Sikhism

THE AMRIT CEREMONY

One initiation ceremony in the Sikh religion is the Amrit ceremony. This is when a 12 or 13 year old person has come to understand the responsibilities about the decision to become Sikh, and have therefore become a more committed member  by being initiated into the Khalsa (a group fully initiated by Sikhs).

What the young people had to learn

The young people had to learn what becoming a Sikh meant. They had to understand the responsibilities, rules and actions a Sikh needed to undertake. Before the ceremony, the people also had to prepare themselves physically and mentally.

▪                It is mandatory to wash their hair before the ceremony, for those who are receiving the initiation and those who are administering it.

▪                The person to be initiated should not be of a very young age, but old and mature enough to undrstand the decision they are making (12 or 13 years onwards).

▪                They must wear all 5 K’s

1.     Kes (unshorn hair)

2.     Kirpan (sword)

3.     Kachhehra (prescribed shorts)

4.     Kanga (comb tucked in the tied hair)

5.     Karha (steel bracelet)

▪                He/she must not have on his/her person any token of any other faith.

▪                They must not have their head bare or wearing a cap, but covered with a cloth

▪                They must not have any piercings in the body

They had to understand these laws/rules:

▪                Worship one God.

▪                Read the Guru Granth.

▪                Join the Sikh congregation.

▪                Serve others.

▪        Refrain from worshiping any created object, or living thing.

Kanga

How they dressed

Kirpan

The Amritdhari (person to be initiated into Sikhism) needed to wear specific clothing at the Amrit ceremony. They needed to wear all 5 K’s:

1.     Kes (unshorn hair)

2.     Kirpan (sword)

3.     Kachhehra (prescribed shorts)

4.     Kanga (comb tucked in the tied hair)

5.     Karha (steel bracelet)

They had to be dressed respectively/traditionally, and made sure that anything on their person does not contradict the religion’s rules and dress policy.

Who was there

During an Amrit ceremony, only certain people are allowed to observe.

The other people who wish to be initiated are present, so is the Guru Grabth Sahib (the religious text of Sikhism).

There also must be a Sikh attendant and the original 5 member of the Sikh brotherhood-the Panj Pyare.

What happened during the ritual

To commence the initiation ceremony, the Sikh attendant carries the Guru Granth (the Sikh Scriptures) to a low, draped platform. The prayer of Ardas is then said. The attendant reads a hukam, which is a randomly selected verse of scripture. Standing guard outside is a Sikh carrying a sword. In an Amrit, at least one new initiate must participate. The initiates will stand facing the platform and Guru Granth.

The Panj Pyare (the 5 Beloved) explain to the initiates who then agree to:

▪                Worship one God.

▪                Read the Guru Granth.

▪                Join the Sikh congregation.

▪                Serve others.

▪                Refrain from worshiping any created object, or living thing.

Preparing the Amrit

One of the Panj Pyare will offer a prayer for the preparation of the Amrit, otherwise known as the Nectar of the sword or the Baptismal water. The others stand by the iron bowl in which the Amrit is to be prepared. The Sikh attendant will then read a hukam from the Guru Granth to the others. All the Panj Pyare will gather around the iron bowl kneeling with the left knee upright, while squatting on the right heel (this is also known as the bir posture).

The Amrit is then prepared.

One Pyara will pour clean water into a bowl and then add crystallized sugar. Another Pyara holds onto the bowl with the left hand, grasps a double-edged iron sword with the right hand, and stirs the sugar in to the water while reciting one of five Amrit banis, or ceremonial prayers. The others hold the edge of the bowl with both hands, passing the sword and reciting the prayers, taking turns, always concentrating fully on the Amrit Nectar.

When the ceremonial prayers have been completed, everyone will stand and one of the Panj Pyara offers the formal prayer of Ardas

After this, the initiates will then assume the bir posture, cupping their right hand over their left.

One pyara will dip a hand into the bowl and pour the Amrit into the cupped hands of an initiate saying: "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh," (Khalsa is of the wondrous, dark dispelling light, as is victory).  The initiate will drink the nectar and answers in the same manner. This process is then repeated another 5 times.

