View source for Kabir panth

 {{Short description|Vaishnava Hindu sect}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox religious group|group=Kabir Panth|image=Painting of bhagat (saint) Kabir (left) with a disciple (right), Mughal school of art.jpg|image_caption=Painting of Kabir (left) with a disciple (right), Mughal school of art|founder=[[Kabir]]|regions=[[Indian subcontinent]] • [[Caribbean]] • [[Oceania]]|religions=[[Sant Mat]]|scriptures=[[Bijak]] among others}}
{{Hinduism}}
{{Vaishnavism}}
{{Sufism}}

'''Kabir Panth''' ({{translation|Path of Kabir}}) is a [[Sant Mat]] denomination and philosophy based on the teachings of the 15th century saint and poet, [[Kabir]]. It is based on devotion to him as one [[guru]] as a means to salvation. The adherents of Kabir Panth are from many religious backgrounds as Kabir never advocated change of religions but highlighted their limitations. According to some scholars, this tradition belongs to the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] denomination of [[Vaishnavism]] with [[Sufism|Sufi]] and [[Universalism|universalist]] leanings.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|year=1987 |orig-year=Rev. ed. 2005 |surname=Dandekar |given=R. N. |author-link=Ramchandra Narayan Dandekar |title=Vaiṣṇavism: An Overview |editor-surname=Eliade |editor-given=Mircea |editor-link=Mircea Eliade |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Religion |place=New York |publisher=MacMillan |volume=14 |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofre0000unse_v8f2}}</ref> In respect of Kabir, his followers celebrate [[Kabir Jayanti]].

== History ==

=== Origin ===
[[File:Painting of bhagat Kabir (seated near the centre of the frame), his son Kamal (fly-whisk attendant; standing to the right), and two of his disciples Surat Gopal (seated left) and Dharam Das (seated right).jpg|thumb|Painting of bhagat Kabir (seated near the centre of the frame), his son Kamal (fly-whisk attendant; standing to the right), and two of his disciples kneeling at the left, them namely being Surat Gopal (kneeling left) and [[Dharamdas|Dharam Das]] (kneeling right). The artwork was located at the Kabir Chaura at Banaras (Varanasi)]]
Kabir did not found any distinct sect in his lifetime, but two of his disciples, Surat Gopal and [[Dharamdas]], later founded centres (known as a ''maṭh'') dedicated to preaching his teachings.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harbans |title=The Encyclopedia of Sikhism |publisher=Punjabi University, Patiala |year=2011 |edition=3rd |volume=2: E-L |pages=405–406}}</ref> These two centres later formed the two main subdivisions or factions of Kabir Panth.<ref name=":0" />

==== Kabir Chaura ====
{{See also|Kabir Chaura}} 
Surat Gopal first founded the [[Kabir Chaura]] maṭh (also known as ''bāp'' meaning "father") in [[Varanasi]].<ref name=":0" /> It conducted missionary activities in [[Gujarat]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], and [[Bihar]] and had a branch located at Magahar.<ref name=":0" />

==== Dham Khera ====
After the founding of Kabir Chaura by disciple Surat Gopal, Dharamdas would slightly later found the Dham Khera (Damakheda) maṭh (also known as ''māī'' meaning "mother) located in modern-day [[Chhattisgarh]].<ref name=":0" /> It conducted missionary activities in [[central India]] and had branches located in Raipur, Bilaspur, and Chindawara.<ref name=":0" />

==Practices and beliefs==

Adherents must disavow polytheism, reject the consumption of alcohol, bathe daily whilst praising God, maintain a strict vegetarian diet.<ref name=":0" /> They should allow those who sin against them up to three chances of forgiveness.<ref name=":0" /> Kabirpanthis greet with the phrase ''Bandagī'' (meaning "salutation to you").<ref name=":0" /> Furthermore, followers are instructed to avoid the company of women whom are ill-natured, never disavow their wife from their property,{{tone inline|date=July 2024|reason=Apparent comparison of women and/or wives to pieces of property.}} never speak a lie, never steal, never give a false testimony against another person, and never negatively gossip about others.<ref name=":0" />

