Sikhism is one of the more modern religions when compared to other world religions, and is full of rituals that can be classified as rites of passage. The rite of passage I witnessed in my ethnic group is known as Amrit Sanchar. Amrit Sanchar is an optional ceremony that can be undertaken by Sikhs that initiates them into the rank of Khalsa. Anyone that goes through this sacred ceremony is referred to as an Amritdhari. Amritdharis’s are baptized and are committed to the panth, which is another term for gods army. My grandmother underwent this ceremony in India at the age of 82. The entire ceremony began took place at a Gurudwara in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, our holy scripture. My grandmother was required to take a bath wearing
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Liminality is the actual transition and reincorporation is when the individual emerges with a new status and identity. The ritual of Amrit Sanchar meets all of these stages that form a rite of passage. The first stage known as separation can be found in Amrit Sanchar when the individual takes a bath with the five kakas. This separates the person from the status or identity they have. My grandmother was an ordinary Sikh until she took a bath with all the kakas. She was presented in front of Guru Granth Sahib alone and was asked to commit before the ritual started. She was asked to leave all her sins and bad habits in the past. Before the initiation, she left her old identity and was separated from the individuals spectating the ceremony. Separating the one partaking the ritual also has a significance in my culture. Firstly it is to emphasize ones decision, and secondly it is to isolate that individual in gods eyes as they leave their old identity behind and let god be witness. This has a direct connection with phase of …show more content…
The general concept of Upanayana ritual is to initiate a boy into maturity and entrance into Hindu education. Both rituals are performed differently yet have some similarities. Upanayana requires preparation before the ritual actually takes place. “A yellow substance is applied to the body of the individual the night before the ceremony and the individual is not allowed to talk” (Olson, 1977, 153). This signifies rebirth and leaving the old self behind and is the first stage; separation. This is also very similar to sikhism because we are required to bath with the 5 Kakas in order to leave our old selves because we are prepared to be purified as we have left our sins in the past. Both have a different process yet the spiritual meaning behind the both processes is the same; to purify oneself and leave the old identity in the past. There are a few similarities during the liminality phase of both the rituals. In Upanayana, the ritual is carried out in the presence of a guru or a teacher. The guru carries out all the necessary tasks required to complete the ritual. This is very similar to Amrit Sanchar because the presence of the 5 holy ones is required in order to carry out the ritual. They perform all the necessary tasks such as preparing the Amrit and chanting hymes while the ritual is performed. Both rituals have a guru or someone holy to assist and instruct during the procedure. Secondaly, in
Liminality is the actual transition and reincorporation is when the individual emerges with a new status and identity. The ritual of Amrit Sanchar meets all of these stages that form a rite of passage. The first stage known as separation can be found in Amrit Sanchar when the individual takes a bath with the five kakas. This separates the person from the status or identity they have. My grandmother was an ordinary Sikh until she took a bath with all the kakas. She was presented in front of Guru Granth Sahib alone and was asked to commit before the ritual started. She was asked to leave all her sins and bad habits in the past. Before the initiation, she left her old identity and was separated from the individuals spectating the ceremony. Separating the one partaking the ritual also has a significance in my culture. Firstly it is to emphasize ones decision, and secondly it is to isolate that individual in gods eyes as they leave their old identity behind and let god be witness. This has a direct connection with phase of …show more content…
The general concept of Upanayana ritual is to initiate a boy into maturity and entrance into Hindu education. Both rituals are performed differently yet have some similarities. Upanayana requires preparation before the ritual actually takes place. “A yellow substance is applied to the body of the individual the night before the ceremony and the individual is not allowed to talk” (Olson, 1977, 153). This signifies rebirth and leaving the old self behind and is the first stage; separation. This is also very similar to sikhism because we are required to bath with the 5 Kakas in order to leave our old selves because we are prepared to be purified as we have left our sins in the past. Both have a different process yet the spiritual meaning behind the both processes is the same; to purify oneself and leave the old identity in the past. There are a few similarities during the liminality phase of both the rituals. In Upanayana, the ritual is carried out in the presence of a guru or a teacher. The guru carries out all the necessary tasks required to complete the ritual. This is very similar to Amrit Sanchar because the presence of the 5 holy ones is required in order to carry out the ritual. They perform all the necessary tasks such as preparing the Amrit and chanting hymes while the ritual is performed. Both rituals have a guru or someone holy to assist and instruct during the procedure. Secondaly, in