One pyara will then sprinkle a handful of the Amrit nectar into the initiate’s eyes, saying, "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh." The initiate answers in like manner. The process is repeated five times.

Administering the Amrit

One pyara will wet the initiate’s hair with a handful of Amrit saying, "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh". The initiate answers in like manner. The process is repeated five times.

The Panj Pyare will then each put a hand on top of the head of the initiate, and then say, “Waheguru,” in unison, the Sikh name for God. This symbolizes the imparting of the mantra of the guru to the initiate who recites it with them.

When all the initiates have been initiated, everyone stands up. The Panj Pyre passes the bowl of the Amrit, one of them holds the bowl up to the lips of each initiate, and everyone drinks from it until it has finished.

To finish, the Panj Pyare will lead the initiates to the waiting congregation. A large kettledrum is beaten as they file in one by one and bow before the Guru Granth. They then greet the congregation, and take part in the worship service.

Symbols and Actions

·      Sprinkling the Amrit on the eyes and hair

·      Stirring the Amrit

·      The Guru Granth

·      The Panj Pyare

·      The 5 k’s

How they celebrate afterwards

The congregation and then initiates will then gather in the langar dining hall to eat from the guru’s free kitchen.




The Importance of the Initiation
It is believed that drinking the Nectar of the Sword during the Amrit Ceremony that eternal life and immortality is given to the initiate.
It gives the initiate the path to God.


Key beliefs of Sikhism

Sikhism has 4 Key beliefs  


One God

·      God is the creator of the Universe

·      God isn’t born and will never die

·      God is present everywhere

2.     Equality

·      All human beings are equal

·      People of all religions and races are welcome in Sikh Gurdwaras

·      Women have equal status as men in religious services and ceremonies

3.     Birth and Death

·      After a person dies, his soul is born again in another body, either human or animal

·      One’s next life depends on his deeds in the past life

·      The human life is supreme and it is through this life that we can achieve a oneness with God

·      Finding God takes us out of this life cycle

4.     Non-violence

·      Sikhs are peace loving people and stand for truth and justice

·      Guru Gobind Sigh Ji said, “It is right to use as a last resort when all other peaceful means fail.”

Judaism

A BRIT MILAH

Brit Milah means “the Covenant of Circumcision.”

 The Brit Milah is a Ritual with 3 parts to it, one part is the blessing and circumcision of the boy, and second part is the naming of the child, and the third part is the Seudat Mitzvah. The Brit Milah Is considered to be the new born child’s entry into the Jewish tradition, it takes place 8 days after the child is born and, unless it endangers the health of the child, the Brit Milah cannot be post-phoned.

A Sandek

Who was there?
The Sandek of the baby is the person who holds the child while the circumcision is being performed. The Sandek is usually a man, often a grandparent, brother or even a close friend of the Father. The Sandek is considered to be an honored role in the ceremony. When the child is placed on the Sandek’s lap and circumcised, it is believed a spiritual link between the Sandek and the child is formed, making the Sandek the spiritual guide of the baby.

A Kvatterin is also present. This is considered to be the Jewish equivalent of a Godmother. Before the ceremony begins, the Kvatterin takes the baby from the mother and hands him over to the Kvatter.

A Kvatter is a Jewish equivalent of a Godfather. He takes the baby from the Kvatterin and brings him over to the Mohel, the one who circumcises the boy.

The Mohel is a trained and qualified Ritual Circumciser. He is formally trained in circumcision techniques as well as Jewish law and tradition.

The mother and father of the child are also present.

Dress Clothes

How they dressed
It is customary for the participants to wear dress clothes for the Brit Milah ceremony. The parents also must wear dress clothes in honor of the commandment.

What happened during the ritual
Blessing and Circumcision

The ceremony starts when the mother hands the baby boy over to the Kvatterin. The baby is then brought into the room where the ceremony will take place and is handed over to the Kvatter. 

