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Unlock This CourseA rite of passage is a ceremony that marks an important change in life. You have already studied the naming ceremony and initiation into the Khalsa in The Naming Ceremony and Amrit Sanskar. This lesson covers the other two: marriage and death. You already know that Sikhs see marriage as a spiritual union of two equals and the householder life as the best path to God. You also know that Sikhs see death as part of the hukam (God's order) and believe in rebirth. Here you see those ideas in action.
The Sikh wedding is called the Anand Karaj, which means the 'ceremony of bliss'. It is held in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, usually in a gurdwara. Families and friends of the couple make up the sangat that witnesses it. The ceremony follows these steps:
There is usually a meal of langar afterwards. The Sikh code, the Rahit Maryada, does not include a dowry, which is a gift of money or goods from the bride's family.
Key terms:
The Guru Granth Sahib is at the centre, so Sikhs believe God and the Guru are part of the marriage. The bow shows free consent. The couple walk together, one behind the other, which shows that they begin a shared journey.
Each of the four rounds takes the couple further in their shared life of faith. Sikhs hear the Guru's words as they walk, so the Guru's teaching leads their married life.
Sikhs believe that death is part of God's order and that the soul continues after the body dies, as you saw in Samsara: Death and Rebirth in Sikhism. So Sikhs try to accept death calmly and to avoid loud grieving. Hymns are sung, and the family trusts God's will. Death rituals follow these steps:
Calm acceptance expresses the belief in hukam. Sending the ashes into running water, with no memorial, shows that the soul has moved on and that the body is not worshipped. Reading the Guru's words gives comfort and reminds the family that God is always present.
Neighbours and friends join the family for the readings and langar. Sikhs see this as sewa, because it shares the burden of grief and shows that nobody mourns alone.
Most Sikhs agree that these rites matter, but they do not all agree on every detail.
(a) Outline two features of the Anand Karaj. [4 marks, Paper 2, AO1]
One feature is that the ceremony takes place in front of the Guru Granth Sahib (1), which shows that the Guru is at the centre of the marriage (1). A second feature is the Lavan, in which four verses are read and sung (1) while the couple walk round the Guru Granth Sahib after each one (1).
(b) Explain why death rituals are important for Sikhs. [6 marks, Paper 2, AO1 and AO2]
Death rituals are important because they express the Sikh belief in hukam. Sikhs accept death calmly as part of God's order, so they sing hymns instead of mourning loudly. They are also important because Sikhs believe the soul continues after death, so the body is cremated and the ashes are placed in running water. There are no gravestones, because the person is remembered through prayer, not through a place. The rites are also important because the sangat comes together for the Sahaj Path, in which the whole Guru Granth Sahib is read, and for langar. This gives comfort to the family and shows sewa. For these reasons the rites help the family to honour the person and to keep their faith in difficult times.
(c) 'Sikh rites of passage should always follow the Rahit Maryada exactly.' Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include reference to teachings, other points of view, and your own opinion. [10 marks, Paper 2, AO1 and AO2]
For: the Rahit Maryada is the Sikh code, so following it keeps Sikhs united; it keeps the focus on the Guru Granth Sahib; it avoids dowry and showy memorials; the Anand Karaj and Lavan are the same everywhere. Against: local customs help families to celebrate and to grieve; Sikhs live in many countries and families may need to adapt; some Sikhs think a gurdwara should welcome couples where one is not a Sikh. Different views: Sikhs who follow the code closely would say it should be kept; others would say that the spirit of the teaching matters more than every detail. Possible conclusion: the central parts, such as the Guru Granth Sahib and the Lavan, should be kept, but families can add respectful customs which do not go against Sikh teaching.
For a 'Discuss' question on rites of passage, name the Rahit Maryada or the Lavan as your teaching, give a different Sikh view, and end with your own reasoned conclusion.