A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. The word Sikh is derived from its Sanskrit root 'śiṣya' (शिष्य) which means "disciple" or "learner", or from the Pāli word 'sikkhā' (सिक्खा). In the Punjabi language the word Sikh also means humble follower. So a Sikh is a disciple of the Ten Gurus and a follower of the teachings in Sikhism's holy scriptures who they regard as a living guru, the Guru Granth Sahib. Most Sikhs are of Punjabi background and live in the state of Punjab, India, but the Sikh community stretches out to over ...

See also:

Sikhism, Sikhism - History of Sikhism, Sikhism - The Gurus of Sikhism, Sikhism - The Ten Gurus of Sikhism, Sikhism - The Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism - Sikh religious philosophy, Sikhism - Primary beliefs and principles, Sikhism - Underlying values, Sikhism - Prohibited behavior, Sikhism - Technique and methods, Sikhism - Other observations, Sikhism - Observations, Sikhism - All welcomed, Sikhism - Followers of Sikhism, Sikhism - The Five Ks, Sikhism - Sikhs around the world, Sikhism - Sikhs and Punjabis, Sikhism - The Khalsa, Sikhism - Khalistan

Read more here: » Sikhism: Encyclopedia II - Sikhism - Followers of Sikhism

See also:

Sikhism, Sikhism - History of Sikhism, Sikhism - The Gurus of Sikhism, Sikhism - The Ten Gurus of Sikhism, Sikhism - The Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism - Sikh religious philosophy, Sikhism - Primary beliefs and principles, Sikhism - Underlying values, Sikhism - Prohibited behavior, Sikhism - Technique and methods, Sikhism - Other observations, Sikhism - Observations, Sikhism - All welcomed, Sikhism - Followers of Sikhism, Sikhism - The Five Ks, Sikhism - Sikhs around the world, Sikhism - Sikhs and Punjabis, Sikhism - The Khalsa, Sikhism - Khalistan

Read more here: » Sikhism: Encyclopedia II - Sikhism - Sikh religious philosophy

Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1538), considered to be the founder of Sikhism, was born in the village of Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib, near Lahore. His father, Mehta Kalu was a Patwari- an accountant of land revenue in the government. Guru's mother was Mata Tripta and he had one older sister, Bibi Nanki. His parents, Kalu Mehta and Matta Tripat, were Hindus of the Khatri caste. From the very childhood, Bibi Nanki saw in him the Light of God but she did not reveal this secret to anyone. She is known as the first disciple of Guru Nanak. Even as a ...

See also:

Sikhism, Sikhism - History of Sikhism, Sikhism - The Gurus of Sikhism, Sikhism - The Ten Gurus of Sikhism, Sikhism - The Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism - Sikh religious philosophy, Sikhism - Primary beliefs and principles, Sikhism - Underlying values, Sikhism - Prohibited behavior, Sikhism - Technique and methods, Sikhism - Other observations, Sikhism - Observations, Sikhism - All welcomed, Sikhism - Followers of Sikhism, Sikhism - The Five Ks, Sikhism - Sikhs around the world, Sikhism - Sikhs and Punjabis, Sikhism - The Khalsa, Sikhism - Khalistan

Read more here: » Sikhism: Encyclopedia II - Sikhism - History of 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 - History of Sikhism
• Sikhism - The Gurus of Sikhism
• Sikhism - The Ten Gurus of Sikhism
• Sikhism - The Guru Granth Sahib
• Sikhism - Sikh religious philosophy
• Sikhism - Primary beliefs and principles
• Sikhism - Underlying values
• Sikhism - Prohibited behavior
• Sikhism - Technique and methods
• Sikhism - Other observations
• Sikhism - Observations
• Sikhism - All welcomed
• Sikhism - Followers of Sikhism
• Sikhism - The Five Ks
• Sikhism - Sikhs around the world
• Sikhism - Sikhs and Punjabis
• Sikhism - The Khalsa
• Sikhism - Khalistan

Read more here: » Sikhism: Encyclopedia - Sikhism

Bhagat refers to a Holy Person who leads humanity towards God. A Bhagat is an Eastern equivalent to a Christian Saint. A Bhagat may also be a Guru in which case he would have a huge following or Sangat. A Bhagat does not usually preach to attract supporters but preach to highlight injustices in practises of the world. In Sikhism, there are over 15 Bhagats who came before the birth of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 1469. The teachings of these Sikh Bhagats are given the same prominence in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Book as the t ...

