In 300 Years, Will a Sikh Wear a Kirpan or a Lightsaber?

Dear Spn-Sangat
Recently my Amritdhari brother in law was robbed in Texas by an armed man.He wears a Sri Sahib but when the gun was pointed directly in his face he decided being a family man that it was better to give the gunman what he wanted which was money in this case.This got me thinking ,with around three hundred years having passed since the Khalsa started wearing kirpan's ,will we never change this for another side arm. The kirpan was the sidearm of choice when my Guru walked this earth, but in another 300 years a body armour may be available which steel cannot penetrate or lightsabers and laser guns may become the norm of the day.The question is will we still wear our kirpan even if it no longer a viable sidearm or as protective to others? Sangat is my advisor so I humbly ask this question of you.

 
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sBu ko bolY Awpx BwxY ] Everyone speaks as they please.

sinner ji

He did the prudent thing. This is what all law enforcement tell you to do. There are times for heroism. This is not one.

After 1699, the kirpan was more than a side-arm. Today it means more than a weapon.

And we all have to be careful according to the laws for carrying a weapon concealed on in the open. If this terrible crime had happened in Arizona, not Texas, your dear one woud have been empowered to wear a knife in the open right on his belt. In fact required, because in that state carrying concealed is forbidden. Often that serves as a deterrent. The hold up might have never occurred. In another state it would be illegal. I am guessing that light sabers will in the future be covered by the same kinds of legal regulation. Or not allowed at all as the forces of power are doing their best to keep tight clamps on all of us.

Dear Admin Ji

I maybe looking for utility because I feel our Guru primarily would provide us with useful articles.I agree my brother in law thankfully did the right thing, but I suspect he may have bought a gun since the incident.

I understand. I actually know someone who converted to Sikhism because it was the only religion that he felt supported the "right to bear arms" 2nd amendment to the US constitution. He devoted most of his energy in sangat, when I knew him, to convincing the men they should start self defense groups. It seems he was frequently accosted because of his turban... actually a rarity in this neck of the woods. So no one really took him seriously but love him nonetheless. A lovable kook, but our kook.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/questions-and-answers/36798-300-years-will-sikh-wear-kirpan.html

The situation in days to come will do less to support and more to suppress any bearing of "lightsabres." And most other weapons. Except in a few states such as Arizona and Georgia where weaponry is expected. Then the prob is the prudent Gursikh is going to be hard to distinguish from a crazed, minority hating yahoo. Ergo......dastar and kesh are even more essential

IMHO, the five Ks will stay as it is. In the coming years or centuries, there will be people who will be able to understand the real purpose and divinity of the 5Ks, and not just look at these superficially.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36798

Warm Regards.

Kirpan(Sword) in Sikhism - A Symbol of Benevolence and Dignity
by: Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD, FICS

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Kirpan, which can be literally translated into sword, has a much deeper meaning in the Sikh religion. It consists of two words, Kirpa and Aan. The word Kirpa means benevolence and the word Aan means dignity. Therefore Kirpan is a symbol of benevolence and dignity.

Guru Gobind Singh made Kirpan as an integral part of the 5 k’s. The Kesh, meaning hair symbolizes devotion, asceticism, and renunciation. The hair is associated with spirituality in many other religions. But Guru Gobind Singh made Kangha (comb) also one of the five k’s, which symbolizes order and organization as well as purity and cleanliness. Karha the iron bangle around the wrist is the symbol of universality. Kachara the underwear is the symbol of piousness and sexual purity.

It is Kirpan, which imparts uniqueness to the Sikh religion. Guru Gobind Singh in the worship of Kirpanicalls it a symbol of justice, equality and struggle against oppression and discrimination and exploitation. The Guru Hails Kirpan as the liberator and sustainer of mankind and the destroyer of the oppressors and the exploiters. He also sees Kirpan as a symbol of bravery and knowledge because it can dispel cowardice and ignorance. He sees celestial beauty in the shining Kirpan.

