As the world becomes more interconnected, we understand how some have an abundance of monetary wealth, and others do not, and the more we understand the various needs unaddressed in our backyards and abroad. People want to give. People need to give. But do we understand what it means to give? This report aims to understand and explore what it means to give in a Sikh context, how giving is conceptualized and understood through Sikh history, and how it is understood and practiced today. The report analyzes ideas conveyed in the Nam-Dan-Isnan (Identifying-Giving-Cleansing) doctrine from a Gurmat (or Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle).
Miri comes from Perso-Arabic “Amir” or “Emir” and signals political power. Piri comes from the Perso-Arabic “Pir” and signals spiritual power. Miri-Piri encapsulates the Political-Spiritual doctrine in Sikhi, rooted in both the worldly and the timeless, and in sovereignty beyond nation-states. This report aims to understand and explore how the Miri-Piri doctrine influences the political and spiritual behavior of Sikhs worldwide.
We just published our latest State of the Panth report on Akal Takht Sahib: Timeless Sovereign Throne, exploring its role and function through history, wisdom, and lifestyle. Bonus: the report includes a global survey of more than 1,000 Sikhs from 27 countries. Read it to see if your views align with theirs. Here is the full report: https://www.sikhri.org/akal-takht-sahib
As the world becomes more interconnected, we understand how some have an abundance of monetary wealth, and others do not, and the more we understand the various needs unaddressed in our backyards and abroad. People want to give. People need to give. But do we understand what it means to give? This report aims to understand and explore what it means to give in a Sikh context, how giving is conceptualized and understood through Sikh history, and how it is understood and practiced today. The report analyzes ideas conveyed in the Nam-Dan-Isnan (Identifying-Giving-Cleansing) doctrine from a Gurmat (or Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle).
Miri comes from Perso-Arabic “Amir” or “Emir” and signals political power. Piri comes from the Perso-Arabic “Pir” and signals spiritual power. Miri-Piri encapsulates the Political-Spiritual doctrine in Sikhi, rooted in both the worldly and the timeless, and in sovereignty beyond nation-states. This report aims to understand and explore how the Miri-Piri doctrine influences the political and spiritual behavior of Sikhs worldwide.
We just published our latest State of the Panth report on Akal Takht Sahib: Timeless Sovereign Throne, exploring its role and function through history, wisdom, and lifestyle. Bonus: the report includes a global survey of more than 1,000 Sikhs from 27 countries. Read it to see if your views align with theirs. Here is the full report: https://www.sikhri.org/akal-takht-sahib
In the past few years, more and more US states placed restrictions on abortion practices and the issue has been dominating news headlines ever since.
Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (1718-1783) was one of the most outstanding leaders Sikhs have had. As a leader, he prepared the Sikh community to take control of its own destiny in the most troubled times and write a chapter on its own in the annals of history. His leadership helped the Sikh community through multiple genocidal campaigns and turned out sovereigns in Panjab, a North-Western region in South Asia.
A new translation and brief essay on the fifty-second ghazal from Bhai Nand Lal’s Divan-i-Goya.
As the world becomes more interconnected, we understand how some have an abundance of monetary wealth, and others do not, and the more we understand the various needs unaddressed in our backyards and abroad. People want to give. People need to give. But do we understand what it means to give?
Miri comes from Perso-Arabic “Amir” or “Emir” and signals political power. Piri comes from the Perso-Arabic “Pir” and signals spiritual power. Miri-Piri encapsulates the Political-Spiritual doctrine in Sikhi, rooted in both the worldly and the timeless, and in sovereignty beyond the nation-states.
Sexuality is a confusing and often avoided topic. It is generally relegated to being a "private" matter, and therefore not openly discussed or engaged with, even within close circles and small communities. Due to the taboo of discussing sexuality, many people struggle individually, often turning to religion for guidance or, more concretely, moral pronouncements.
Abortion as defined by the the Oxford dictionary is a “deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.” Abortions have long been performed and long been the subject of considerable debate. Of the many social issues of our time, the issue of abortion is one that is consistently divisive and consistently nuanced. It is also an issue that is seldom talked about, due to its sensitive nature and the taboo that often comes with having undergone the procedure.
