Course Code: BRS08

A Detailed Study of Sikh Religious Tradition

BD III, Semester 1, 4 Credit Hours, College Paper

Course Objectives:

1. To critically study the development of Sikhism in India over different periods of time and their contexts up to 1800 A.D.
2. To cultivate an informed understanding of Sikhism, particularly discerning the liberating resources in Sikhism over against oppressive forces in religion, culture, and society.

Note:

Students are expected to choose any one of the courses listed in RC 304.

Methodology:

• Historical, Sociological, Philosophic-Theological, and Religio-Phenomenological Approaches would be used as applicable.
• The different sections of the course would include critical reflections from the perspectives of women, Dalits, tribals, and the poor. Responses would also be made from Christian insights and concerns for interfaith relations.
• Students would be expected to visit Sikh gurudwaras and observe the performance of worship, rituals, etc. as well as the langar and celebration of festivals. Audio-visual aids could also be used particularly where practical exposure is difficult.
• Visits to homes of Sikhs and seeking their views on their beliefs and practices could also be done. A lecture or lectures by knowledgeable practicing Sikhs could also be arranged.
• Reflective, critical reports of all such exposures would have to be written by the students.
• Students would also be expected to study prescribed texts.
• Certain sections of the syllabus may be assigned to students for self-study and presentation.

Course Requirements:

• Final Examination: 60%
• Internal Assessment: 40%

Course Outline:

I. Primary Sources for the Study of Sikhism

• Adi Granth.
• The Janam Sakhis (Puratan; Miharban Janam Sakhi; Bala Janam Sakhi; Gyan Ratnavali (Bhai Mani Singh Janam Sakhi)).
• The Vars of Bhai Gurdas.
• Dasam Granth.

II. The Place of the Ten Gurus in The Sikh Religion in their respective political, socioeconomic, and religio-cultural contexts

• Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan, Guru Hargobind, Guru Har Rai, Guru Harkrishan, Guru Tegh Bahadur, Guru Gobind Singh.

III. The Sikh Scriptures

• The Compilation of the Guru Granth Sahib.
• Revelation in the Guru Granth Sahib.
• Subject-matter and Content.
• The place of the Guru Granth Sahib in worship.
• The Dasam Granth.

IV. Sources of Sikhism

• Sikhism in relation to Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, and other religions.

V. The Gurudwara and Sikh Worship

• The Significance of the Gurudwara.
• Worship in the Gurudwara.

VI. Sikh Religious Thought

• The Concept of God and the Mui Mantra.
• The Concept of ‘Sabad’.
• The Concept of Self or Haumai.
• The Concept of Divine Will or Hukam.
• The Concept of Divine Grace or Gur Prasad.
• The Concept of Liberation or Mokh.
• The Concept of Divine Name or Nam Simran.
• The Concept, Nature, and Role of the Guru.

VII. Daily Life, Ceremonies, and Festivals

• Implications of being a “Sikh”; the five Ks.
• Daily cleanliness, worship, and work.
• Dress.
• Sikh Ceremonies: Name-Giving, Sikh Initiation, Marriage, and Death.
• Sikh Festivals: Baisakhi, Diwali, Hola Mohalla, Guru Parbs.

VIII. Ethics

• The Principles of Kirt Karo (Work), Nam Japo (Worship), and Vand Cako (Charity).
• Haumai (self-reliance) and its Manifestations.
• The need for practicing virtues of Contentment, Patience, the Service of Others, and Humility.
• Sikh views on the Caste System.
• Sikhism and the use of Violence.
• Status of Women in Sikhism.

IX. Texts for Study:

• Papuji of Guru Nanak including the Mui Mantra (38 paudis or stanzas).
• Sukha/nani: A long poem in praise of the Divine Name composed by Guru Arjan.
• Kirtan Sohila: recited before going to bed.

X. Conclusion

• Discerning important features in Sikhism and its Impact on Indian Society.
• Christian Reflections on Sikhism.

