Sikhs, teach me about Sikhism. No encyclopedia excerpts please.?
I'm not looking for any cold, hard facts. I'm looking for your thoughts about your faith, what you believe, what you disagree with in your faith (no religion to perfectly suited to all of its adherents, I find) etc.
Sikhism,[1] founded on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev and ten successive Sikh Gurus (the last one being the sacred text Guru Granth Sahib) in fifteenth century Punjab, is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world.[2] This system of religious philosophy and expression has been traditionally known as the Gurmat (literally the counsel of the gurus) or the Sikh Dharma. Sikhism originated from the word Sikh, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit root sis ya meaning "disciple" or "learner", or skis meaning "instruction".[3][4]
The principal belief of Sikhism is faith in waggery?represented using the sacred symbol of Ike Ankara, the Universal God. Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. A key distinctive feature of Sikhism is a non-anthropomorphic concept of God, to the extent that one can interpret God as the Universe itself. The followers of Sikhism are ordained to follow the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus, or enlightened leaders, as well as the holy scripture entitled the Gur? Granth S?hib, which, along with the writings of six of the ten Sikh Gurus, includes selected works of many devotees from diverse scion-economic and religious backgrounds. The text was decreed by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru, as the final guru of the Khalsa Panth. Sikhism's traditions and teachings are distinctively associated with the history, society and culture of the Punjab. Adherents of Sikhism are known as Sikhs (students or disciples) and number over 23 million across the world. Most Sikhs live in Punjab in India and, until India's partition, millions of Sikhs lived in what is now Pakistani Punjab.[5]
*** g87 12/22 pp. 19-23 My Sikh Heritage?And My Search for Truth ***
My Sikh Heritage?And My Search for Truth
As told by Balbir Singh Deo
WHEN I see the hatred people have for one another because of their religion, it saddens me. Even here in India, the role of so-called Christians in politics and nationalistic wars is well known.
Why, the two world wars were fought almost exclusively by nations saying they are Christian! And the tortures and killings sponsored by ?Christians? in the past continue today in such places as Northern Ireland, where Catholics and Protestants fight and kill one another. This constant warring, along with a reputation for buying converts with food, has hardly left a favorable impression. Can you see why so many of us Indians have such a distaste for what is called Christianity?
At the same time, I?vie been saddened to see the hatred Indians have for one another because one may be a Sikh rather than a Hindu or a Hindu rather than a Muslim. True worshipers, I thought, should love even those who believe differently. Particularly shocking has been the terrorism involving Hindus and Sikhs during the past few years here in India.
Despite the continuing episodes of violence, however, neither I nor my three older brothers and my sister-in-law have felt great fear. My sister and her husband, too, felt protected from the violence. Why, since all seven of us were raised as Sikhs? Before explaining, let me tell you something about the Sikhs.
The Sikh Religion
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion with its own scriptures, initiation rites, marriage and funeral ceremonies, and places of pilgrimage and worship. The world?s 15?million Sikhs trace their beliefs back to a 15Th-century Indian guru, or teacher, named Nanak. His followers were known as Sikhs, from a Sanskrit word meaning ?disciple.?
Nanak was born to Hindu parents in the Punjab region of northern India, his birthplace now being a part of Pakistan. The majority of his followers are from the Punjab, although Sikhs have settled throughout India and in other parts of the world. Britain alone has some 300,000 Sikhs.
During Nanak?s early life, Hindus and Muslims were in constant conflict, and he was deeply affected by wartime suffering on both sides. When asked which religion he would follow, he replied: ?There is neither Hindu nor Mussulman, so whose path shall I follow? I shall follow God?s path. God is neither Hindu nor Mussulman, and the path that I follow is God?s.?
Although not intending to establish a new religion, Nanak became the leader of a religious movement. Like others of his day, he taught that the caste system prevailing in India was evil. He summed up his message in three basic commandments: Work, worship, and give in charity.
The Final Guru
Believers in Guru Nanak understood that it is through the guru, or teacher, that God reveals himself. This necessitated successors, so over a period of some 200 years, ten different gurus took the lead of the growing number of Sikhs. Finally the tenth guru, Gobind Singh, indicated that his successor would not be a man. Rather, the sacred writings of Nanak, later Sikh gurus, and Hindu and Muslim ?saints? would take the place of human gurus. These writings, collected into a book known as the Guru Granth Sahib, came to be viewed by Sikhs as the word of God.
The Guru Granth Sahib book is given the same honor and respect that the former human gurus received. The book is displayed and read in a special room in Sikh homes. Within the gurdwaras (places of Sikh worship), there are no idols or formal services, nor is there an altar or a pulpit. The Guru Granth Sahib is placed upon cushions on a raised platform and covered by a canopy. Its verses are read and sung to listeners.
Gobind Singh, the last human guru, also formed an organization called the Khalsa (pure ones). This is a special brotherhood of Sikhs who are willing to commit their lives totally to religious principles. In order to eliminate any caste distinctions indicated by their previous surnames, Khalsa members took the surname Singh, meaning ?Lion.? Female members of the Khalsa assumed the surname Kaur (Lioness and Princess). Such surnames are at times followed by an identifying family name.
