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== |
==Satgurus== |
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Namdhari Sikhs believe fully in all [[Sikh Gurus]] from Sri [[Guru Nanak]] Dev ji onwards and respect both Sri |
Namdhari Sikhs believe fully in all [[Sikh Gurus]] from Sri [[Guru Nanak]] Dev ji onwards and respect both Sri Adi Granth Sahib Ji and Sri [[Dasam Granth]] Ji equally. Namdharis believe, as per the scholar Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha's narration <ref>[http://www.namdhari.faithweb.com/narnatak.htm Sri Satguru Gobind Singh Ji's life after incident in Nander 1708 and living as Baba Ajapal Singh Ji]</ref>, that Sri [[Guru Gobind Singh]] Ji lived for 146 years (1666-1812) (as Baba Ajapal Singh Ji after 1708 onwards<ref>[http://www.namdhari.faithweb.com/narnatak.htm Nar Natak]</ref>), eventually bestowing the succession on Satguru [[Balak Singh]] Singh Ji <ref>[http://www.namdhari-world.com/new%20nw/SGBalaksingh.htm Satguru Balak Singh Ji]</ref> of Hazro in 1812. |
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After Satguru Balak Singh Ji, his successor, Satguru [[Ram Singh]] Ji (1816-1885)<ref>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ISFBJarYX7YC&pg=PA81&dq=namdhari#v=onepage&q=namdhari&f=false Students' Britannica India, Volumes 1-5 By Dale Hoiberg, Indu Ramchandani]</ref>, is revered in the Namdhari religion as arguably the most important Guru. His status in the Namdhari religion is similar to that of Guru [[Nanak]] Dev Ji's. Although britishers claimed that he was exiled in 1872, Namdhari Sikhs believes that he is still alive and will soon return to lead the Namdharis. |
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The 3rd Namdhari |
The 3rd Namdhari Satguru is Satguru Hari Singh Ji (1819-1906) who passed on the guruship to Satguru [[Partap Singh]] Singh Ji (1890-1959). |
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At present, Jagjit Singh is |
At present, Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji is Satguru of Namdharis, born in 1920 and attained "Guruship" in 1959. |
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==Beliefs== |
==Beliefs== |
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The Namdharis are strict vegetarians and vigorous protectors of animals. They attach equal importance to Sri [[Adi Granth]] Sahib and Sri [[Dasam Granth]] Sahib, and they include |
The Namdharis are strict vegetarians and vigorous protectors of animals. They attach equal importance to Sri [[Adi Granth]] Sahib and Sri [[Dasam Granth]] Sahib, and they include Sri [[Dasam Granth]] Sahib composition [[Chandi di Var]] in their daily [[Nitnem]] (daily prayers taken from Sikh scripture). |
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Namdharis follow the path of Guru [[Nanak]] Dev, which is the bedrock of Sikh philosophy i.e. ''[[Simran|Nam Simran]]'' (meditating on God's name), ''Kirat Karo'' (Earn thy living), ''Vand Chako'' (Share thy wealth). The fundamental core of Namdharis' religious life is ''Nam Simran'' and the word Namdhari literally translated means a "one who beholds God’s Name". |
Namdharis follow the path of Guru [[Nanak]] Dev, which is the bedrock of Sikh philosophy i.e. ''[[Simran|Nam Simran]]'' (meditating on God's name), ''Kirat Karo'' (Earn thy living), ''Vand Chako'' (Share thy wealth). The fundamental core of Namdharis' religious life is ''Nam Simran'' and the word Namdhari literally translated means a "one who beholds God’s Name". |
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==Restrictions== |
==Restrictions== |
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Aside from being vegetarians, the Namdharis are not allowed to drink tap water. Water must be drawn from the lake or captured from rain and from well. Some conservative Namdharis don't wear anything else except a white |
Aside from being vegetarians, the Namdharis are not allowed to drink tap water. Water must be drawn from the lake or captured from rain and from well. Some conservative Namdharis don't wear anything else except a white round shaped turban (for men) and white [[kurta]]s (trousers). |
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==Other information== |
==Other information== |
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There are currently Namdhari |
There are currently Namdhari Dharamshalas (the place used to teach about religion) in many areas of the world, especially countries in South East Asia such as Thailand. However, Namdharis also reside in the rest in the world including Canada, US and the United Kingdom. |
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==Symbols== |
==Symbols== |
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The Namdhari flag is white, which symbolizes their Tenets: Truth, Purity, Simplicity, Peace and Unity. It was hoisted by |
The Namdhari flag is white, which symbolizes their Tenets: Truth, Purity, Simplicity, Peace and Unity. It was hoisted by Satguru Ram Singh Ji on the eve of the Baisakhi Festival - 1st ''Baisakh Samat'' 1914 (April 12, 1857). However, the Nishaan as by the command of Guru Gobind singh Ji still remains as the prominent symbol in Sikh temples. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* http://www.beantpatshah.info |
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* http://namdhari.faithweb.com |
* http://namdhari.faithweb.com |
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* http://sikhradio.vze.com |
* http://sikhradio.vze.com |
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Revision as of 16:35, 31 January 2010
 |
Namdhari (also known as Kukas) are a sect of Sikhism. The main difference between Namdhari Sikhs and mainstream Sikhs is their belief in their living Guru, Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji, while respecting and following teachings of Sikh Gurus in Sri Adi Granth Sahib Ji (respectfully Guru of mainstream Sikhs being Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji). Other differences include being: strict vegetarians; placing equal importance between the Sri Adi Granth Sahib Ji (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) and Sri Dasam Granth Ji (the holy book written by the 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji).