While the baby is being brought into the room, it is customary for the guests to greet him by saying “Baruch HaBa,” which means “Blessed be he who comes,” in Hebrew. This greeting isn’t actually part of the ceremony, but it was added to express the hope that the Messiah might have been born, and the guests were greeting him.

Chair of Elijah

The baby is then handed over to the Sandek, the person who holds the baby while the circumcision is performed. The Sandek may sit in a chair called The Chair of Elijah.

The Mohel will recite a blessing for the baby, saying: “Praised are you, Aonai our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us in the ritual of circumcision.”  After the prayer has ended, the circumcision is then performed and the Mohel recites a blessing thanking God for bringing the child into the covenant of Abraham: "Blessed are You, Adonai our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to make him enter into the covenant of Abraham our father."

After the father has recited the blessing, guests respond with: "As he has entered into the covenant, so may he be introduced to the study of Torah, to the wedding canopy, and to good deeds."

Kiddush and Naming

After the circumcision, a blessing over the wine is said, and a drop of it is put into the baby’s mouth. A prayer for the child’s good health and well-being is recited, followed by another prayer that gives him his name:

Creator of the universe. May it be Your will to regard and accept this (performance of circumcision), as if I had brought this baby before Your glorious throne. And in Your abundant mercy, through Your holy angels, give a pure and holy heart to ________, the son of ________, who was just now circumcised in honor of Your great Name. May his heart be wide open to comprehend Your holy Law, that he may learn and teach, keep and fulfill Your laws.

Seudat Mitzvah
At the end, there is the Seudat Mitzvah, which is a celebratory meal that is required by Jewish Law. In this way the joy of a new life in this world is connected with the joy of sharing food with family and friends.

 What Different Symbols and Actions They Used

• The passing of the baby
• The Prophet’s Chair/Elijah’s Chair
• Drop of wine
• The Circumcision
• The Blessing and Prayers

How they celebrated afterwards
They celebrated with the Seudat Mitzvah. Which is a celebratory meal that is required by Jewish Law. In this way the joy of a new life in this world is connected with the joy of sharing food with family and friends.
Excluding the Seudat Mitzvah, the entire Brit Milah ceremony will take approximately 15 minutes.


Importance of a Brit Milah
A Brit Milah marks the beginning of the life of a child born into a Jewish religion. It shows that he is a child of God, and he is to be taught and brought up the Jewish way.


Key beliefs of Judaism

God
The Jews believe that there is only one God-this is called a monotheistic faith. They believe that God is beyond our ability to understand, but he is always present in our daily lives. Some Jews connect to God through prayer, others may not think about God on a daily basis.

Humankind was Created In the Divine Image
Jews believe that every human was created in the image andlikeness of God: "b'tzelem Elohim.”  For this reason they believe that every person is equally important and has potential to do good. People have free will to make choices in their lives and each of us is responsible for the consequences of those choices.

Community
In the Judaism religion believes that jews are uniquely connected with each other, even if the live on opposite end of the world, all Jews are part of a global Jewish community.

Torah
The Torah is considered Judaism’s most important text. It contains the stories and commandments that teach them about life and death. The Torah contains the 1o Commandments as well as the 613 Commandments, also called the Mitzvot. All Jews consider the 10 commandments to be the most important commandments in the Torah, though not all Jews adhere to the 613 mitzvot.

The Ten Commandments:

▪                I am the Lord your God

▪                You shall not recognize the gods of others in My presence

▪                You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain

▪                Remember the day of shabbat to keep it holy

▪                Honor your father and your mother

▪                You shall not murder

▪                You shall not commit adultery

▪                You shall not steal

▪                Do not give false testimony against your neighbor

You shall not covet your fellow's possessions

The Land of Israel
Israel is part of every Jew’s world view, it is considered to be the Holy Land by the Jewish. This is where covenant was made between God and the Jewish people at Mt. Sinai.

Messiah
Judaism teaches that one day a Messiah will unite the world and bring peace to the world. Tradition teaches that the messiah will be descended from the family of King David.