For nearly a century, anthropologists have studied the lives of immigrants and their children by engaging in ethnographic encounters in which these families carry out daily tasks. While ethnographers often focus on everyday practice, it is important to note that the incorporation of immigrants into the broader culture "involves the interaction of transnational, national, and local processes." Although questions of scale are not new to anthropology, the dilemma has re-emerged with force as ethnographers have begun to study globalization. Many recent sociological works on the incorporation of immigrants emphasize multi-scale factors. In these analyses, the immigrant experience is framed in terms of assimilation and acculturation. In these analyses, culture is defined as the beliefs, values, identities, and traditions that individuals and groups possess and, as they integrate into the larger culture, choose to retain or leave behind them. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get an Original EssayMany anthropologists working in the field of immigrant studies have noted that places of worship can, in addition to spiritual needs, serve community spaces where immigrants can express, maintain or transgress their identity, as well as transmit these traditions to future generations. Participating in Gurdwara activities helps newly immigrated Sikh-Americans find their place in their community. According to the American Psychological Association, civic engagement is defined as individual and collective actions designed to identify and resolve issues of public concern. Through civic engagement and seva (selfless service to God, or Waheguru), Sikhs not only contribute to the public good, but also strengthen and create individual and collective identities. In this study, I will examine the broader cultural challenges faced by Sikhs around the world, focus on the practices practiced in a local Sikh gurdwara, and explain many universal Sikhi themes and practices. The type of seva required may vary from gurdwara to gurdwara. . For example, at many locations, a designated volunteer takes visitors' shoes. Some of these volunteers pick up the shoes, bow to them and even shine them. The purpose of this seva is not only to maintain the cleanliness of the shoe room, but it also serves to practice humility for the volunteer. In many Indian Gurdwaras, clean drinking water is offered to those who need it during hot summers. Many wealthier Gurdwaras also have accommodation for the caretaker in addition to basic amenities such as a kitchen, bed and personal toilet. In many Gurdwaras there is a category of seva called "garden maintenance" which involves keeping the building, both inside and out, clean and beautiful. Although devotional services vary according to the needs of each particular community, each Gurdwara performs Langar, which involves feeding a nutritious vegetarian meal to everyone present. Families at the Sikh Gurdwara take turns cooking for the community every Sunday of the month, every week of the year. According to Sikhi, seva should never be stopped under any conditions. The Sikh place of worship always emphasizes that anyone, regardless of caste, creed, race or religion, can sponsor (fund) or cook for Langar Seva at the Gurdwara. During Langar, those who eat sit on the ground in linesstraight, representing the Sikhs. belief that everyone is equal before God and that no one has a higher or lower status in the realm of Waheguru. This concept was introduced by Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhi, designed to uphold the principle of equality among all. This concept and ethic of sharing, community, inclusion and unity of all humanity was radical in 15th century India. In June 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered a military assault on the Golden Temple, the most important religious center for Sikhs in the country. Amristar, Punjab. The attack killed thousands of civilians, and in October 1984, Mrs Gandhi was assassinated by two of her own Sikh bodyguards. His assassination reportedly sparked a nationwide genocide, and at the height of the violence, the death of a Sikh was occurring at the rate of one per minute. In three days, nearly three thousand innocent Sikhs were murdered. In America, Sikhs do not face the same stigma as they do in India. However, violent attacks against Sikhs in the United States increased after September 11, 2001. Many acts of violence are followed by xenophobic remarks against Muslims, meaning that hostility toward Sikhs in America comes of misplaced anger towards Muslims, political tensions after 2001. Something quite It is important to note the difference between Sikhism and Sikhi. The term "Sikhism" was coined by Europeans in the 19th century and is not native to the Indian lexicon. Those who only scratch the surface of Sikhi will fail to recognize Sikhism as "what modern English-speaking consciousness understands as the religion of the Sikhs." Sikhi refers to “an internal fluidity that cannot be reduced to pluralism and that conveys a sense of qualitative difference through a process of shedding the ego while maintaining a particular identity.” In Punjabi, the term Sikhi means learning from one's guru