Post by graybeard on Oct 30, 2011 9:03:08 GMT -6
We've been on the road for over a week, staying mostly in motels run by what I have called Hindus, for lack of more precise knowledge. Then last week I learned that a small independent convenience store in Downieville is owned by Sikhs, although they look Hindi. This group owns about 50 such stores. I knew Sikhs were different, but not how, other than they were highly respected bodyguards for British officers in India.
Looked on wiki, and was amazed to find what appears to be the forerunner to the founding and development of our own nation.
For example:
"Sikh scriptures teach the concept of moderation. Sikhism teaches a person to remove (the Five Evils): (kaam (kam) or Lust), krodh or wrath, lobh or greed, moh or materialism and ahankar or egotism), and to oppose hedonism.
Guru Nanak sought to improve the status of women by spreading this message: "From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad? when she gives rise to nobility. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all. O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman." (page 473). In so doing, he promoted women's rights and equality, a remarkable stance in the 15th century which was actually brought into practice by Guru Nanak and following 9 Gurus."
Other than forbidding haircuts, they appear very rational. I wonder how many Sikhs in the US have forsaken their hair to fit in? A turbaned taxi driver in Orange County a few years ago told me he was returning to Punjab, largely because of his treatment by rednecks since 911. They accused him of terrorism, burned crosses on his lawn, etc.
GB
Looked on wiki, and was amazed to find what appears to be the forerunner to the founding and development of our own nation.
For example:
"Sikh scriptures teach the concept of moderation. Sikhism teaches a person to remove (the Five Evils): (kaam (kam) or Lust), krodh or wrath, lobh or greed, moh or materialism and ahankar or egotism), and to oppose hedonism.
Guru Nanak sought to improve the status of women by spreading this message: "From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad? when she gives rise to nobility. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all. O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman." (page 473). In so doing, he promoted women's rights and equality, a remarkable stance in the 15th century which was actually brought into practice by Guru Nanak and following 9 Gurus."
Other than forbidding haircuts, they appear very rational. I wonder how many Sikhs in the US have forsaken their hair to fit in? A turbaned taxi driver in Orange County a few years ago told me he was returning to Punjab, largely because of his treatment by rednecks since 911. They accused him of terrorism, burned crosses on his lawn, etc.
GB