Namdhari Sikhs are also very well known in the classical musical circles, producing stellar classical music artists like the Grammy award winning tabla player Sukhwinder Singh (Pinky)
Appearance
Namdharis are easily recognized by their practice of wearing white homespun clothing and by their method of tying the turban horizontally across the forehead. Around their necks they wear a white woolen cord (mala), woven as a series of 108 knots and serving as a rosary.
Satgurus
Namdhari Sikhs believe fully in all Sikh Gurus from Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji onwards and respect both Sri Adi Granth Sahib Ji and Sri Dasam Granth Ji equally. Namdharis believe, as per the scholar Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha's narration [1], that Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji lived for 146 years (1666-1812) (as Baba Ajapal Singh Ji after 1708 onwards[2]), eventually bestowing the succession on Satguru Balak Singh Singh Ji [3] of Hazro in 1812.
After Satguru Balak Singh Ji, his successor, Satguru Ram Singh Ji (1816-1885)[4], is revered in the Namdhari religion as arguably the most important Guru. His status in the Namdhari religion is similar to that of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's. Although britishers claimed that he was exiled in 1872, Namdhari Sikhs believes that he is still alive and will soon return to lead the Namdharis.
The 3rd Namdhari Satguru is Satguru Hari Singh Ji (1819-1906) who passed on the guruship to Satguru Partap Singh Singh Ji (1890-1959).
At present, Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji is Satguru of Namdharis, born in 1920 and attained "Guruship" in 1959.
Beliefs
The Namdharis are strict vegetarians and vigorous protectors of animals. They attach equal importance to Sri Adi Granth Sahib and Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, and they include Sri Dasam Granth Sahib composition Chandi di Var in their daily Nitnem (daily prayers taken from Sikh scripture).
Namdharis follow the path of Guru Nanak Dev, which is the bedrock of Sikh philosophy i.e. Nam Simran (meditating on God's name), Kirat Karo (Earn thy living), Vand Chako (Share thy wealth). The fundamental core of Namdharis' religious life is Nam Simran and the word Namdhari literally translated means a "one who beholds God’s Name".
The Namdharis lead a very simple, humble and unpretentious life. They don't practice dowry's in any form. Their marriage ceremonies are unostentatious and shorn of all pompousness, in which neither the bride nor the groom wear any jewellery, and no alcohol is served afterwards.
Restrictions
Aside from being vegetarians, the Namdharis are not allowed to drink tap water. Water must be drawn from the lake or captured from rain and from well. Some conservative Namdharis don't wear anything else except a white round shaped turban (for men) and white kurtas (trousers).
Other information
There are currently Namdhari Dharamshalas (the place used to teach about religion) in many areas of the world, especially countries in South East Asia such as Thailand. However, Namdharis also reside in the rest in the world including Canada, US and the United Kingdom.
Symbols
The Namdhari flag is white, which symbolizes their Tenets: Truth, Purity, Simplicity, Peace and Unity. It was hoisted by Satguru Ram Singh Ji on the eve of the Baisakhi Festival - 1st Baisakh Samat 1914 (April 12, 1857). However, the Nishaan as by the command of Guru Gobind singh Ji still remains as the prominent symbol in Sikh temples.