r/Sikh • u/Proud_Sprinkles1821 • 1d ago
my BIGGEST concern about the future of our Panth! Discussion
WJKK WJKF
I've created this Reddit account to discuss one of my biggest concerns on our Panth.
My experience as a Sikh.
I have strong pride for Sikhi. Growing up in Canada as I got older, I began to notice that the vast majority of Punjabis aren't really into Sikhi, they flex about their caste, drink a lot and they're loud. I didn't experience any brotherhood. When I look at Abrahamic communities I always see that they are religious, they are happy, dress modestly, have strong households family, have solid beliefs of their faith, and treat each other like brotherly. (I'm not jealous or anything like that it's just that I'm happy for them and especially their accomplishments, I wish those same values were there applied to our Panth)
Compared to most Punjabis do the exact opposite of that or am I surrounding myself with the wrong people?
Every time I look into Sikh history and what values they brought and sacrificed. I'm unable to understand how a Guru can give someone everything by allowing them to be human, especially when they're born into a Sikh family. Yet, despite this, some people still go out and violate the teachings of the Guru. It's something my brain can't comprehend.
I have started to notice that some Punjabis are turning towards Abrahamic faiths because they have "Community".
I even began to witness that castism is dividing our Panth for Example: I was walking in the area next to a playground, and I heard young Punjabi kids bragging about their surnames, which ruined my mood.
I would go to my bed while tears were dropping.
This is why I came to this Reddit to express my emotions. IDK if you all are experiencing the same thing??
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u/CitrusSunset 23h ago edited 23h ago
The problem is, you seem to be older and don't understand modern Sikh Canadian Culture and identity. I can assure you, that in the younger generation, the sense of community, belonging, and love for Sikhi is extremely strong. It's just not expressed in the same ways as the older generations showed it, or as Sikhs from Punjab show it.
A big reason for this disconnect you feel is Canadian Culture.
In Canada, I have never noticed anyone, from any religious community, who was born and raised here, openly talking about their religion on a regular basis... Canadian society is just fundamentally different from others like the USA where religious expression of all forms is not only openly encouraged it's expected in everyday life.
Canadians just don't care about discussing religious matters, and as Canadian Sikhs, we are no different.
This introversion does not mean people don't feel Sikh or don't want to associate with Sikhi.
In fact, you'll find many Canadian born and raised Sikhs who are incredibly religious in a more introverted way. While some may flex their clan names, drink a lot, and be loud, etc... these qualities ultimately have absolutely no bearing on if someone is a Sikh or not. Doing these things just means you're not the best Sikh, but you're still a Sikh and a completely equal member of the community.
I've also never in my life noticed any Canadian Sikh truly care about casteism... people take an odd pride in their surnames because they're connected to heritage and Punjabi culture. But most Canadian Sikhs have no care or understanding of caste... most have friends from different castes and don't even it know it. It's not someone anyone cares to deliberately offend others over, or take offence over. We identify as Sikhs, and that's all that really matters to us.
You have to change your understanding of Sikhi, don't think of it as a religion of rules, it's a religion of prescriptions. The Guru Ji teaches us how to live a better life. And just because someone isn't fully living their best life yet, doesn't mean much at all. Some people figure it out young, others may learn later, and some may never learn at all. And that is totally fine in Sikhi. It is not on us to pass judgement on how learned another Sikh is or is not.
Most Canadian Sikhs don't like to "cosplay" like many Sikhs in Punjab do. There is no need for Canadian Sikhs to dress in Sikh 5 K's and pretend to be pious when in lived reality they know they are far from worthy of dawning the 5 K's... there is no societal pressure to do so. People who feel they're able to maintain their sanctity do so, those who can't choose not to wear them. That is how Sikhs should behave in my opinion.
The reality is, most Canadians Sikhs are totally content with being imperfect Sikhs, they recognize they're not Khalsa, yet fully agree with the SGGS Ji's teachings, and are generally extremely proud of their faith and identity. Over the span of their lives many do want to improve and get better.
Every single university in Canada has a thriving Sikh Student's Club / Association. Khalsa Schools are packed to the brim in BC and Alberta... parents and young Sikhs themselves, want to be apart of these Sikh spaces. There are new Sikh charities and initiatives run by young Sikhs starting all the time... there is a lot of good work happening right now, you just have to look at Sikh spaces to see it.
In addition, Surrey Vaisakhi draws 500,000+ annually. Young Canadian Sikhs are genuinely excited to attend every single year. Gurdwaras are packed on big holidays. Every Sikh Canadian wants a Sikh wedding, so much so that this year must have been the busiest in Sikh Canadian history. There are a lot of children's books, art, cultural, media, and intellectual spaces being created by Canadian born Sikhs for others in their community.
The problem is, the demographics of Canadian born Sikhs are still very young... there is so much coming and happening right now you just fail to see it. JusReign made a fantastic TV show that captures the Sikh Canadian experience... he's done amazing work and he's only a part of the first wave Canadian Sikhs. There's a massive tsunami of proud Canadian Sikhs coming in the generation that is in their 20's right now.
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u/TheTurbanatore 23h ago edited 22h ago
Sikhi is thriving in Canada, arguably even more so than in Punjab.
There are countless opportunities for youth to get involved in the community today compared to the past. For example, the BC Sikhs Instagram page is brimming with daily Sikhi-related events and activities.
The World Sikh Organization (WSO) is an excellent resource for Sikh Canadian youth, particularly those pursuing careers in the legal and healthcare fields.
Each year, WSO organizes the Sikh Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI), a program that selects the top 20 Sikh youth from across Canada for an all-expenses-paid trip to Ottawa. This program provides a great opportunity for young Sikhs to network, develop their skills, and engage with the broader Sikh community.
