A Wisdom Archive on Sikhs

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

Read more here: » The Sikh Gurus: Encyclopedia - The Sikh Gurus

Gurgadi Diwas is observed on October 20, when on this day in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh canonised the sacred Aad Granth pothi that Sikhs worship as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
 
He said: " As ordained by the Lord Eternal/ A new way of life is evolved./ All the Sikhs are asked/ To accept the Holy Granth as the Guru./ Guru Granth should be accepted/ As the living Guru./ Those who wish to meet God/ Will find Him in the Word."

 
(See also: Gurgadi Diwas, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Gurgadi Diwas: Spiritual Uplift With Gurbani  

A striking feature of the Adi Granth - popularly called the Guru Granth Sahib - is its distinctly lilting literary flavour, eloquently described as the "musicalisation of thought".
 
Even as one pays homage to Guru Granth Sahib, on the 400th anniversary of its being established as the Holy Book and as the eternal Guru of the Sikh faith, one is struck by the rich literary underpinnings of this compilation and the systematic manner in which each part has been set to music.

 
(See also: Adi Granth, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Adi Granth: Eleventh and Eternal Guru Granth Sahib  

The traditional festivals of the Indian diaspora all reflect the ancient concept of the Utsav Mela, which encouraged everyone to congregate, meet and mix amid festivity and pageantry. In fact, the word mela (fair) is derived from the word mil , meaning 'to meet'.
 
Baisakhi epitomises the mela notion of convergence for it brings together people of all castes and communities on the first day of Vaisakha, the beginning of the traditional Indian New Year. Basically a harvest festival, Baisakhi marks the ripening of the Rabi harvest, especially in the Punjab. It is called the Naba Barsha celebrations in Bengal, Rongali Bihu in Assam, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Pooram (Vishu) in Kerala.

 
(See also: Baisakhi, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Baisakhi: Baisakhi Is Both Sacred And Secular  

The individual's moral fibre had to be strengthened through basic convictions. With this farsightedness, the tenth and last Guru, Gobind Singh, set about honing the faith's dynamics through innovation and personal example. His rigorous self-discipline and inner fortitude were exemplified by his equanimity and poise in the face of tragedies few encounter in their lifetime.
 
He was nine when he received the head of his father Guru Tegh Bahadur, beheaded in Delhi on the orders of the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. His father had chosen martyrdom to demonstrate to Aurangzeb - and the people of India - that a man convinced of his moral purpose and inalienable right to practise his own religion, is unafraid to die.
 

 
(See also: Guru Gobind Singh, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Guru Gobind Singh: A Glowing Tribute To The Tenth Guru  

The holy book Guru Granth Sahib or the Adi Granth is considered the living Guru and the supreme spiritual authority of the Sikh religion. Basically a collection of devotional hymns and poetry, the Granth Sahib lays down moral and ethical rules for development of the soul, spiritual salvation and unity with God. Since Sikhism shuns idol worship, Sikhs don't worship the Guru Granth Sahib as an idol but it is held in utmost respect for the writings of the Gurus it contains. The Guru Granth Sahib is perhaps the only Holy Scripture, which not only contains the works of its own religious founders but also writings of people from other faiths.

Read more here: » Sikhism: The Eternal Guru - Sri Guru Granth Sahib

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 rather than the supremacy of the Almighty. Here is a brief description of the ten gurus of Sikhism.

Read more here: » Sikhism: The Ten Gurus of Sikhism

Saint, scholar, soldier all rolled into one, Guru Gobind Singh was responsible for the evolution of the Khalsa Panth.
 
He was barely nine years old when the dismembered head of his father Guru Teg Bahadur was brought to him at Anandpur Saheb. This became the turning point in little Gobind Rai's life and paved the way for the concretisation of the Sikh tradition. The child held back his tears, embraced the faithful Jaita who had risked his life to bring the sacred trust in tact, and declared that henceforth all untouchables would be the Guru's own children.

 
(See also: Guru Gobind Singh, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Guru Gobind Singh: Scholar, Soldier, Saint and Poet  

Last spring, I visited a gurudwara for the first time in my life. Why not earlier? I was apprehensive: Would a Muslim be welcome?
 
Contrary to my fears, the experience turned out to be a happy one. It was so peaceful and tranquil in the gurudwara. I was there for an hour with Sikh friends. And then, it struck me how little we know of each other's faiths. What was holding us back?

 
(See also: Peace on Earth, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Peace on Earth: Friends Across Faiths