Sikhism

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Sikhism
A Wisdom Archive on Sikhism

Sikhism Sikhism, the youngest and the fifth largest world religion, was founded 500 years ago by Guru Nanak. It emphasises the belief in One Supreme Being, the Creator. It offers a simple straight path to eternal bliss and spreads a message of love and universal brotherhood. Sikhs believe that the way to lead a good life is to: Keep God in heart and mind at all times Live honestly and work hard Treat everyone equally Be generous to the less fortunate Serve others The most important thing in Sikhism is the internal religious state of the individual. Sikhs avoid superstitious behaviour, and pilgrimages, statues, buildings, and "blind" rituals. Sikhism emphasises social and sexual equality and stresses the importance of doing good actions rather than merely carrying out rituals. Sikhs think religion should be practiced by living in the world and coping with life's everyday problems. They don't approve of retreating from the world to be a monk or a hermit.

We recommend this article: Sikhism - 1, and also this: Sikhism - 2.

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Resources on Sikhism

Sikhism - An introduction

The word Sikh has been derived from shisya (disciple) or shiksa (learning). The Sikhs consider themselves disciples of the ten Gurus. Children of the Sikh community are initiated into the Khalsa at puberty.

Male Sikhs adopt the name Singh (meaning lion) and females, Kaur (lioness) to highlight their bravery for which they are particularly famous.

Unity of the Godhead is emphasized in the Sikh religion, as the very basis of this religion is monotheism. The spiritual authority is vested in the Adi Granth. In the event of disputes, a conclave is summoned to meet at the Akal Takht (Throne of the Timeless). Resolutions passed at the Akal Takht have a spiritual sanction.

The Guru occupies a strategic relevance in the Sikh society, as the guidance of the Guru towards the attainment of Moksha -release - is absolutely essential. He is only a shade lighter than the supremacy of the Almighty. Sikhism is often described as Nama - marga (the way of the Nama, name) as it emphasizes the constant repetition of the name of God and the Gurubani (from the mouth of the Guru) Nama cleanses the soul of sin and conquers the source of evil - the ego. Once subjugated, the ego becomes a weapon with which one overcomes lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride. Nama stills the wandering mind and induces a super - conscious stillness (divya drishti), which opens the gateway through which light enters one, is unified with absolute bliss.

The Adi Granth forms an integral part of celebrations in the Sikh belief. Youngsters are baptized at puberty using the Scriptures. The birth anniversaries of the Gurus are marked by the recitation of the 'Guru Granth Sahib'.

The letter five holds a special mysticism in the Sikh faith. The Panj Piyaras, the five Nirmalas and the five k's ( kesh, kirpan, kangha, kachha and kara for the Khalsas) are an integral part of the Sikh homeland, Punjab - the land of five rivers.

Courtesy India Times

The Bare Essentials of Sikhism

Founded in the 15th century CE
Founded in the Punjab district of what is now India and Pakistan

Most of the world's 20 million Sikhs still live in the Punjab

Founded by Guru Nanak

Present day Sikhism is still based on Guru Nanak's teachings and those of the 9 Sikh gurus who followed him

Key Beliefs

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion
(which means a religion with only one God)
Sikhism emphasises social and sexual equality
Sikhism stresses the importance of doing good actions rather than merely carrying out rituals

Sikhs believe that the way to lead a good life is to:

Keep God in heart and mind at all times
Live honestly and work hard
Treat everyone equally
Be generous to the less fortunate
Serve others

The Sikh place of worship is called a Gurdwara

Gurdwara is a punjabi word meaning gateway to the Guru

The Sikh scripture is a book called the Guru Granth Sahib

The tenth Sikh Guru decreed that after his death the spiritual guide of the Sikhs would be the teachings contained in that book, so it now has the status of a Guru, and Sikhs show it the respect they would give to a human Guru

The community of men and women who have been initiated into the Sikh faith is the Khalsa. The Khalsa celebrated its 300th anniversary in 1999

Guru Gobind Singh decreed that where Sikhs could not find answers in the Guru Granth Sahib, they should decide issues as a community, based on the principles of their scripture

ARTICLES RELATED TO Sikhism

Sikhism: Encyclopedia - Sikhism

Sikhism (Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖੀ) is a religion based on the teachings of ten Gurus who lived primarily in 16th and 17th century India. It is one of the world's major religions with over 23 million followers. Sikhism comes from the word Sikh, which in turn comes from its Sanskrit root 'śiṣya' (शिष्य) which means "disciple" or "learner", or from the equivalent Pāli word 'sikkhā' (Including:

Sikhism - Sikh religious philosophy

Sikhism - Observations

Sikhism - All welcomed

Read more here: » Sikhism: Encyclopedia - Sikhism

Sikhism: Encyclopedia II - Sikhism - The Gurus of Sikhism Sikhism - The Ten Gurus of Sikhism. Sikhism was established by ten Gurus — teachers or masters — over the period 1469 to 1708. Each master added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting to the creation of the religion of Sikhism. Guru Nanak was the first Guru and Guru Gobind Singh the final Guru in human form. When Guru Gobind Singh left this world, he made the Guru Granth Sahib the ultimate and final Sikh Guru. The Gurus are believed to have the same spirit, or "jot", but different bodies. Sikhism - The Guru Granth Sahib. < ...

Including:

Read more here: » Vaisakhi: Encyclopedia - Vaisakhi

Sikhism: Encyclopedia - The Sikh Gurus

Sikhism was established by ten Gurus, teachers or masters, over the period 1469 to 1708. These teachers, believed to be sent from God for the troubled people of the land, were enlightened souls whose main purpose in life was the spiritual and moral well-being of the masses, or the equivalent of Prophets & Messiahs of the other major respective monotheist religions. Each master added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting to the creation of the religion of Sikhism. Guru Nanak was the first Guru and Guru Gobind Singh the final Guru in human form. When Guru Gobind Singh left this world, he made th ...

Including:

The Sikh Gurus - The Ten Gurus of Sikhism

Sikhism: Encyclopedia - Religion in India

India is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world, with one of the most deeply religious societies and cultures. Religion plays a central and definitive role in the life of the country and most of its people. The faith of more than 80% of the people is Hinduism, considered the world's oldest religious and philosophical system. Islam is practiced by around 13% of all Indians. Sikhism, Ayyavazhi, Buddhism and Jainism are Indian-born religious systems that are strong and influential not only in India but across the world. Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and the Bahá'í F ...

Including:

Sikhism: Encyclopedia - Prayer beads

Prayer beads are traditionally used to keep count of the repetitions of prayers, chants or devotions. They are used by followers of four major world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. There seem to be basically three uses for prayer beads: Repetition of the same devotion a set (usually large) number of times. This is the earliest form of prayer beads (the Japa Mala) and the earliest Christian form (the prayer rope). Repetition of several different prayers in some pattern (the usual Western Chr ...

Including:

Sikhism: Encyclopedia - Maya illusion

Maya illusion - Maya in Hinduism. See also: Maya_(Hinduism) In Vedic philosophy, maya (Sanskrit: ma: not, ya: this) is the illusion of a limited, purely physical and mental reality in which our everyday consciousness has become entangled, a veiling of the true, unitary Self, also known as Brahman. Maya originated in the Hindu scriptures known as the Upanishads. Many philosphies or religions seek to "pierce the veil" in order to glimpse the transcendent truth, from which th ...