The Guru asks us to worship Kirpan as one of the aspects of God. As opposed to the Judeo Semitic concept of creation, which considers the creation as a separate act of God that created the universe in 6 days, from Monday to Saturday and then rested on Sunday, the Sikh religion sees the creation as an uninterrupted and constant act. The Sikh religion believes that the creation has 3 aspects symbolized by Barhama, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva). Barhama symbolizes creation, Vishnu symbols sustenance and Shiva symbolizes destruction.
Destruction is an integral part of construction because without destroying the worn out old, room cannot be created for the emerging new.

The outlook and attitude of the Sikh religion to Kirpan is fundamentally different than the others who generally view sword as a symbol of power and domination. The sword can generate and encourage arrogance. Arrogance always leads to ignorance.Kirpan constantly reminds the Sikhs of the power of the Almighty. Therefore Kirpan should promote humility. As arrogance and ignorance like each other’s company similarly humility and knowledge go together.

It is very important in the contemporary world that we use our power as Kirpan and not as a sword. Whereas Kirpan was used by Guru Gobind Singh to liberate the oppressed people, the sword of the colonialists was used to enslave the other people and nations.

The judicious use of force can help us to change the outdated old world order, which has outlived its usefulness and has become redundant and irrelevant.

The only way peace and harmony can be kept in the world and prosperity maintained is by upholding principals of equality, fairness, justice, benevolence and showing respect for other peoples beliefs and values.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36798

We can only suppress others temporarily until they are strong enough to fight against the oppressor. On the other hand benevolence, compassion, universal concern and universal well-being are principles which can lead to a lasting peace and progress. This is the global perspective of Guru Nanak. What we should understand is that Guru Gobind Singh raised Kirpan not only to uphold the principles of Guru Nanak but also to give a practical shape to those principles.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36798

Dr. Sawraj Singh is Chairman of Washington State Network for Human Rights, and Chairman of Central Washington Coalition for Social Justice.

source: http://www.indolink.com/printArticle...d=022405023333

Thankyou for the responses, perhaps I watched too many Star Wars films but I felt the kirpan had a practical purpose as a secondary sidearm for a saint-soldier, I realise it has become an article of faith and has a symbolic dimension.Perhaps the ability to use it for self defence or to defend anyone else for that matter will not be a factor in the future.Maybe a Lightsaber is a kirpan of the future.

Sabres...can be seen in History even as far back as 3000 years..The Romans had sabres..the Vikings had sabres..the Crusaders ahd sabres..King Arthur and his knights had sabres....Alexander carried one.Maharaja Ranjit Singh had one....Queen Elizabeth carries one TODAY !!..and KING HARRY will also carry the same Royal Sword...in decades to come...and those who come after him...will too...
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36798
Modern Armies still have BAYONETS attached..and all Commandos mandatory carry a KNIFE for close combat !!! The Most Modersn Armies still carry knives..are they ok ?? Shouldnt they have discarded swords and knives long ago..esp with nuclear missilses and grenades and missile launchers carried on shoulders ??
Fact is some things NEVER go out !! KIRPAN is " IN"....as long as the KHALSA IS....no matter how many "amrtidharees" and Non-sikhs get MUGGED by armed robbers...carrying GUNS...reminds me of the Scene in a Hollywood movie where the villian rushes at the hero waving a large sword..and almost at the Last Minute..the hero whips out his GUN..and shoots the villan dead....I heard everyone in the cinema laugh out LOUD..LOL...its very PRUDENT of thsi amritdharee to have kept his cool...as every AMRITDHAREE SHOULD at all times....the "kirpan" is NOT a 007 License to KILL !!

Arvind Ji
I disagree if the 5K's are divine, is that not a superficial way of thinking?
(su·per·fi·cial (s p r-f sh l). adj. 1. Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface).The Guru's word is divine and he taught us to act and for that we need the best sabre or sword that is available at a point in time, surely the metal has changed in a kirpan over the past centuries.Sikhism is a very practical religion and everything the Guru gave had a real usefulness ,for example the kanga is used everyday in a practical way.Symbolism was not the primary reason the soldiers carried arms, so practical use I think was the Guru Ji's intention.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36798
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36798
Gyani Ji,True, I guess a sabre is a type a sword, I realise it is not a licence to kill ,against a gun it is probably a licence to be killed!