Chapter II, Hinduism, Appendix on Sikhism, Summary and Analysis

Hindus tend to look at Sikhs as wayward Hindus, although Sikhs reject that idea. The emphasis in Sikhism is on God alone rather than any organized religion. In that respect, the two entities are remarkably alike in that Hindus have the ultimate goal of God. Originally, there were ten gurus in the Sikh religion, who were ultimately displaced by the written words of sacred wisdom. The institution of the Khalsa, or the five Ks (since all parts begin with the letter K), gives purity to the Sikh order. Those Ks include uncut hair (usually tied up in a turban), the comb for good order, a steel bracelet that binds the wearer to God, a dagger (symbolic of self-defense), and undershorts (replacing the Indian dhoti), as a symbol of preparedness. The Sikh...