Hindu Kabirpanthis recite the name [[Rama|Raam]] whilst Muslim Kabirpanthis use the name [[Khuda]] as an appellation for God.<ref name=":0" /> Lay Kabirpanthis are led by a ''[[mahant]]''.<ref name=":0" /> A Kabirpanthi mahant is adorned in special garbs, such as a conical cap, a necklace known as a ''kanthi'', a rosary of ''tulsi'' (sweet basal), and clothing that is white or brownish-red in colour.<ref name=":0" /> Mahants may have a ''[[Tilaka|tilak]]'' (frontal mark) of the Vaishnavite tradition.<ref name=":0" /> The frontal mark may also be a streak along the ridge of their nose using ''sandal'' or ''gopichandan'' paste.<ref name=":0" /> Mahants are not obliged to remain celibate and some marry.<ref name=":0" />

Kabir Panthis  can follow the ethical and social customs of the day according to tradition without hindrance. Lay persons can be cremated according to Hindu law and priests can be buried or cremated depending upon which tradition one wishes to follow. In the [[Caribbean]] and across [[North America]], Kabir Panthis may opt for burning or burial.

Kabir Panthis observe sanctity and purity in their daily lives and behavior. The foundation of their belief and practice are 

* [[Dharma]], or "the natural Law of life",
* [[Satya]], or "The primordial and eternal truth",
* [[Ahimsa]], or "Non-violence towards all beings through word and deed",
* [[Bhakti]], or "Devotional love for god and a higher spiritual reality",
* [[Śraddhā|Sraddha]], or "Faith and unswerving loyalty",
* [[Asteya]], or "Neither hoarding nor coveting",
* [[Kshama]], or "Forgiveness and patience",
* [[Daya (Sikhism)|Daya]], or "Compassion, mercy, and conquering feelings of cruelty and insensitivity towards all beings",
* [[Shaucha]] or "Purity in body, mind and speech", 
* [[Aparigraha]], or "Limiting possessions to what is necessary and being non-materialistic", 
* [[Anekantvada]], or "Acceptance of different beliefs and the multiplicity of viewpoints", 
* Vishwa Bandhutva, or "The universal brotherhood of all beings" and 
* Atma Gyan or "The awareness of ones true self, which is no different from the one true reality which pervades in everyone, thus making everyone the one and only true reality". 

These basic set of guidelines gives Kabir Panthis an all-encompassing formula for Love, Humility, Compassion and Unity. A Kabir Panthi lay person is called a [[Bhakta]] and priests are addressed with the honorific title of [[Mahant]]. Spiritual leaders are called [[Acharya]] or [[Guru]]. Monks who are more [[ascetic]] in nature, who do not marry and engage in more severe spiritual pursuits while never living in one place, constantly moving from monastery to monastery are called [[Brahmacharya|Brahmachari]] Sadhus, whereas those monks who do marry, have children and live a more relaxed spiritual life are ''Grihasta'' [[Sadhu]]s. Similarly, women who have chosen to be Nuns are called [[Sadhvi]]s.  God is called by an infinite array of names but some of the more common names are "Satya Purush", "Soham Sadguru", "Adi Guru  Param Satyeshwar", or simply "Sadguru Kabir Saheb". During their religious ceremonies Kabir Panthis sing the songs, ''[[bhajan]]''s and ''Sakhi''s of Kabir to the music of cymbals, drums and other Indian instruments. The [[Guru]] recites various prayers and [[Mantra]]s, all of which remind devotees to remember God in all that they do.
[[File:Painting of a Kabirpanthi from a folio of a manuscript of the Silsilah-i-Jogiyan, ca.1800.jpg|thumb|Painting of a Kabirpanthi from a folio of a manuscript of the ''Silsilah-i-Jogiyan'', ca.1800]]
One's mind and body must be kept pure by contemplation and avoiding gross and complicated behaviour. Such practice will allow one to attain salvation while living no matter what ones religion or other personal endeavour may be. A mark of initiation into the Kabir Panth is given in the form of a [[Kanthi Mala]]. It is a necklace made from the sacred [[Tulsi]] wood [[Prayer beads|beads]], sacred to [[Vishnu]]. It is also made out of the holy [[Rudraksha]] [[Pyrena|stone]] beads, sacred to [[Shiva]]. It can also be made using a string with just one large Tulsi or Rudraksha bead. It is worn by choice and is typically given to one who has committed to avoiding lust, anger, greed, attachment to perishable things, and ego. [[Sahaja Yoga]] involves remembering God by repeating ''Satyanaam''. Kabir Panthis believe in simplicity of life; simple food, clothing and belongings. One should only acquire what is needed for sustenance. Kabir Panthis are strictly vegetarian and avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics.

