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.
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| Kanga |
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| Kirpan |
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.
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| Preparing the Amrit |
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.
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| Administering the Amrit |
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
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
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.”
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