Namdhari

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Namdhari Guru Jagjit Singh Ji Maharaj

Namdharis are a Sikh sect.

1 Appearances
2 Gurus
3 Beliefs
4 Restrictions
5 Other Information
6 Symbols
7 See also
8 External links

[edit] Appearances

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.

[edit] Gurus

Similar to the way the 'leadership' of the religion is passed on from one Guru to the next in Sikhism, it is the same with the Namdharis.

The Sikh belief that the line of personal Gurus ended with the death of Guru Gobind Singh in 1708, is denied by the Namdhari Sikhs. They insist that the Guru Gobind Singh lived for 146 years (1666-1812), eventually bestowing the succession on Guru Balak Singh of Hazro in 1812. Thus, he became the 11th Guru for the Namdharis.

His successor, the 12th Guru, Sri Satguru Ram Singh (1816-), is reverred in the religion as arguably the most important Guru. His status in the religion is similar to that of Guru Nanak's. Although he was exiled in 1872 and was never heard from again, legend has it that he is still alive and one day will return to lead the Namdharis.

The 13th Guru was Sri Satguru Hari Singh Ji (1819-1906) who passed on the Guruship to Sri Satguru Partap Singh Ji (1890-1959).

At present, His Holiness Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji Maharaj is the Guru of the Namdharis. He was born in 1920 and attained Guruship in 1959 when his father, the 14th Guru, passed away. Although currently suffering from health problems, he still admirably leads the religion and travels around the world to inspire his people.

[edit] Beliefs

The Namdharis are strict vegetarians and vigorous protectors of the cow. They attach equal importance to the Adi Granth and Dasam Granth, and they include the Dasam Granth composition Chandi di Var in their daily Nitnem (daily prayers taken from Sikh scripture).

Their loyalty to Khalsa traditions as they understand them is, however, altogether too obvious to be ignored and only the strictly orthodox would be prepared to place them outside the circle of Sikhs. Faced by their devotion, Principal Teja Singh in particular concluded that even if they were astray on one vital point they were at least potentially aligned with the Panth.

Furthermore, the similarities between Namdharis and Sikhs extend to the Five Ks, which one can use to identify a Sikh. Thus, many, if not all Sikhs, identify Namdharis as a part of Sikhism as well.

Namdharis believe that they follow the path of Guru Nanak 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 Namdhari Sikhs religious life is Naam Simran (Meditating the name of God) and the very word Namdhari literally translated means a ‘one who beholds God’s Name'.

They keep alcohol, tobacco products and drugs at arms length. 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.

[edit] Restrictions

Aside from being vegetarians the Namdharis are not allowed to drink tap water, and the water must be drawn from the lake or captured from rain. The Namdharis usually marry within their own sect (similar to many other religions), but since it is a religion, one may marry someone from another 'religion' as well. However, conservative Namdharis are opposed to this idea. Some conservative Namdharis don't wear anything else except a white oval shaped turban (for men) and white kurtas (trousers), this is meant for both genders.

[edit] Other Information

There are currently Namdhari Gurdwaras in many areas of the world, especially countries in South East Asia such as Thailand. However, one may also find Namdharis residing in the rest in the world including developed countries such as Canada, US and the United Kingdom.

[edit] Symbols

The Namdhari flag is white which symbolizes the Sikh Tenets: Truth, Purity, Simplicity, Peace and Unity was hoisted by the 12th Namdhari Guru - Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji Maharaj on the eve of the Baisakhi Festival - 1st Baisakh Samat 1914 (12th April 1857).