Guru Nanak Looks Chinese In China-Made Idols
After the Chinese-made kirpans (daggers) nearly wiped out local manufacturers of one of the five 'K's of Sikhism, it is the turn of Guru Nanak Dev's idols with 'Chinese characteristics' to flood shops across Punjab.The figurines, which have been in the market for some time, are available for Rs 100-150. They are popular gift items, with the smaller ones finding a perch on car dashboards "since it reassures the driver of divine protection", as one user put it.
The larger versions are seen in restaurants, stacked along with statuettes of deities of other faiths. Not everybody, though, is pleased. In fact, the Sikh clergy have issued directions to the community to refrain from buying these idols.
The order ostensibly stems from the fact that idol worship is banned in Sikhism. Idol worship, including performing of 'aarti', was prohibited by Guru Nanak himself, while Guru Gobind Singh even declared that those indulging in such practices would be ostracised from the faith.
Moreover, the Chinese-made idols sport a Chinese look, like slanted eyes and Mongoloid features.
"Guru Nanak is made to look more like a Lama," said a Sikh wryly, who chanced upon these figurines in a gift shop in Jalandhar. (The Times Of India)
Labels: Religion.
posted by The Malaysian. at 8/13/2007 09:49:00 AM
2 Comments:
Chinese-looking Guru Nanak idols.
Heheheh...that's a good one. Not only it is frowned upon, the idol doesn't look anything like a Sikh guru.
Reminds me of another incident locally where some China made figurines of the Boddhisatva Kuan Yin (usually depicted as a female) were criticised as being too sexy.
Instead of being an object of veneration, it could instigate unholy thoughts among those who see it...
Guru Nanak visited China during his life time, so it is hardly surprising that the Chinese now want to profit from his image. But the Sikhs are against graven images. Guru Nanak was a mortal whilst God has no form or shape in Sikhism. Also does it matter if Guru nanak looks Chinese? My kids sometimes look Chinese (their mum is a Hokkien from Perak) but they are Sikhs. Race does not matter in Sikhism.
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