 | Sikhism: Encyclopedia II - Sikhism - Sikh religious philosophy
Sikhism - Sikh religious philosophy
Main articles: Sikh religious philosophy, and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]]
The Sikh religious philosophy can be divided into the following five sections:
Sikhism - Primary beliefs and principles
Main articles: Sikhism primary beliefs and principles, and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]]
Sikhism advocates the belief in one God (Ek Onkar) who is omnipresent and has infinite qualities. This aspect has been repeated on numerous occasions in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Sikhs do not have a gender for God nor do they believe God takes a human form. All human beings are considered equal regardless of their religion, sex or race. All are sons and daughters of Waheguru, the Almighty.
Followers of Sikhism are encouraged to wake in the early morning hours, before the sun has risen, and meditate on God's name. They must work hard and honestly and never live off others, but give to others from the fruits of one's own labour. A Sikh's home should always be open to all.
Sikhs believe in the concept of reincarnation, yet other beliefs of the afterlife are also accepted. All creatures are believed to have a spirit that can pass to other bodies upon death until liberation is achieved. Sikhs should defend, safeguard, and fight for the rights of all creatures, and in particular fellow human beings. They are encouraged to have a "Chardi Kala" or positive, optimistic and buoyant view of life.
The Sikh religion is not considered the only way to salvation - people of other religions may also achieve salvation. This concept is shared with other Dharmic religions.
Upon baptism, Sikhs must wear the 5Ks, and recite the 5 prayers. Sikhs do not believe that any particular day is holier than any other and tend to adopt the religious day of the country within which they reside.
It is every Sikh's duty to defeat these five vices: ego, anger, greed, attachment, and lust. Sikhs are encouraged to 'attack' these vices with contentment, charity, kindness, positive attitude, and humility.
Sikhism - Underlying values
Main articles: Sikhism underlying values, and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]]
The Sikhs must believe in these values:
- Equality: All humans are equal before God.
- God's spirit: All creatures have God's spirits and must be properly respected.
- Personal right: Every person has a right to life.
- Actions count: Salvation is obtained by one's actions, including good deeds, remembrance of God, etc.
- Living a family life: Encouraged to live as a family unit to provide and nurture children.
- Sharing: It is written in scripture that Sikhs must give a minimum of 10 percent of their earnings as well as 10 percent of their life to the service of helping others and in the service of God.
- Accept God's will: Develop your personality so that you recognize happy events and miserable events as one.
- The four fruits of life: Truth, contentment, contemplation and Naam, (in the name of God).
Sikhism - Prohibited behavior
Main articles: Sikhism prohibited behavior, and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]]
- Non-logical behavior: Superstitions and rituals are not meaningful to Sikhs (pilgrimages, fasting, bathing in rivers, circumcision, worship of graves, idols or pictures, compulsory wearing of the veil for women, etc.).
- Material obsession: ("Maya") Accumulation of materials has no meaning in Sikhism. Wealth such as gold, common stock portfolios, commodities, and real estate will all be left here on Earth when you depart. Do not get attached to them.
- Sacrifice of creatures: (Sati). Widows throwing themselves in the funeral pyre of their husbands, slaughtering lambs and calves to celebrate holy occasions, etc. are forbidden.
- Non-family-oriented living: A Sikh is encouraged not to live as a recluse, hermit, humble savant, yogi, etc.
- Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip, lying, etc. are not permitted.
- Intoxication: Alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and consumption of other intoxicants are discouraged.
- Priestly class: Sikhs do not have to depend on a priest for performing any religious functions. They are not supposed to follow a class/caste system where the priestly class reigns highest. Everyone is equal.
- Prejudicial Behaviour: Sikhs should not discriminate based on caste, race, class or gender. Discrimination and unjust behaviour is considered completely against Sikh teachings.
Sikhism - Technique and methods
Main articles: Sikhism technique and methods, and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]]
- Nām Japō: - meditation and prayer on the Name of God in Sikhism, which is "Waheguru", it is also called the 'Gur-Manter'. Naam Japna is the repetition of this name.
- Kirat Karō: - Honest earnings, labor, etc. while remembering the Lord.
- Vaṇḍ Chakkō: - Share with others in need, free food (langar), donate 10% of income Dasvand, etc.
Sikhism - Other observations
Main articles: Sikhism other observations, and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]]
- Not son of God: The Gurus were not in the Christian sense "Sons of God". Sikhism says all humans are the children of God, and by deduction God is mother/father.
- Multi-level approach: Sikhism recognises the concept of a multi-level approach to achieving one's target as a disciple of the faith. For example, "Sahajdhari" (slow adopters) are Sikhs who have not donned the full 5Ks but are still Sikhs nevertheless.
Note: The Punjabi language does not have a gender for God. Unfortunately, when translating, the proper meaning cannot be correctly conveyed without using Him/His/He/Brotherhood, S/He etc., but this distorts the meaning by giving the impression that God is masculine, which is not the message in the original script. The reader must correct for this every time these words are used.
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