Akal Takht Sahib (Timeless Throne Sovereign) commands the worldly moral authority of the Sikhs, functioning as the institutional manifestation of the Miri-Piri (Political-Spiritual) doctrine as envisioned by the Gurus. However, over time Akal Takht Sahib has become occupied by third-party influences, not just in its institutional manifestation but also in the psyche of the Sikhs. A lack of faith in the institution leads to a feeling of disconnect within the Panth (Sikh collective), where Akal Takht Sahib exists more as a symbolic structure instead of functioning as a governance one.
The Gurduara is considered to be the heart of the Sikh community. Throughout all components of the Gurduara, the teachings of the Gurus must be visible in both abstract heights and concrete realities. The goal of each Gurduara must be to impart the Guru’s worldview, articulated in the Miri-Piri (Political-Spiritual) doctrine, through the appropriate mediums for the local Sikh communities they serve. In recent times, there has become a disconnect between the Gurduara governance teams and the local sangat of the Gurduaras.
As the world becomes more interconnected, we understand how some have an abundance of monetary wealth, and others do not, and the more we understand the various needs unaddressed in our backyards and abroad. People want to give. People need to give. But do we understand what it means to give?
Miri comes from Perso-Arabic “Amir” or “Emir” and signals political power. Piri comes from the Perso-Arabic “Pir” and signals spiritual power. Miri-Piri encapsulates the Political-Spiritual doctrine in Sikhi, rooted in both the worldly and the timeless, and in sovereignty beyond the nation-states.
Sexuality is a confusing and often avoided topic. It is generally relegated to being a "private" matter, and therefore not openly discussed or engaged with, even within close circles and small communities. Due to the taboo of discussing sexuality, many people struggle individually, often turning to religion for guidance or, more concretely, moral pronouncements.
Abortion as defined by the the Oxford dictionary is a “deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.” Abortions have long been performed and long been the subject of considerable debate. Of the many social issues of our time, the issue of abortion is one that is consistently divisive and consistently nuanced. It is also an issue that is seldom talked about, due to its sensitive nature and the taboo that often comes with having undergone the procedure.
Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) has released its sixth report in the State of the Panth series titled Sikhi & Sexuality, exploring how Sikhi has influenced the collective behavior of the Sikhs when it comes to sex, pleasure, and procreation. Sexuality is not something that is frequently discussed in the Panth (Sikh Collective). The report clearly outlines Sikh perspectives on major topics like lust, marriage, homosexuality, and polygamy. What does Bani say about sexuality? How do we differentiate between sex and sexuality? How have colonialism, nationalism, and other historical processes influenced the Sikh understanding of sexuality? What role, if any, should institutions play in supporting Sikhs of all gender identities and sexual orientations? Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur, with the Sikh Research Institute, explore how sexuality in the context of a Sikh worldview, from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). To read the full report: https://www.sikhri.org/sotp
Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) has released its sixth report in the State of the Panth series titled Sikhi & Sexuality, exploring how Sikhi has influenced the collective behavior of the Sikhs when it comes to sex, pleasure, and procreation. Sexuality is not something that is frequently discussed in the Panth (Sikh Collective). The report clearly outlines Sikh perspectives on major topics like lust, marriage, homosexuality, and polygamy. What does Bani say about sexuality? How do we differentiate between sex and sexuality? How have colonialism, nationalism, and other historical processes influenced the Sikh understanding of sexuality? What role, if any, should institutions play in supporting Sikhs of all gender identities and sexual orientations? Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur, with the Sikh Research Institute, explore how sexuality in the context of a Sikh worldview, from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). To read the full report: https://www.sikhri.org/sotp
Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) has released its sixth report in the State of the Panth series titled Sikhi & Sexuality, exploring how Sikhi has influenced the collective behavior of the Sikhs when it comes to sex, pleasure, and procreation. Sexuality is not something that is frequently discussed in the Panth (Sikh Collective). The report clearly outlines Sikh perspectives on major topics like lust, marriage, homosexuality, and polygamy. What does Bani say about sexuality? How do we differentiate between sex and sexuality? How have colonialism, nationalism, and other historical processes influenced the Sikh understanding of sexuality? What role, if any, should institutions play in supporting Sikhs of all gender identities and sexual orientations? Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur, with the Sikh Research Institute, explore how sexuality in the context of a Sikh worldview, from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). To read the full report: https://www.sikhri.org/sotp