Conversation on Diversity: Sikh Experience in the United States

On Wednesday, April 30^th, 2008, the Study Abroad Office at California State University, Chico presented an hour of conversation on diversity focusing on Sikhism.  The presenters of the event included Professor Vailinger, professor of Eastern Religion at Chico State, and a Sikh student.  Professor Vailinger provided his expertise on the history and culture of Sikhism, while the student shared his personal experience of his religion.

What is Sikhism?  Sikhism simply means disciple or student.  All believers of Sikhism are considered students or disciples of the religion.  The Guru is the teacher of Sikhism who is to help all disciples understand God.  Guru Nanak founded Sikhism in 1499.  Like the Bible or the Koran, Sikhism has the Mul Mantra (Mul means core).  In this Mul Mantra, it states that there is only one Supreme Being or one God.  He is the eternal reality, self-existent, and never reincarnated.  He is the creator who is without fear and devoid of hatred.  There can be no contact between God and humans; even the Guru cannot be contacted by God.  God never comes down to earth and be reincarnated in the form of humans or animals.  This does not mean that God, the creator, has abandoned the people on Earth.  Everyone is still blessed with a divine spark and is encouraged to do good deeds.  Good karma will be rewarded and bad karma will be punished in the form of reincarnation into a higher being or lower being.

Currently, there are 25 million Sikhs in the world.  Most of them are in India and Pakistan in a region called, Punjab.  Pun means five and jab means river.  This region has 5 rivers running through it.  The climate of Punjab is very similar to the Sacramento Valley.  Perhaps, this is a reason why many Sikhs have decided to settle in the Sacramento Valley.  They’re very comfortable with the climate in this region of California.  Yuba City has a good number of Sikhs living there.  I believe there is a Sikh parade or festival in Yuba City once a year.

Below are the five items of faith that baptized Khalsa Sikhs must wear.  This is also known as the Five Ks or panj kakaar.

• Kesh – uncut hair
• Kanga – comb
• Kaccha – short pants
• Kara – steel bracelet
• Kirpan - dagger

A major difference between Sikhism and Hinduism is their view on the caste system.  Sikhs do not believe in a caste system.  It is a duty for everyone to sit together and dine together at an event called, Langar.  Food is served to everyone on long tables regardless of your social status in your community.  To further demonstrate Sikhism’s denunciation of the caste system, all Sikh men have the same last name, and so do the women.  In Hinduism, the last name indicates which caste you are from, but this is not the case with Sikhism.

After September, many Sikhs were openly discriminated in the United States because of the turbans and bear they wear.  Unfortunately, some Americans associated Sikhs with Muslims by their appearance.  They had to go around letting people know they’re not Muslims.  Some Sikhs even worn turbans that are designed of the American flag to show their patriotism.  If they were Muslims, they shouldn’t even be discriminated at all. 

This is a very educative event.  My knowledge of Sikhism has broadened.  It was interesting to learn of the origin of the religion, where some of them are relocated in California, and the discriminations they faced today.  This event was well worth the time.