GEMSOF GURBANI

National Character – 3                                                     

Sharing (vand shakna)

Charity and alms are seen as negative values in Sikhism and are discouraged. Charity is seen as negative value because it adds ego in a person and it provides a religious sanction to clear your conscience which may be laden with the fear of God if one has been doing wrong things like corruption, exploitation, frauds and inhuman excesses on fellow human beings. The concept of charity has been developed by Brahmin in Hinduism as he himself was the receiver of charity in the form of cow, grains, gold, silver etc expensive items in the name of God. In Christianity charity is used as a tool to attract underprivileged people to convert into Christianity. All these acts are made into religious traditions to get sanctions for doing something that may not have the will of the Almighty.

There are others who give charity to earn a name for self and their families. You will find such people giving charity at places where there are large congregations near temples so that people recognize them and say that these are great benefactors. Guru Nanak warns from such fake people and asks to recognize who are sharing with. Because the beneficiaries could be people who are shy of work. He says: Gyan vihuna gaye geet II

               Bhukhe Mulla ghare masit II

               Makhtoo boye eke kann pharaye II

               Phakar kare horeh jaat gawaye  II

               Guru-peer sadaye mangan jaye II        

               Take mul na lagiye paye II       GG.Pg 1245

Meaning: one without divine knowledge sings sermons. The hungry Mullah turns his own home into a mosque. Becoming an idle, a good for nothing he pierces his  ear. Another one adopting mendicancy(beggars who go door to door in religious robes) loses his caste. Do not fall at the feet of those who call themselves Guru or Pir and go begging.

For sharing your earnings he warns from all such disguised beggars. He says: “Khet pachhaniye bije daan II so khatri dargah parwan II GG pg 1411

Meaning: You shall recognize the right fields to sow the seeds of beneficence. Then only you will be acceptable to the Lord.

When Guru Nanak is against charity and alms then why does he wants his followers to develop the character of sharing? Mostly people who come to wealth develop the habit of accumulating their wealth and ego becomes bloated and then they start forgetting the welfare of humanity. Gurus themselves had this bitter experience when they appointed masand for the collection of excess money from the Sikhs from far off places to develop the mission, Langar and Harmandir Sahib. Many of these masand saw cash money flow they started appropriating these funds and also started using pressure to part with the money. Ultimately Guru Gobind Singhji had to stop this practice. The human character becomes weak misuse and corruption starts. Still to build upon a character for sharing is necessary because the work and play of the Almighty cannot be fathomed and humanity can be in dire need of help. For example at the time of natural calamities like floods, earthquakes or any other disasters the fastest help needed can reach if we have that character of sharing. Most large Gurudwaras run langars all over the world and they need to be financed so it is the community sharing that fulfills this need. The help is also provided to the needy and sick. Education institutions and hospital are run by the community. Guru Nanak’s preaching is understood very well. The accompanying character of Sewa or free service has become important features of Sikh ethics. If we have this character of sharing imbibed at national level then we need not wait for the help to come from rich nations at the time of disasters