and, unlike Sikhism, does not represent an object but a process of self-transformation. An important aspect of Sikhi and other South Asian religions is the concept of dharma. According to Buitenen, dharma "has no real equivalent in the terminology of European languages" and is difficult to define in terms of Western thought because it is a term encompassing institutions, a way of thinking and a way of living. However, dharma could be loosely defined as the universal right of everyone to achieve a state of self-realization and act without ego. Yet dharma is much more than that, for Guru Nanak Dev Ji states that those who have experienced this ineffable state of realization do not follow meaningless religious rituals, but are firmly connected to dharma, the natural order experienced by the the individual in the state of consciousness. loss of ego.Sikhi is a monotheistic religion founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the town of Amristar in the Punjab region of India. An estimated 30 million people worldwide follow Sikhi, the majority of them of Punjabi ethnicity. The religion is based on three basic principles: hard work, worship of the divine name (nam japo) and sharing what one has (vand cauko). Sikhs believe in reincarnation, the idea that once this life is over, one will take on another life based on one's karma. The law of Karma states that just as our present life is the result of our past Karma, present Karma will determine the future life. According to Sikhi, the individual's efforts are necessary to improve his own condition. Additionally, karma can be changed through prayer and the grace of God. Initiated Sikhs, also known as Khalsa, can easily be identified, as they carry five symbolic representations of their faith, known as"Five Ks", which means: Kesh, or uncut hair, with the aim of minimizing the alteration of God's creation. Kangha is a small comb which is a symbol of cleanliness and reminds that life should be tidy and organized. Kara, a circular iron bracelet that reminds Sikhs to do God's work, but also serves as a symbol of attachment and unbreakable commitment to God, and a reminder to follow Guruji's teachings. Kirpan is an unusable dagger that serves as a reminder to defend one's faith. Sikhs who have finally been initiated wear kaccha, a special piece of underwear that recalls the control of sexual desire. Devout Sikhs, regardless of their country of residence, wear these symbols as individual reminders of their faith. The datsar, or turban, is a clear identifier of a Sikh. The turban is obligatory for Sikh men, but optional for Sikh women. The turban serves many purposes, one of which is simply to keep the hair untangled and clean, and the other is to keep the energy of God inside the body during prayer or entering a Gurdwara. According to Sikhi, there are four stages in spiritual evolution. The first is Manmukh, who is a self-centered person who is only interested in the material world. The second is called a Sikh, and this person is anyone who seeks to learn more about God, or Waheguru. Khalsa is the third stage and is defined as one who is totally devoted to Sikhi and has washed away his ego to focus only on God and the memory of Guru Nanak Ji. The fourth and final stage is titled Gurmukh, and one of these stages has achieved mukhti, or salvation, and is totally God-centered. Although there are individual identities within Sikhi, immigrants in particular often have a multifaceted identity after moving to their home country. new house. Sikhs do not have any particular or religious view of their ancestors, but it is important to note that almost all Sikhs are descendants of ancestors who were originally Hindu rather than Muslim. Until the 1980s, many Sikhs did not consider themselves to be part of a distinct religious community. Funeral rites include cremation, usually on the same day of death, unless travel is necessary for family members. Before the body is cremated, the corpse is washed and dressed in traditional Sikh clothing. The coffin is taken to the gurdwara and placed in front of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. A Punjabi prayer is recited, reminding friends and family that death is only a "short sleep before rebirth and that everyone must remember Waheguru in the hope of escaping rebirth and achieving moksha.” In the early 20th century, Sikhs began to migrate to the United States. . Many recent Sikh immigrants came to the United States as students or with a pre-existing college degree in their possession. Many Sikh immigrants have experience in higher education, which not only aligns with the group's belief in hard work, but also helps Sikh immigrants qualify for higher-paying jobs, making the transition to a new country a little easier than it would otherwise be. However, it is important to note that immigration not only results in a previous identity, but also the gradual formation of a new identity, making it quite difficult, if not impossible, to make generalizations about the Sikh diaspora. The Gurdwara functions not only as a place of worship, but as a place of meetings and cultural gatherings for Sikhs. The first Gurdwara, the Golden Temple, which is now in the Narowal district of western Punjab...