At the risk of offending anyone, I would like to know about the changes in Sikhi or the structure of religious practices throughout the history of the faith. How did things change with Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa? When did most of the changes happen and what circumstances surrounded the change? When did the religion become structured, so to speak... or what one might call and "organized" religion?
Please, if this question offends you, just try to ignore it. I really am curious about these changes.
sikhi evolved over the course of the 10 Gurus. Guru Nanak Dev ji started a distinct path when he began preaching against the superstition and
useless rituals that were prevalent at the time, instead suggesting we can achieve salvation through meditation on God.
what does it mean to be "organized"? Guru Nanak Dev ji had followers who spread his word and teachings.
Guru Angad gave us a new script, Gurmukhi, in which to write the teachings.
Guru Amar Das institutionalized Langar, making sure that Guru's kitchen was open day and night and made sure that everyone ate as equals, even kings. he also solidified the equality of women, speaking out against Sati and Purdha and began to encourage widow remarriage. he ordered a tank to be dug in what would become Amritsar.
Guru Ram Das began construction of the holy city of Amritsar, sent out many missionaries all over the region to spread the faith. he encouraged people to find god not only through meditation but through active involvement in the joys and sorrows of those around them.
Guru Arjun Dev constructed Harimandir Sahib. he instituted dasvand (giving 10% of the income to the poor). he collected the writings of all of the previous Gurus, as well as his own and those of many bhagats, poets, and saints, and created the Adi Granth (predecessor to SGGS). he began to encouage sikhs to learn horseback riding and weaponry. he was the first Martyr of the Sikh Gurus. (weapons, martyrdom... can you see the khalsa began long before the 10th Guru?
)
Guru Hargobind emphasized the martial aspect of Sikhi, always carrying two swords, Miri and Piri to represent that sikhs must live both in the spritual and the temporal world. he built the Akal Takht across from Harimandir Sahib as a temporal seat to emphasize this. Guru Hargobind built the first Sikh Army, encouraging gifts of weapons rather than money, teaching his followers to be ready for war. at this point the Sikhs began to fight the oppressive mughal forces.
Guru Har Rai faced the rise of mughal intolerance and during his reign his son, Ram Rai, created the first schism in sikhi by changing gurbani to suit his own needs. when he was disowned, he declaired himself Guru. there are still Gurdwaras in his name in parts of India.
Guru Harkrishan, in his too short life, showed the world the true meaning of seva by caring for the sick of all faiths until he too succumbed to disease and died.
Guru Teg Bahadur increased the military strength of Sikhs and showed that we must fight against oppression, no matter who is being oppressed. he saved the hindus of kashmir from genocide. he opened langar halls and dug wells all across india. he reinforced the notion that God is for everyone, hindu, muslim, and sikh, and that we must not force our beliefs on others. he too was martyred.
and so we come to Guru Gobind Singh ji... as you can see, the evolution of the Sikh faith took 10 Gurus, it didn't suddenly happen with the creation of the Khalsa. the Khalsa was necessary so that Guru sahib could allow the line of human Gurus to end and pass Guruship on to SGGS ji.
every Guru's accomplishments and inventions are merely extensions of what came before. there was not great single event that created the religion.
sorry if this is all old news to you. i was looking for a way to describe the evolution of the faith and this was the best way i could think of to do it.
