A Wisdom Archive 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