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Guru Gobind Singh (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ) (Patna, Bihar, India, December 22, 1666 – October 7, 1708, Nanded, Maharashtra,India) was the tenth and last of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Guru on November 11, 1675 following in the footsteps of his father Guru Teg Bahadur. Before he died, he nominated the Guru Granth Sahib as the next perpetual Guru of the Si ...

Including:

• Guru Gobind Singh - Audio

Read more here: » Guru Gobind Singh: Encyclopedia - Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Angad Dev (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਅੰਗਦ ਦੇਵ) (31 March 1504 – 29 March 1552) was the second of The Ten Gurus of Sikhism. He became Guru on 7 September 1539 following in the footsteps of Guru Nanak, who was the founder of the Sikh religion. Before becoming the second Guru, he was known as Lehna. This second Sikh Guru contributed the following to the people of the world: To do Niskam Sewa Selfless Service to humanity. Completely surrender to the Will of God. Disapproval of exhibitionism and hypocrisy. Standa ...

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Guru Arjan Dev (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜਨ ਦੇਵ) (15 April 1563 - 30 May 1606) was the fifth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Guru on 1 September 1581 following in the footsteps of Guru Ram Das. He was born at Goindval. Before he died, he nominated his son Guru Hargobind as the next Guru of the Sikhs. The following is a summary of the main highlights of Guru Arjan's life: Huge number of hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib – over 2000 Author of Sukhmani S ...

Including:

• Guru Arjan Dev - Audio

Read more here: » Guru Arjan Dev: Encyclopedia - Guru Arjan Dev

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:

• Prayer beads - Buddhism
• Prayer beads - Christianity
• Prayer beads - Hinduism
• Prayer beads - Islam
• Prayer beads - Sikhism
• Prayer beads - Other

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The Five Ks are five items Sikhs wear at all times either out of respect for the tenth teacher, Guru Gobind Singh, or out of a sense of religious devotion. The Five Ks are not merely symbols. Guru Gobind Singh Ji ordered his followers to wear the Five Ks so that they could actively use them to make a difference to their own and to others' spirituality. However, Sikhism recognises the concept of a multi-level approach to achieving one's target as a disciple of the faith as well. For example, “Sahajdhari” (slow adopters) are those w ...

Including:

• Five Ks - Kesh uncut hair
• Five Ks - Kangha comb
• Five Ks - Karra circular bracelet
• Five Ks - Kachera shorts
• Five Ks - Kirpan small sword

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According to the Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians, the majority of the world's vegetarians follow the practice for religious reasons. Many religions, including Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, and especially Jainism, teach that ideally life should always be valued and not willfully destroyed for unnecessary human gratification. Vegetarianism and religion - Hinduism. Hindus believe that food shapes the personality, mood and mind. They believe that meat promotes aggressiveness and a mental state of turmoil kn ...

Including:

• Vegetarianism and religion - Hinduism
• Vegetarianism and religion - Buddhism
• Vegetarianism and religion - Abrahamic religions
• Vegetarianism and religion - Judaism
• Vegetarianism and religion - Christianity
• Vegetarianism and religion - Islam
• Vegetarianism and religion - Jainism
• Vegetarianism and religion - Taoism
• Vegetarianism and religion - Bahá'í Faith
• Vegetarianism and religion - Sikhism
• Vegetarianism and religion - Rastafari
• Vegetarianism and religion - Ayyavazhi

Read more here: » Vegetarianism and religion: Encyclopedia - Vegetarianism and religion

Dharma (Sanskrit, roughly law or way) is the way of the higher Truths. Beings that live in harmony with Dharma proceed more quickly towards moksha, nirvana, or personal liberation. Dharma forms the basis for philosophies, beliefs and practices originating in India. The oldest of these, widely known as Hinduism, is Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Dharma. Buddhism, Ayyavazhi, Jainism and Sikhism also retain the centrality of Dharma. For the followers of these traditions, Dharma also refers to the teachings ...

Including:

• Dharma - Meanings and origins of the word Dharma
• Dharma - Dharma in Hinduism
• Dharma - Origin and development in Hinduism
• Dharma - Proto-dharma: rta in the Vedas
• Dharma - Developing conceptions
• Dharma - Dharma as a Purushartha
• Dharma - Kane's view
• Dharma - In Jainism
• Dharma - The two Dharmas
• Dharma - In Buddhism
• Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha
• Dharma - Qualities of Buddha Dharma
• Dharma - Dharmas in Buddhist phenomenology
• Dharma - Dharma as righteousness

Read more here: » Dharma: Encyclopedia - Dharma

See also. Guru Guru-shishya tradition ...

