On November 12, 2019, the world celebrated the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, an apostle of peace. On the same day India and Pakistan opened the Kartapur Sahib Corridor connecting the two holiest Sikh Shrines in India and Pakistan. This has enabled a free passage to thousands of devotees to visit the holy place.
Jainism is one of the oldest while Sikhism is the youngest religion of the World. In terms of population, Sikhism is the 5th largest and Jainism the 6th largest in the world. Both religions are minority in India. There is so much in common between the two religions. Since the birth of Guru Nanak Dev and Sikhism, Jains and Sikhs have been working and walking together. This is a living and true example of interfaith dialogue, inter-dependence, co- existence, respect, cooperation, sharing, caring and helping each other. In this article, we provide a quick glimpse of this rich and impressive history (past and present).
Lot of history of Jains and Sikhs are inter-twined. 2,600 years ago, Bhagwan Mahavir was born in Bihar and Jainism flourished in Bihar. Patna (Bihar) is where much of Sikh history was made. Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Govind Singh Ji lived in Patna. Guru Govind Singh Ji was born in Patna (Bihar). 350 years ago Salis Rai Johri, a prominent Jain in Patna; hosted Guru Teg Bahadur and his family on his way to Assam. Wife of Guru Teg Bahadur, Mata Gujri stayed with this Jain family for several years. In this Jain household Guru Govind Singh was born and grew up to the age of 6. Later this Jain family donated a piece of land for the dharamshala and eventually the Sri Patna Sahib Takht (a Sikh Holy place and place of worship) was built there. This same Jain Johri also built a Jain Temple next door. The Jain temple and Sikh Gurudwara on the same land next to each other in the same campus just separated by a simple wall are a unique example of respect for each other. Sikhs and Jains have never harmed, quarreled or destroyed each other’s places of worship.
Jains and Sikhs together made Ludhiana a hosiery capital of the world. The Punjabi University in Patiala has a Dept. of Jainology. All Sikh Maharajas who ruled states in Punjab have employed Jains in very important positions because of the Jains trust and honesty. Jains and Sikhs have not only co-existed but have provided safety and shelters to each other.
Ahimsa (non-violence) is the core Principle of Jains. A Jain is known by the practice of Ahimsa in all his/her Professions and walks of life. Sikhs Practice Ahimsa by Seva (Service to others) to the needy and afflicted in distress and in natural and man-made calamities and their practice of free langars (since last 550 years) throughout the world is the hallmark of Sikh tradition. Jains and Sikhs doesnot have caste system and stand for equal rights and respect for all humans including women. Both Jainism and Sikhism are least known and most misunderstood in the West.
Academic study of Jainism and Sikhism has significantly lagged behind of other Indic religions in North America. Jain and Sikh Community leaders are closing this gap by establishing Centers for Jain and Sikh Studies. Let us work together even more to learn from the beauties of each tradition and dismantle all the walls of hatred and mistrust. This is the real and true message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
