Sikhism

(First published in Small World Ezine some time in January 2002)

 

Do you know how come a lot of our Indian friends have their
last name "Singh"? I have 3 "Singh" friends in Thailand, and 
a "Singh" student in the Philippines...  Asia is not a place 
you'll accidentally have the same last name as somebody 
else. There's always be a story (or two) behind the names.

When Guru Nanak (b.1469) founded the Sikh Religion 500+ 
years ago, The Guru preached that people of different races, 
religions, or sex are all equal in the eyes of God. 

The teaching of Sikhism is well ahead of its time for 
example the equality among men and woman and restrictions on 
child marriage, gambling, tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.

And because it was a time of heavy religious wars in India,
all the Sikhist men's names are suffixed "Singh" (lion), and 
women names are suffixed "Kaur" in order for the unity.

Now, the world's 5th largest religion, there are 20+ million 
Sikhists worldwide. In most places, "Singh" becomes the 
family name used by both men and women who follow 
international tradition. Some of them are even converted 
to Christians or other religious beliefs, but they are still 
using the old last name.

And that's why there are so many "Singh"s. 

One character of a (conservative) Sikhist is that they'd 
never cut their hair. And men will wear turbun, esp. when 
they go outside. 

 

See the way he put the turban? It's tight and neat. The
turban could be of a different colour. But it's certainly 
does not look like the one of the Al-Qaeda's. Please do not
hate our Sikhist friends only because of their turbans. 
Remember one Sikhist was killed in America a few months ago
only because the murderrer thought he was related to the
terrorist? Ignorance kills!


By the way, the word "Sikh" is Punjabi for "discipline".


If you are interested to learn more about Sikhism, please 
visit the Sikhism web site at...   http://www.sikhs.org/   

 

 

More:


How about a "Banta Singh" joke -- straight from India?

Not to make fun of the "Singhs",... Just to express there 
are really many "Singhs" in the world. And because of the 
turbans and the beard (don't shave either), they all look 
the same. I can never recognize my old friend from school 
until he says something to me. Really!

One day, Banta Singh was enjoying the sun at the beach in 
America.

A lady came and asked him, "Are you relaxing?"
Singh answered, "No, I am Banta Singh."

Another guy came and asked the him the same question.
Singh answered, "No, No, Me Banta Singh!"

Third one came and asked him the same question again.
Singh was totally annoyed and decided to shift his place.

While walking he saw another man with turban soaking in the 
sun. He went up to him and asked, "Are you Relaxing?"

The other Singh was much more intelligent and answered, "Yes, 
I am relaxing."

Banta Singh slapped him on his face and said, "You !@#%!.
Everyone is looking for you and you are sitting over here!"