Read more here: » Satguru: Encyclopedia - Satguru

The following is a List of Festivals in India: Indian festivals - Hindu. Diwali Bhaubeej Dussehra or Daserra Kumar Purnima Chhath Holi Makar Sankranti Pongal Mahashivratri Ugadi Gudi Padwa Ramanavami Baisakhi Onam Raja Shankranti Puri Jaganath Ratha yatra Ganesh Puja Saraswati Puja PrathamAstami Krishna Janmastami Including:

• Indian festivals - Hindu
• Indian festivals - Islamic
• Indian festivals - Sikhism
• Indian festivals - Zoroastrian
• Indian festivals - Christian
• Indian festivals - Others
• Indian festivals - Unofficial

Read more here: » Indian festivals: Encyclopedia - Indian festivals

Vaisakhi (also known as Baisakhi) marks the beginning of the new Spring year and the end of the harvest in India. Vaisakhi falls in the Nanakshahi calendar (neither in the Amantha- nor in the Purnimantha-calendar) on the first day of Vaisakh and marks the sun entering Mesha Rasi (this fact is called Mesha Sankranti). So no lunar rule is determinating Vaisakhi but a solar rule. It usually falls on April 13, falling on April 14 once every thirty-six years. It coincides with 'Rongali Bihu' in Assam, 'Naba Barsha' in Bengal, Putha ...

Including:

• Vaisakhi - Vaisakhi in Sikhism
• Vaisakhi - Celebrations

Read more here: » Vaisakhi: Encyclopedia - Vaisakhi

Many religions and spiritual movements believe that their sacred texts (or scriptures) are the "Word of God", often feeling that the texts are wholly divine or spiritually inspired in origin. Even non-believers often capitalize the names of sacred scriptures as a mark of respect or tradition. Although ancient civilizations have produced handmade texts for thousands of years, the first printed scripture for wide distribution to the masses was The Diamond Sutra, ...

Including:

• Sacred text - Texts
• Sacred text - Views

Read more here: » Sacred text: Encyclopedia - Sacred text

Guru Nanak Dev (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ) (20 October 1469 – 7 May 1539), the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus of the Sikhs, was born in the village of Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib, near Lahore. His parents, Kalu Mehta and Matta Tripat, were Hindus of the Khatri caste. Guru Nanak Dev married Sulkhni, of Batala, and they had two sons, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das. He continued his religious pursuits as always. His brother-in-law, the husband of his sis ...

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The Ardās (Punjabi: ਅਰਦਾਸ) are the Sikh daily prayers. In Sikhism, these prayers are made after washing and before eating. Though these prayers vary by sect, all observe them as an important part of the day. Ardās - Origins. The word Ardas is derived from Persian word 'Arazdashat', meaning a request, supplication, prayer, petition or an address to a superior authority. Ardas is a unique prayer based on the fact that it is one of the few well-known pray ...

Including:

• Ardās - Origins
• Ardās - Meaning
• Ardās - Practice
• Ardās - See Also

Read more here: » Ardās: Encyclopedia - Ardās

Major world religions have been distinguished from minor religions using a variety of methods, though any such division naturally reflects a particular bias, since many adherents of a religion are likely to consider their own faith "major". Two methods are mentioned in this article, number of adherents and the definitions used by classical scholars of religions. For a list of all religions, please see the article list of religions. For a discussion of the relationships between religions, see Religious pluralism Including:

• Major world religions - Defined by population
• Major world religions - All religions or belief systems by number of adherents
• Major world religions - Organized religions by population ranking
• Major world religions - Historic classic view

Read more here: » Major world religions: Encyclopedia - Major world religions

Bhatti is a chandravanshi rajput clan and is one of the largest tribes of Rajputs, and also is a tribe of Jats. They reside for the most part in central Punjab, the Jaisalmer region, and in border villages of Bikaner and some tehsils of Jodhpur (Osian and Shergarh), India and in Chaniot, Sialkot, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Hafiz Abad, Sialkot, Narowal, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar districts of Pakistan. About 40 other gotras are the sub branches of the Bhattis. Religiously they are followers ...

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