On 13/14 April, Sikhs around the world will celebrate the festival of Vaisakhi. In 1699 Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru, created the Khalsa, the community of initiated Sikhs. The formation of the Khlasa marked the fruition of the vision nurtured and demonstrated for over two centuries by nine earlier Gurus. It also formalised the initiation ceremony, Amrit Sanchar, by which Sikhs take on a distinctive physical and spiritual identity through the wearing of the five articles of faith known as the Panj Kakaar (5K’s) and the Dastaar (turban).The order of the Khalsa was established to set free the human spirit, to bring about a rebirth through a spiritual re-kindling which would ignite in people’s hearts and minds the virtues of utter humility, compassion, forgiveness, steadfastness, selflessness, altruism, truth, commitment, contentment and love.
The Khalsa was to embody the message of the first Guru and founder of the Sikh Dharam, Guru Nanak, that peace-building starts with establishing peace within ourselves. To establish such peace, we need to live in a state of constant connection with God. Our spiritual disconnection spells death and destruction; ‘Akha jeeva visray mar jao, akhan aukha sachanau..’ – one is only truly alive and awakened when one is connected and attuned to the Infinite Creator. The Khalsa embodies a commitment to lead a God-conscious life and to serve creation.
May Vaisakhi inspire us to work together for a just, harmonious, and peaceful world.
