Baptism Quote by Lepel H. Griffin
““...Of the Hindu, of whatever caste, it may be said, as of the poet, nascitur non fit . His birth status is unalterable. But with the Sikh the exact reverse is the case. Born of a Sikh father, he is not himself counted of the faith until, as a grown boy, he has been initiated and received the baptism of the pahul at the Akal Bungah or some equally sacred place.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Sikh Religion, by Lepel H. Griffin, 1915
The quote explains that Hindu caste is fixed at birth, whereas Sikh identity is earned through initiation and baptism later in life.
In simple terms: Hindu caste is permanent; Sikh faith is chosen after birth.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that religious identity can be a matter of personal commitment.
Themes
identity
religion
social structure
caste
initiation
Mood
reflective
informative
Type
educational
explanatory
When to use this quote
- community integration
- interfaith dialogue
- personal spiritual journeys
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
Sikhism
caste system
ritual
social mobility
Questions to Reflect On
- How does initiation shape personal identity?
- Can social structures be changed through ritual?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue that birth still influences Sikh identity in practice.
![“The Church received from the apostles the tradition of giving baptism even to infants. The apostles, to whom were committed the secrets of the divine sacraments, knew there are in everyone innate strains of [original] sin, which must be washed away through water and the Spirit” quote by Origen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb8/origen-12126_apostles_the-church-received-from-the-apostles-th_199967.jpg)