Dasvandh

Dasvandh (Punjabi: ਦਸਵੰਧ, lit. 'tenth part',^[1] also transcribed as daswandh) is the one tenth part (or 10%) of one's income that one should donate, both financially (as a tithe) and directly in the form of seva, according to Sikh principles.^[2][3][4]

Overview

It falls into Guru Nanak Dev's concepts of Vand Chhako and Kirat karo.^[2][5] The practice was followed during the period of Guru Arjan Dev and many Sikhs still continue to carry out the practice in the present-day.^[6][5] The concept of dasvandh was implicit in Guru Nanak's own line: "ghali khai kichhu hathhu dei, Nanak rahu pachhanahi sei—He alone, O Nanak, knoweth the way who eats out of what he earneth by his honest labour and yet shareth part of it with others" (GG, 1245).^{[1][citation needed]} The idea of sharing and giving was nourished by the institutions of sangat (holy congregation) and langar (community kitchen) the Guru had established. Sikhs believe that whatever one gives in charity, they shall receive back many fold to their benefit in-return in both a material and spiritual sense, as the two realms are inseparable as per Sikh theology.^[7]

History

The practice of charitable giving was preached and spread by Guru Amar Das, followed by Guru Ram Das, and by Guru Arjan.^[8] During the guruship of Guru Amar Das, an authorized institution for managing and spreading the Sikh religion was developed in order to show directions to the Sikhs by preaching them the teachings of Sikh gurus.^[5] Guru Amar Das set up 22 manjis (districts) in various parts of the subcontinent.^[5] Each of these manjis was placed under the charge of a devout Sikh (of either gender) who, besides conducting missionary work, looked after the sangats (local Sikh congregation) of their jurisdiction and imparted the followers' offerings to the Guru.^[5] The construction work of the Harmandir Sahib shrine at Amritsar, whose work began under the watch of Guru Ram Das, was an expensive undertaking, therefore the Sikhs were asked to donate at-least ten percent (dasvandh) of their earnings for funding the construction work as a united, communal effort.^[5] This, the idea of Guru Ki Golak (meaning "Guru's treasury") was devised.^[5] The Masands (ministers and the tithe-collectors) had the responsibility of collecting "kar bhet" (seva offerings) and dasvandh donations from the Sikhs in the region they were stationed in, and to then ensure these were in-turn given to the Guru.^[5]

Hukamnama of the Khalsa addressed to Bhai Mehar Singh and Bhai Mahboob of Patna requesting dasvandh donations to go towards rebuilding the recently desecrated and destroyed Golden Temple, dated 12 April 1759

References to the practice of dasvandh can be found in various writings known as rehitnamas (manuals of Sikh codes of conduct) that were scribed during the era of Guru Gobind Singh or shortly after his period.^[5] As an example, Bhai Nand Lal’s Tankhahnama quotes Gobind Singh as saying the following regarding the practice: "Hear ye Nand Lal, one who does not give dasvandh and, telling lies, misappropriates it, is not at all to be trusted".^[5] The practice has survived due to the efforts of fervent Sikhs in maintaining it.^[5] The practice itself serves both individualistic and communalistic aims, being an outlet for personal religious devotion and as a united communal effort exemplifying the concept of the Guru Panth ("Guru's path").^[5]

One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has - O Nanak, he knows the Path. (1)

— Sri Guru Granth Sahib page 1245 Full Shabad

See also

• Zakat

References

1. Sahni, Sandeep (2021). Dear Son: Life Lessons from a Father. Notion Press. ISBN 9781637815281. 'Dasvandh', which literally means "tenth part", is the tithing practice of contributing a portion of your earnings in the name of your Guru or spiritual source. The principle of Dasvandh is that if you give to the Infinite; Infinity, in turn, will give back to you. It is a spiritual practice through which you build trust in the ability of the Infinite to respond to the flow of love and energy that you give. This energy then expands tenfold and flows back to you in abundance.
   
   As per the Sikh Religion, the Sikhs began bringing offerings during the time of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak (1469-1539) who promoted the concept and virtue of Dasvandh in his bani. He said, ghaal khaa-ay kichh hathahu day-ay. naanak raahu pachhaaneh say-ay.
2. Takhar, Opinderjit Kaur (2016). Sikh Identity: An Exploration of Groups Among Sikhs. Routledge. ISBN 9781351900102. The giving of a tenth of one's earnings, dasvandh, to help those less fortunate, is an ideal of the Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere, and is also an important feature of general Sikh practice. The principle of dasvandh is based on one of the three pillars of Sikhism, that is, vand chakna. A true Sikh is one who practises all three pillars with a sincere heart.
3. "Daswandh". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
4. "Daswandh - Gateway to Sikhism". www.allaboutsikhs.com. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
5. Singh, Harjeet (2009). Faith & Philosophy of Sikhism. Indian religions series. Vol. 4. Gyan Publishing House. p. 227. ISBN 9788178357218.
6. Dhillon, Dalbir Singh (1988). "Evolution of Institutions and Ethical Doctrines". Sikhism: Origin and Development. Atlantic Publishers & Distri. p. 213. This masand system was reorganized by Guru Arjan when he enjoined upon the devotees to offer one-tenth (dasvandh) of their income towards Guru's funds. 'Dasvandh was by no means compulsory but the instance of Guru Arjun on its payment was indeed great. He seems to have insisted on his sangatias to see that they collected henceforth offerings from the Sikhs at the rate amount to one-tenth of their income in the form of dasvandh'. It is not being suggested that collecting the dasvandh from the local sangatias was the only duty of the masand.
7. Khan, Muhammad Salman (2021). God, Gift and Charity: The Case of Zakat and Dasvandh in the Local Governance of Social Welfare Provision in Pakistan. Research in Economic Anthropology. Vol. 41. Emerald Group Publishing. p. 58. ISBN 9781801174343.
8. Holt, James D. (2022). Understanding Sikhism: A Guide for Teachers. Teaching Religions and Worldviews. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781350263192. The other long-lasting impact on Sikhism of the construction of Harmandir Sahib was the introduction of dasvandh by Guru Arian. This was an extension of the charitable giving encouraged by Guru Amar Das, and continued by Guru Ram Das, which required the Sikh to donate 10 per cent of their earnings to the Guru and, by extension, to the Sikh community. It was dasvandh, collected by the masands, that enabled the construction of Harmandir Sahib, but also the continued assistance to people through the langar, and other sewa within the community.