Hindu and Sikh Views of Spirituality, War, and Violence
Hindu religion
In the Hindu religion, spirituality, war and violence are philosophically interrelated. This is due to the fact that spirituality in Hinduism context seeks to attain a non violent nature towards all living things (Johnston). With regard to spirituality, war as propagated by the Hindu religion should only be employed as the very last option, when all other avenues have failed. As such, the Hindu religion only advocates for war as the instrument of last resort aimed at attaining victory over evil for a just cause.
It is important to note that the Hindu armies of ancient India are considered as having been one of the most valiant in battle and Indian kings essentially lost battles and wars as a result betrayals from close associates (Johnston). Being one of the most sought after regions by all major conquerors of the world, India endured many wars from external aggressors who sought either to access its vast resources or convert the Hindu people to Islam. The Hindu faithful however, managed to fight off many oppressors through numerous non violent means.
The Bhagavad-Gita best illustrates the degree of spirituality exhibited by the Hindu faithful in many instances (Johnston). For example, it refers to the human body as a battlefield such that the soul is in constant war with good evil in an effort to ensure the soul is spiritually clean.
Great leaders of the Indian people such as Tilak and Gandhi sought to fight free of the bonds of oppression instigated upon the Indian people by the Imperial British colonialists (Johnston). Tilak is famous for his famous quote, ‘Swaraj is my birthright and I must have it (Johnston).’ He called upon the Indian people to shun working for the British colonialist in an effort to attain self rule. Gandhi was Tilak’s close ally and voiced the same concerns with respect to British oppression. He also championed for non violent ways to fight colonialism and oppression of the Indian people eventually leading to the independence of the India.
Sikhi religion
Sikhism was founded by the renowned Guru Nanak in the 16th Century Punjabi province in India (Johnston). Guru Nanak taught his followers that the Sikhi religion was only one for propagating peace. As such, Sikhism is a religion the nurtures the soul to envision the universal application of human rights, social justice and self respect. However, Sikhism as a religion evolved to embrace war as an instrument of last result under the leadership of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Nanaj who allowed the Sikh to employ violence as an instrument of last result at the face of oppression instigated against the innocent (Johnston). He had implemented the will of the sixth Nanak known as Guru Har Gobind. The sixth Nanak understood that with the aim of promoting a just and noble cause and offer protection to the innocent, military action was necessary. The Sikh faithful believe that they have to progressively conform to new life values and attitudes in an effort to maintain universal human rights for all, self respect and social responsibilities to the community.
Conclusion
The Sikh approach towards spirituality war and violence is in my view the most appealing considering the current state of world affairs with regard to religion. The Sikh faithful are considered as the first people who openly championed for human rights. This implies that the Sikh respect other religions. The Sikh’s approach to spirituality, war and violence is thus more inclined to peaceful human relations as it encompasses human rights in its teachings such that individuals do not suffer oppression as a result of religious differences.
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Work Cited
Johnston, Douglas M. “Religion and Conflict Resolution.” Notre Dame Law Review 67.5 (2014): 1287.