Initiation is a very common practice
in almost all the religions although known with different names,
with different aims and methods and with the passage of time
have became merely a ritual whereas in Sikhism it is just not
another custom rather is a bond of commitment and sincerity
of Sikhs towards Guru.
Amritsanchar in Sikhism is initiation and an initiated person
is called Amritdhari.
The revolution that Guru Nanak started against inhuman practices
and rituals and up-liftment of common man's life got completed
by the time of Guru Gobind Singh, who could have realized that
his successor would be Shabad Guru (Guru) Granth Sahib many
years before he announced the same and at that stage he would
had thought of bringing Sikhs in an organized discipline and
under rehat maryada (code of conduct) in order to follow the
teachings of (Guru) Granth Sahib. May be at that time he developed
the concept of initiation, which even today is world's most
unique & logical process.
This was the time when Guru gave the world ever best example
of delegation of authority by initiation first five Sikhs himself
and then authorizing only them to initiate others including
himself, since then only such five initiated Sikhs can perform
this act.
Guru did never imposed this practice on Sikhs rather made it's
purpose so clear that they can understand the need of it and
much glorious part of it is that right from his first call on
Baisakhi day of 1699 till date Sikhs are volunteering for this.
The process and very purpose is made simple and easily adaptable.
During this process one understands the motive of life and it
helps an Amritdhari to remain alert towards the Guru's teachings.
Guru Gobind Singh with this system have ruled out wrong notion
of a person to be mistaken as Sikh just by birth in a Sikh family
or by adapting the symbols of Sikh personality from outside,
which Guru had visualized that may happen after him and we know
he was right. |
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