Bibliography

Required Subject Reading

• Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Reprint. 4 vols. Text with Faridkotvala Tika, Patiala: Department of Languages, Government of the Punjab, 1970.
• Owen, Cole W. and Piara Singh Sambhi. The Sikhs: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. New Delhi; Vikas Publishing House, 1978.
• Duggal, K.S. The Sikh Gurus. New Delhi: 1980.
• Singh, Harbans. The Heritage of the Sikhs. 2nd ed. New Delhi: Manohar, 1994.
• Singh, Khushwant. History of the Sikhs Vol. I and II. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1986.
• Raj, Hormise Nirmal. Evolution of the Sikh Faith: The Historical Formation and Development of Sikhism Under the Gurus. New Delhi: Unity Book Service, 1987.
• Ray, Niharranjan. The Sikh Gurus and the Sikh Society: A Study in Social Analysis. Patiala: Punjabi University, 1970.

Required Perspectival Reading

• Ariarajah, Wesley S. The Bible and People of Other Faiths. Geneva: WCC, 1985.
• Balasuriya, T. Liberative Trends in Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Colombo: CRS, 1987.
• Kumari, Prasanna, ed. Feminist Theology: Perspectives and Praxis. Chennai: Gurukul, 1999.
• Kurian, C.T. Economic Reforms and the People. Delhi: 1996.
• Prabhakar, M.D., ed. Towards a Dalit Theology. Delhi: ISPCK, 1988.
• Thomas, M.M. Religion and Revolt of the Oppressed. Delhi: ISPCK, 1998.
• Weilenga, Bas. Towards an Eco-Just Society. Bangalore: CSA, 1999.

Supplementary Reading

• Adi Granth or the Holy Scripture of the Sikhs. Reprint. Translated from the original Gurmukhi by Ernest Trumpp. Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal, 1970.
• Ahluwalia, Jasbir Singh. Metaphysical Problems of Sikhism. Chandigarh, 1976.
• Banerjee, A.C. Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh. Allahabad, 1978.
• Barrier, N. Gerald. The Sikhs and Their Literature. New Delhi, 1970.
• Birdwood, Lord. The Akalis: Past and Present. New Delhi: Ashajanak Publications, 1974.
• Cook, H.C.B. The Sikh Wars 1845 -49. Delhi, 1975.
• Grewal, J. S. From Guru Nanak to Maharaja Ranjit Singh: Essays in Sikh History. Amritsar: Guru Nanak University, 1972.
• Jain, Nirmal Kumar. Sikh Religion and Philosophy. New Delhi, 1979.
• Joshi, L.M., ed. Sikhism. 2nd ed. Patiala: Punjabi University, 1980.
• Kathettu, Sabu Mathai. The Sikh Community and The Gospel: An Assessment of Christian Ministry in Punjab. Delhi: ISPCK, 2009.
• Kohli, Surindar Singh. A Critical Study of Adi Granth. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1976.
• McLeod, W.H. Guru Nanak and the Sikh Religion. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1969.
• Nayyar, Gurbachan Singh. Sikh Polity and Political Institutions. New Delhi, 1979.
• Sikhism and Indian Society. Transactions of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, 4. Simla: Indian Institute of Advanced Study, 1967.
• Singh, Attar. Secularism and the Sikh Faith. Amritsar, 1973.
• Singh, Avtar. Ethics of the Sikhs. Patiala: Publication Bureau, Punjabi University, 1983.
• Singh, Bhagat. Sikh Polity in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries. New Delhi, 1978.
• Singh, Daljeet. Sikhism. New Delhi, 1979.
• Singh, Dewan. Guru Nanak and the Indian Mystic Tradition. Ludhiana, 1981.
• Singh, Gopal. A History of the Sikh People (1469-1978). New Delhi, 1979.
• Singh, Harbajan. Gems of Thoughts from Guru Nanak Bani. Amritsar: S.G.P.C., 1971.
• Singh, Harbans, ed. Perspectives on Guru Nanak. Patiala: Punjabi University, 1975.
• Singh, Kharak, G.S. Mansukhani and Jasbir Singh, eds. Fundamental Issues in Sikh Studies. Chandigarh, 1993.
• Singh, Khushwant. History of the Sikhs Vol. I and II. New Delhi: Orient Longman’s Ltd., 1969.
• Singh, Pritam. Exploring Some Sikh Themes. Amritsar: Singh Brothers, 2006.
• Singh, Sher. Philosophy of Sikhism. Reprint. Amritsar: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, 1993.
• Uberoi, J.P.S. Religion, Civil Society and The State: A Study of Sikhism. Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1996.

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