Separate organizations have formed over the years. One of the largest groups of Kabir Panthis outside India is in [[Trinidad and Tobago]]. Several smaller active groups exist outside of India as well, especially in [[Canada]], [[Fiji]], [[Guyana]], [[Mauritius]], [[Nepal]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Suriname]], and the [[United States]]. The Kabir Panth Association in Trinidad and Tobago operates two primary schools and was one of the first non-Christian religious denominational schools founded in the region. Recently, other groups have been formed in Trinidad and Tobago [like Kabir Chaura Math, Satya Kabir Nidhi], each with their own emphasis on the teachings of Kabir and with their own affiliations in Trinidad and Tobago, India and elsewhere in the world.

Kabir panth includes the concept of satlok, which is equated with heaven. It is said that good devotees can go to the Satlok forever. Satlok is the place of Satpurush. It is situated beyond Trikuti.<ref>{{Cite book |last=RANA |first=JAGENDRA |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ESL4DwAAQBAJ&dq=Satlok&pg=PA104 |title=RAHAS |date=2020-08-18 |publisher=Blue Rose Publishers |language=en}}</ref> It is said that only initiated souls can reach Satlok.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ram |first=Munshi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6NFWAAAAMAAJ&q=Satlok |title=With the Three Masters: Being Extracts from the Private Diary of Rai Sahib Munshi Ram, M.A., P.C.S., Secretary to the Three Masters |date=1967 |publisher=Radhasoami Satsang |language=en}}</ref> Satlok means the Loka (World) of Truth (Sat).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hess |first=Linda |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ALoUDAAAQBAJ&dq=Satlok&pg=PA333 |title=Bodies of Song: Kabir Oral Traditions and Performative Worlds in North India |date=2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-937416-8 |language=en}}</ref>

==Scriptures==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2015}}
=== The Anurag Sagar & Bijak===
The most sacred books of the Kabir Panth sect are the Anurag Sagar and [[Bijak]], many passages from which are presented in the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] and the Anurag Sagar.<ref name=":0" /> In a blunt and uncompromising style, the Bijak exhorts its readers to shed their delusions, pretensions, and orthodoxies in favor of a direct experience of truth. It satirizes hypocrisy, greed, and violence, especially among the religious.

The Bijak includes three main sections (called ''Ramainī, Shabda'' and ''Sākhī'') and a fourth section containing miscellaneous folksongs. Most of Kabir's material has been popularized through the song form known as Shabda (or pada) and through the aphoristic two-line sākhī (or doha) that serves throughout north India as a vehicle for popular wisdom. In the Anurag Sagar, the story of creation is told to Dharamdas (one of Kabir's disciples), and the Maan Sarowar is another collection of teachings of Kabir from the Dharamdasi branch of the Kabir panth.

===Other scriptures===
* Anuraag Saagar
* Kabir Baani
* Kabir Granthaawalee
* Saakhi Granth
* Kabir Saagar
*Kabir Amrit Sandesh
*Sandhyaa Paath
*Guru Mahimaa

==Major centres==
The centres of major branches of Kabir Panthis include:<ref>भारत में कबीर-पंथ की प्रमुख शाखाएं
http://tdil.mit.gov.in/coilnet/ignca/kabir026.htm#005 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724184223/http://tdil.mit.gov.in/coilnet/ignca/kabir026.htm#005 |date=24 July 2017 }}</ref>

