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The Khalsa - Birth of a Community To mark the 300th anniversary of modern Sikhism, Indarjit Singh goes in search of the Khalsa - the core community of committed, initiated Sikhs that was founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 and has had a decisive influence on Sikh ethics and identity. Join Indarjit Singh as he traces the dramatic story of the Khalsa's foundation and meets its modern-day members in three continents.
Lions and Princesses: when Guru Gobind Singh, the last living Guru of the Sikhs, created the Khalsa in 1699, they all became members of one family and took the same surnames, Singh (Lion) for men and Kaur (Princess) for women. To this day they wear five distinctive symbols of the faith. Neither Hindu Nor Muslim: the Khalsa's ideals of equality and social justice go back to the earlier Sikh Gurus - in particular Guru Nanak, who founded the faith in Punjab 500 years ago. But have his teachings on women and caste stood the test of time? Saint Soldiers: Guru Gobind Singh's Khalsa initiates were instructed to be sant sipahi, saint soldiers - meaning that they should devoutly follow the teachings of the ten Gurus, but at the same time be prepared to take up arms for the oppressed. This ethos has strongly influenced the Sikh armed struggle in the 20th century. Healthy, Happy… and Unorthodox? Sikhism was never a missionary faith, but thousands of Americans have taken on the Khalsa commitment - and supplemented it with new elements, such as yoga. Meanwhile Punjabi Sikh immigrants to the US and Britain are seeking ways to carry the faith forward in the West. |
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