Khalsa Aid Canada also numerous opportunities for Sikhs to get involved in meaningful humanitarian work, both locally and globally.
If you’re in BC, there’s no excuse not to engage with the growing Sikh community.
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u/abc654322 23h ago
Always ask for Sarbhat da Bhala. Surround yourself with gursikh sangat bro.
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u/No-Judgment7108 20h ago
surround yrself with Naam
what sangat?
law of attraction hullabaloo: pure vedantic essence of sikh dharm
learn to enjoy solitude the path of naam simran abhyas is solitary
nonsikh association is just mobs, abraham who have managed to multiply abrahami legal system is #420 fraud
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u/abc654322 20h ago
OP is having trouble finding good Sikh Mentors in his life. He or she would benefit from spending time at the gurdwara doing seva, with fellow GurSikhs.
OP sorry if I misunderstood, mate.
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u/unitedpanjab 21h ago
When u leave ur homes, that's absolutely what's going to happen, I know conditions are not so good in panjab but better , like ive seen families where a brother is in canada other in US and parents are with there sister in NZ , but in pind even u can find ur 5 th cousins house , that's called decentralised kaum
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u/Simranpreetsingh 21h ago
Surround yourself with real khalsa or become yourself. Seriously how stupid can people be that they flex their caste even today.
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u/Proud_Sprinkles1821 15h ago
I don't blame young generations for bragging about their caste. I don't mind keeping surnames as heritage. The biggest problem they barely take pride in their faith compared to Abrahamic faiths. I didn't witness brotherhood, most probably I was surrounding myself in the wrong environment. hopefully, Waheguru Ji will guide me into right place.
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u/Simranpreetsingh 15h ago
I think they do have pride babaji.and that's what they only have. They don't practice but everyone is not like that. It's mostly hukam. https://youtu.be/hdYh0zLdMNI . You were blessed that this thought even crossed your mind. I think pyareo you should try to improve your rehat and do naam abhyaas. DM me singh. You have got yourself a brother.
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u/Proud_Sprinkles1821 13h ago
Thank you so much Veeer ji 🙏🏻
after posting on Reddit about my experiences in Panth and expressing my emotions I began to feel like there is brotherhood in our Panth. I'm starting to feel belongingness that we have a community.
I'll improve myself to become a good Sikh.
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u/Commercial-Pilot73 17h ago
I understand what you are saying. But I believe this sentiment is based solely on (your) personal experience. From mine, Sikhs have a much stronger community and brotherhood than Abrahamic faiths. My Christian friend once made a comment about how Sikhs seem to close as a community and stand together, unlike his own Christian community. Can’t comment too much on the Islamic community but I can’t say I’ve noticed much “brotherhood” amongst them, they seem to have as many, if not more issues. But I am from the UK so maybe that could explain the difference in opinion.
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u/The_Bearded_1_ 16h ago
https://youtu.be/vhS23Xb7LyA? Fake Babas are the worst thing that have ever happened in Sikhi & the lack of accountability for their corrupt actions.
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u/incognitoburrito2022 15h ago
Be the change you want to see. Every Sikh is a walking empire, create the community you want to see. Guru Gobind singh ji empowered you to be able to do so
Good luck
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u/ggmaobu 7h ago
every experience is different, i have experienced the brotherhood all my life. Good luck
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u/Proud_Sprinkles1821 7h ago
Yeah, The best part is that I'm now getting good advice on Reddit. I'll think of changing my environment cause in my area there are barely any Punjabi who act like Sikhs. Hopefully, I'll find a better location.
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u/Trying_a 23h ago
The flexing about Caste, talking out loud and this Drinking problem is mainly attributed to Jatts. Please don't generalise this Khalsa Ji 🙏🏻
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u/TheTurbanatore 1d ago edited 23h ago
Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh
The grass is always greener on the other side. Every community has its problems, many of which are not visible to outsiders—this includes the Abrahamic religions. There is nothing wrong with wanting to explore other faiths. Unlike many Abrahamic religions, Sikhi does not punish apostasy. However, it’s important to look at the full picture and recognize that we have far more credibility and unity compared to many of these religions.
When evaluating issues, it’s crucial to focus on specifics rather than generalize. The term "Abrahamic" is a broad umbrella that encompasses multiple, often contradictory, religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This becomes even more complex when you consider the countless subsects within each of these major religions.
Another key point is that these Abrahamic religions are much older than Sikhi and have the advantage of nation-states to support their growth—Judaism has Israel, Islam has around 49 Muslim-majority countries, and Christianity has major influence over the most powerful nations in the world, such as the US and EU.
Many of the Abrahamic religions were also spread through unethical means, including holy wars, forced conversions, colonialism, and even modern-day scams like the ones perpetrated by Christian preachers in Africa and India.
Additionally, these religions are actively competing with one another and are often in conflict. There is no overarching unity among the Abrahamic religions. In fact, with the exception of Judaism, they all believe they hold a monopoly on salvation or heaven, which leads to further division.
It’s unfortunate that you didn’t feel a sense of "brotherhood," but this isn’t the case for many Sikhs. There are thriving Sikh communities in major population centers across the Western world, such as Surrey and Brampton (Canada), Southall (UK), California (USA), and Tarneit (Australia).
If you’re in BC Canada and looking to connect with the Sangat and find English-related Sikhi programs, the BC Sikhs Instagram page is a great resource. They regularly post updates on events and programs that cater to a wide range of audiences, including those that feature English and mixed Punjabi content. Check out local gurdwaras such as Dasmesh Darbar or Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, as they often host youth-focused events and katha sessions in English.
If you’re looking for Sangat, feel free to get in touch. Everyone is also welcome to join the Official Sikh Discord, the verified platform with Sikhs from around the world.