* Kabir Dharamnagar Damakheda seat at Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara district on [[Raipur]] - [[Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh]] Highway (Dharamdas saheb ji lineage branch)<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://kabirdharmdasvanshavali.org/vansh-gadhi/about/|title = About: Vansh Gaddi|date = 2015-05-05|access-date = 2015-05-05|website = Sadguru Kabir Dharamdas Vanshawali}}</ref>
* Kabir Chaura based in Varanasi with a branch at [[Maghar, India|Maghar]];<ref>list of Acharyas of the Moolgadi http://www.kabirchaura.com/lineage/lineage.html{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Biddupur seat founded by Jagu Sahib {{Citation needed|date = May 2015}}
* Dhanuati (Chhapra, Bihar) founded by Bhagvan Sahib, the scribe of Bijak;<ref>''Essays and lectures on the religions of the Hindus'', Volume 1, by [[Horace Hayman Wilson]], [[Reinhold Rost]] (ed.)</ref>
* Chhattisgarh seat at Kudurmal, founded by Muktamani Sahib (Vikram Samvat 1570-1630). They belong to the line of Dharmadaas Saaheb;
*Kabir Parakh Sansthan, Preetam Nagar, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Founded by Sri Abhilash Das on 1978.
* Shree Ram Kabir Bhakta Samaj of India, Shree Ramkabir Mandir Trust, and Shree Ramkabir Bhakta Samaj of USA. Founded many generations ago in Gujarat, this organization has grown to become a multi-national community with more than 12,000 members.

== Demographics==
{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ Kabirpanthi Julaha along with Megh caste in Punjab by [[List of districts of Punjab, India|Districts]] (2011)<ref>{{cite web |title=A-10 Appendix: District wise scheduled caste population (Appendix) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/census.website/data/census-tables |access-date=8 May 2024}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" |[[List of districts of Punjab, India|Districts]]
! colspan="2" |[[2011 India census]]
|-
!Kabirpanthi/Julaha/Megh Caste Population
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
|[[Amritsar]]
| 31,792
| {{Percentage | 31,792| 2,490,891| 2 }}
|-
|[[Barnala]]
| 308
| {{Percentage | 308| 596,294| 2 }}
|-
|[[Bathinda]]
| 2700
| {{Percentage | 2700| 1,388,859| 2 }}
|-
|[[Faridkot district|Faridkot]]
| 283
| {{Percentage | 283| 618,008| 2 }}
|-
|[[Fatehgarh Sahib]]
| 954
| {{Percentage | 954| 599,814| 2 }}
|-
|[[Firozpur]]
| 47,256
| {{Percentage | 47,256| 2,029,074| 2 }}
|-
|[[Gurdaspur]]
| 48,554
| {{Percentage | 48,554 | 2,299,026| 2 }}
|-
|[[Hoshiarpur]]
| 8,676
| {{Percentage | 8,676| 1,582,793| 2 }}
|-
|[[Jalandhar]]
| 44,381
| {{Percentage | 44,381| 2,181,753| 2 }}
|-
|[[Kapurthala]]
| 2,508
| {{Percentage | 2,508| 817,668| 2 }}
|-
|[[Ludhiana]]
| 11,991
| {{Percentage | 11,991 | 3,487,882| 2 }}
|-
|[[Mansa district, Punjab|Mansa]]
| 331
| {{Percentage | 331| 768,808| 2 }}
|-
|[[Moga district|Moga]]
| 415
| {{Percentage | 415| 992,289| 2 }}
|-
|[[Sri Muktsar Sahib]]
| 14,184
| {{Percentage | 14,184| 902,702| 2 }}
|-
|[[Patiala]]
| 1,567
| {{Percentage | 1,567| 1,892,282| 2 }}
|-
|[[Rupnagar]]
| 5,720
| {{Percentage | 5,720 | 683,349| 2 }}
|-
|[[Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar]]
| 2,275
| {{Percentage | 2,275| 986,147| 2 }}
|-
|[[Sangrur]]
| 460
| {{Percentage | 460| 1,203,153| 2 }}
|-
|[[Nawanshahr]]
| 1,234
| {{Percentage | 1,234| 614,362| 2 }}
|-
|[[Tarn Taran district|Tarn Taran]]
| 146
| {{Percentage | 146| 1,120,070| 2 }}
|-
|}

==References==
<references />
{{Hindudharma}}
{{Sikhism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kabir Panth}}
[[Category:Hindu denominations]]
[[Category:Vaishnava sects]]
[[Category:Bhakti-era Hindu sects]]
[[Category:Nirguna worship traditions]]
[[Category:Religious pluralism]]
[[Category:Sant Mat]]
[[Category:Social groups of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Universalism]]
[[Category:15th-century establishments in India]]