Sexism and Sikhi

asked 2015-06-14 02:59:34 -0500

JustMe
77 ●16 ●20 ●26

updated 2015-06-20 15:07:31 -0500

gn
1382 ●14 ●20 ●36

Firstly I would like to put forth that in no way am I trying to insult Sikhism, I myself recognize myself as a Sikh. Being a Sikh has given me such a beautiful life in which I have faith in a power greater than anything. But something that really irks me is how in my mind I come across sexist things in Sikhi. Now maybe its all in my head and its my misinterpretation but I dont know, my hearts tears to think that this may be a possibility or that I may think so lowly of my Guru. But lately I've really been dwelling about some some things I've read in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Now I've only ever read the english tranlations because I cannot read Gurmukhi. But numerous times I have read a woman being decribed as the property of a man; refered to as a man's wife. Why is she not known as her own being, why doesnt she have her own identity? Why is God constantly refered to as He? If God is without gender why is God known as He? Is it because women are inferior to men, and God needs to be known as the greatest of all? As of right now, I'm very bothered by this. Coming from a family of 4 daughters, I've heard my fair share of peoples thoughts on girls. Why is the life of a woman regarded as without value? Possibly even in Sikhi? But then I think no, mana tu hi galat aa. Guru Nanak promoted equality of genders his entire life. I'm sorry if I offended anyone. That is not my intention at all. I am a feminist and I'm proud of it. But more than to be feminist its important for me to be a Sikh. To be a daughter of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

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answered 2015-06-14 13:32:30 -0500

gn
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updated 2015-06-14 13:36:14 -0500

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

English translations, are guess what Guru Ji is saying, those blessed Gursikhs who translated Guru Ji angs aren't perfect only Guru Ji is.

In Sikhi Guru Sahib uses the concept of us being all Soul Brides (females), and Waheguru being the husband Lord. We need to go merge back with our husband lord.

Guru Ji will never lable a woman as a males property.

Where the only religion in the world that gives males and females the exact same rights. Theres no special rules for males or females.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Mahraj, isn't for males. It's for everyone in this world regardless of sex or cast. When you read wife the same can apply for husband as well.

There are examples of Guru Ji referring to Waheguru Ji as not male:

Guru Sahib Ji says in Sri Chaupai Sahib:

Kripaa karee ham per jag mata. Granth karaa puran subh raataa. kilbikh sagal deh ko hartaa. Dustt dokhiyan ko chhai kartaa. (26)

The Mother of the world has been kind towards me and I have completed the granth this auspicious night; The Lord is the destroyer of all the sins of the body and all the malicious and wicked persons.402.

Also this beautiful Shabad:

Incase the above Shabad didn't show up

Guru Nanak rejected wearing a Hindu sacred thread because it can't be worn by woman. (Plus many other reasons).

The first Sikh was Bibi Nanaki Ji (Guru Nanak Dev Ji sister)

Guru Amar Das Ji sent 52 females to spread Sikhi.

The Gurus themselves had female body guards, and Guru Ji gave a sword to a woman and let them fight in the front line in battles, even the British army still doesn't allow females to be in the front line.

Mai Bhago Ji, one of the greatest Sikh warriors, was female and if it wasn't for here I might not be alive today.

Check of these videos: Heres a whole playlist on Sikh woman

Basics of Sikhi have many videos on Woman and Sikhi do check them out.

Theres no other religion that treats men and woman equally than Sikhi.

So kio Mandaa aakheeai jit janmehi raajaan|| So why call her low? From her, kings are born.||

Guru Nanak Dev Ji also said from her kings and saints are born

Also if you take the example of Mool Mantra, for example Nirvair which means Waheguru has no hate ... (more)

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answered 2015-06-16 16:27:55 -0500

Jaskirat Kaur
109 ●15 ●21 ●25

updated 2015-06-16 16:28:41 -0500

Honestly, I agree with you. For reasons unknown women , even in Sikhi, aren't as important as they used to be. It actually makes me mad when I listen to some Sikh songs once in a while and they say something like :Guru Ji terai Singh ladlai instead of Guru Ji terai SIKH ladlai. Women are still considered weak. The other day I was cleaning the house and I moved the sofa to get the mess that was under the sofa...Not a big deal, I find it easy to pick up... But my mom said that I shouldn't pick up heavy stuff only guys should. I feel like women need to speak up. Many women these days are quiet and we , as females, need to fix that. In a way, this is our fault.

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answered 2015-07-07 23:37:46 -0500

GRai
21 ●2

GN did the good job explaining how our Gurus considered and promoted the men and women equality.

Here is one more piece of explanation. I am not sure if you know this or not that old communities were dominated with the believe to consider Husbands as God (thought still prevalent among many communities). Women were and are still expected to serve their husbands lords. Women were and to some extent are still considered inferior to men. Gurbani says that there is only God, if you say Husbands are God then we have only one husband that is God. and we should serve our God the way community expected wives to serve their husbands. If we consider he (man) superior to she (woman), Gurbani tells us that then God is the he because God is the only one superior. Gurbani explains the same thing in many different ways. This is just a way of Gurbani to explain us about the truth and to help us clear our misconceptions.

The more we discuss Gurbani, more we understand it.

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answered 2016-11-21 01:17:38 -0500

bhagheen
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I think women being treated unfairly in Sikhi is more of a cultural thing than a religious matter. I myself am a woman so i understand. However, guru sahib does not say anything bad about women in fact he respects them tremendously, but our culture however does not.

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I agree with Bhagheen Kaur Bhen Ji. This is a cultural thing, Gurbani shows not only respect for women but certainly equality and more. Our aardas begins with a command to remember Pritam Bhagauti - the primal feminine creative power!

Guruka Singh ( 2016-11-21 11:59:24 -0500 )edit

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Sexism and Sikhi

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