SIKH - MEET PEOPLE FROM INDIA

Sikhs - we meet more and more often on Polish streets. Men in turbans looking exotic and foreign, but there is nothing to be afraid of. They are wonderful people.

As you know, before I created the Orientana brand, I spent a lot of time in India, mainly learning the principles of Ayurveda, which I used in my natural cosmetics.

In this post I would like to tell you about Sikhs. For me, they are a very interesting religious and social group that I had the opportunity to meet in India. In Poland, we know little about them and I have noticed that they are often confused with Muslims. So if you ever see a man in a turban, be sure that it is a Sikh.

In India they are not a very large group, only about 2% of the population, but they are most recognizable precisely because of the turban, thick mustache and beard. I have met several Sikhs, they are educated people with an open mind and heart.

It is the Sikh who is responsible for maintaining the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) ISO standards that apply to the production of natural cosmetics in the factory in India, where we produce only part of our cosmetics. I asked him to tell me about his religion and explain who the Sikhs are.

WHO ARE THE SIKHS? WHO IS THE MAN IN THE TURBAN?

Sikhs come from Punjab and in their language, Sikh means disciple. Although most Sikhs live in India, they are not Hindus. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion, with 25 million followers worldwide. Sikhs believe in one God, equality, freedom of religion, and social service.

They cover their hair, which they haven’t cut since childhood, with a colorful turban. The turban is a commitment to equality and justice. Sikhism emphasizes the equality of all men and women, which I really like. Sikhs believe in three basic principles: meditating on the existence of God (prayer), earning a living in an honest way (industriousness), and sharing the fruits of one’s labor with others (charity).

SIGH WILL HELP EVERYONE

It was this charity that I liked so much about the Sikhs. I saw it with my own eyes in India. When I visited their temple in Delhi, called a gurdwara, I noticed a large group of people sitting at the side of the temple, as if waiting for something. It turned out they were pilgrims and the needy, waiting for a meal.

The temple serves meals to the poor every day and everyone is involved in this work. At each gurdwara, huge kitchens and places are built where people eat what volunteers have cooked for them. Everyone can enter the kitchen and watch the process of preparing free meals, but they can also join in the action and help another person selflessly. I observed people who even came with their children and joined in preparing the dough or rolling out huge amounts of roti.

A meal will be served to anyone who needs it, regardless of religion or background. Anyone can come to the gurdwara and everyone will receive support. At the appropriate time, those waiting are let into the huge dining hall, wash their hands, sit cross-legged on the floor and patiently wait for their food. A Sikh walks among the people with a huge pot and ladle, pouring lentil soup for everyone, while another hands out hot roti flatbreads. The community kitchen is a symbol of equality and brotherhood. Believe me, it is impressive. I got shivers down my spine.

FOR A SIKH ALL ARE EQUAL

Equality is of the utmost importance to Sikhs. Their religion rejects all distinctions based on caste, creed, sex, colour, race or national origin. All are equal and should be treated equally. For Sikhs, God is not found in isolation or through renunciation of the world, but is attained as an active member of the family and a member of one's community.

SIKHISM RECOGNIZES THE EQUALITY OF WOMEN AND MEN

The Sikhs’ treatment of women is interesting. The Sikh faith considers women equal to men and defines God as gender neutral. It is one of the few religions in the world that does this. There is no activity in a gurdwara or in a Sikh community that is permissible for a man but not for a woman. There is no religious function that prevents women from performing it at any time.

SIKHS WORK HARD

Sikhism is a practical religion, and Sikhs are pragmatic people. In their community, the emphasis is on leading a hard-working, successful life, and the achievements and successes of others are highly valued. And these people, thanks to their education and hard work, are able to work out a very successful life and high social status. However, they always remember others, those in need, and support them as much as they can. Cooperation for peace and harmony in the world is also important.

If you meet a Sikh on the street (there are already 5,000 of them living in Poland) remember this post and smile. Sikhs are peaceful people who are very tolerant, honest and nice.