Sects of Sikhism
[1][2] The major historic traditions in Sikhism, says Professor Harjot Oberoi, have included Udasi, Nirmala, Nanakpanthi, Khalsa, Sahajdhari, Namdhari Kuka, Nirankari and Sarvaria.
[9][10] Another significant Sikh break off sect of the 19th century was the Radha Soami movement in Agra led by Shiv Dayal Singh, who relocated it to Punjab.
Udasi, derived from the Sanskrit word "Udasin",[22]: 78 meaning "detached, journey", reflecting an approach to spiritual and temporal life,[23] is an early sect based on the teachings of Guru Nanak's elder son Sri Chand (1494–1643), who, contrary to his father's emphasis on participation in society, propagated ascetic renunciation and celibacy.
[23] They first came to prominence in the 17th-century,[22] and gradually began to manage Sikh shrines and establishments in the 18th century,[25] from where they espoused a model of Sikhism that diverged considerably from that of the Khalsa.
[22] The combination of Hindu devas and the Sikh religious text indicated that the sect evolved over time under many historical influences and conditions,[23] interpreting the message of Guru Granth Sahib in monistic Vedantic terms.
[26] They were initially largely based in urban centers where they set up their establishments, or akharas, only beginning to spread into rural areas during Sikh rule.
[23] With a wide reach due to their syncretic nature between Sikhism and Hinduism, they were able to derive significant acceptance during the era of armed struggle in Punjab, bringing a large number of people into the Sikh fold during the 18th and the early 19th centuries.
[33][34][35][37][38] Baba Gurupat conducted missionary works in Sindh and founded many Jagiasu tikanas (seats; a term for a place of worship in many Sikh sects) in the region, specifically in Khairpur, Hyderabad, Halani, and Kandyaro.
[41] Gangushahis still exist today, albeit in small numbers, inhabiting the Shivalik Hills region, particularly in the areas of Jauharsar, Pinjaur, Dagshai, and Nahan.
[56][57] The name of the sect was derived from the phrase Sat Kartar (literally "True Creator"), which was often uttered and repeated by Bhai Sangtia (a Sodhi from Lahore), whom was initiated into the Sikh religion by Guru Arjan in 1593.
Aurangzeb objected to a verse in the Sikh scripture (Asa ki Var) that stated, "the clay from a Musalman's grave is kneaded into potter's lump", considering it an insult to Islam.
[73] Dhir Mal's great-grandson, Bikram Singh, would later give up connections to the sect and be baptized into the Khalsa order and become a mainstream Sikh.
[79] They observe the same birth and death rituals as the Hindu ascetics and have an akhara (martial organization) in Haridwar,[79] and a number of deras in Punjab (India).
[82] They created many books and writings which explained some of the Sikh Scriptures, such as the famous Faridkot Teeka, which provides a complete exegesis of the Guru Granth Sahib, very similar to the Islamic tafsir.
Main Article: NihangThe armed Sikh warrior organization called the Nihangs or Akalis, which means "the immortals,"[89] was founded in the Indian subcontinent.
Some Nihang groups consume small amounts of crushed cannabis in a drink called shaheedi degh (ਭੰਗ), purportedly to help in meditation.
Modern Damdami Taksal (Jatha Bhindran-Mehta) claims direct historical ties to Guru Gobind Singh,[98] who entrusted them with the responsibility of teaching the analysis (vichār/vidya) and recitation of the Sikh scriptures (santhya).
[108] The Bandais were noted for changing the Khalsa dress code colours from blue to red, using the greeting and jaikara (war-cry): Fateh Darshan (meaning 'bear witness to the victory'), and were staunch vegetarians.
[115] Gulab Rai kept baptizing new initiates into his sect with the Charan-Pahul ceremony, which had already been replaced in mainstream Sikhism by Guru Gobind Singh's Khande di Pahul innovation.
[126] Despite these challenges, the Namdhari Sikhs, under the leadership of Satguru Hari Singh, continued to maintain their religious practices and their struggle for independence, albeit under much more difficult circumstances.
To bring different Sikh sects onto one platform, Satguru Partap Singh organized “Guru Nanak Sarv Sampradaya”in 1934 at Sri Bhaini Sahib.
[128] Tatla mentions how influential figures like Satguru Jagjit Singh 'brought standards of social and religious judgement among overseas Sikh communities much closer to the Punjabi society'.
[145]: 266 In the Neeldhari maryada, many similarities can be linked to the Namdhari code of conduct, such as rising early in the morning, removing kamarkasa, urinating or defecating, brushing, bathing, and changing their bana (clothes).
[166] The 3HO sect (abbreviation for 'Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization') is a western group that emerged in 1971, founded by Harbhajan Singh, popularly known as Yogi Bhajan.
[note 4][170] The group challenged many long-standing beliefs and practices of Sikhism, creating enemies with traditionalist and conservative sectors of Sikhs as a result.
[176][177] The sect was unorthodox, influenced by the Bhakti movement and Sufism in regards to devotion, and criticized caste divisions and discrimination occurring at the time in society.
[179][180] Giani Ditt Singh was associated with the sect in his early life as a preacher, where he was known as Sant Ditta Ram, before he was adopted into mainstream Sikhism.
[113] The sect never had a large amount of followers and its numbers dwindled when Patiala State banned their entry due to their sexually expressive and liberal acts, which went against the mainstream social norm.
[113] Some of the Radhasoami movement, a contemporary Sant Mat tradition, have linked Guru Gobind Singh, and therefore the lineage of Sikh gurus, to Tulsi Sahib of Hathras by claiming that Guru Gobind Singh passed on leadership to a supposed individual named Ratnagar Rao, who then passed on the mastership to Tulsi Sahib of Hathras.
[182] However, there is no evidence that Ratnagar Rao actually existed and this claim first arose with Kirpal Singh, possibly as an effort to link the Radhasoami movement to the lineage and teachings of Sikhism.