The wearing of the five K?s was also required in order to distinguish male Khalsa members by their appearance. First, kesh, an uncut beard and long hair neatly wrapped up on the head. Second, the hair was secured with a kangha, or comb, and normally covered by a turban. Third, there was kachs, or short pants, worn as an undergarment, and, fourth, kara, a steel bracelet. Finally, a kirpan, or sword, was carried for the defense of religious beliefs. These five K?s constituted an identifying uniform, separating the Sikhs from other Indian groups. Although sometimes modified, Khalsa members continue such traditions today.
Unlike Hindus, who have many gods, Sikhs believe in one god. Sikhs also reject asceticism, fasting, and vegetarianism.
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion with its own scriptures, initiation rites, marriage and funeral ceremonies, and places of pilgrimage and worship. The world?s 15?million Sikhs trace their beliefs back to a 15Th-century Indian guru, or teacher, named Nanak. His followers were known as Sikhs, from a Sanskrit word meaning ?disciple.?
Nanak was born to Hindu parents in the Punjab region of northern India, his birthplace now being a part of Pakistan. The majority of his followers are from the Punjab, although Sikhs have settled throughout India and in other parts of the world. Britain alone has some 300,000 Sikhs.
During Nanak?s early life, Hindus and Muslims were in constant conflict, and he was deeply affected by wartime suffering on both sides. When asked which religion he would follow, he replied: ?There is neither Hindu nor Mussulman, so whose path shall I follow? I shall follow God?s path. God is neither Hindu nor Mussulman, and the path that I follow is God?s.?
Although not intending to establish a new religion, Nanak became the leader of a religious movement. Like others of his day, he taught that the caste system prevailing in India was evil. He summed up his message in three basic commandments: Work, worship, and give in charity.
The Final Guru
Believers in Guru Nanak understood that it is through the guru, or teacher, that God reveals himself. This necessitated successors, so over a period of some 200 years, ten different gurus took the lead of the growing number of Sikhs. Finally the tenth guru, Gobind Singh, indicated that his successor would not be a man. Rather, the sacred writings of Nanak, later Sikh gurus, and Hindu and Muslim ?saints? would take the place of human gurus. These writings, collected into a book known as the Guru Granth Sahib, came to be viewed by Sikhs as the word of God.
The Guru Granth Sahib book is given the same honor and respect that the former human gurus received. The book is displayed and read in a special room in Sikh homes. Within the hardware's (places of Sikh worship), there are no idols or formal services, nor is there an altar or a pulpit. The Guru Granth Sahib is placed upon cushions on a raised platform and covered by a canopy. Its verses are read and sung to listeners.
Gobind Singh, the last human guru, also formed an organization called the Khalsa (pure ones). This is a special brotherhood of Sikhs who are willing to commit their lives totally to religious principles. In order to eliminate any caste distinctions indicated by their previous surnames, Khalsa members took the surname Singh, meaning ?Lion.? Female members of the Khalsa assumed the surname Kaur (Lioness and Princess). Such surnames are at times followed by an identifying family name.Unlike Hindus, who have many gods, Sikhs believe in one god. Sikhs also reject asceticism, fasting, and vegetarianism. But like Hindus, Sikhs generally feel that man is bound to a cycle of rebirths unless released through enlightenment. The word of God, imparted by the guru, is believed to be the only means of such release. It is thought that man?s ultimate purpose is to be united with God, free from the physical body.Compare these teachings with the Bible.
Sikh religion is based on teachings of Guru Nanak (1469-1539). At that time Hindostan (modern India, Pakistan, Bengla Desh, Burma and Sri Lanka) had four prominent religions namely Hindus, Muslims, Jainism and Yogis called Sidhas (A mixture of Hinduism and Buddhism). Buddhism had disappeared from India but Lamas were present in Tibet. All these religions were corrupted. People were being robbed on the name of religion. He was borne in a small village in Punjab and started his mission around 1500. He had four long missionary journeys during which he travel led about 70000 mks. He went to religious places of Hindus, Buddhist, Muslims, yogis and Jains and taught people the true religion. He even converted thugs, cannibals, witches etc. condemned caste system and untouchableIT society. He preached equality of man and woman. He boldly said that in God's eyes no one is Hindu or Muslim. He looks at deeds. Nine more human Gurus followed him. People who followed him were later on called Sikhs (Disciples) There after Guru Granth Sikh scriptures was declared Guru of the Sikhs. Five basics tenets of Sikhism are:
Name of Lord
Truth
Contentment
Contemplate
Humbleness
Charity is an integral part of Sikh religion. Every Sikh Gurduara (place of worship) has a facility of Langar in which free food is provided to every visitor. This was started by Guru Nanak to bring equality, remove untouchability, educate people and feed the hungry. The practice is still continuing. The Sikhs are encouraged to participate in charity work including charity work done by other religions. Sikhs are also encouraged for blood donations. In fact they are the world record holders in blood donations done in a single day. Sikhs are forbidden to take any intoxicants. They are very strict in case of tobacco.
Guru Granth is the holy book of Sikhs. It contains versions of Sikh Gurus, Hindu and Muslim saints and even rebels of these faiths and people who were considered untouchables. It is poetry and can be sung. To understand fully we need to pay attention to Rahao or pause, which contains the gist of shabad or song. In versions where there is no pause gist normally is in last lines. Gurus/bhagats talked with Hindus and Muslims and used their vocabulary. Guru Granth is full of love and logic. More you dig into it, more you love God. It does not matter what path you choose. It also comes heavily on fake rituals like practicing celibacy, begging, creating Parallel gods, believing in fasts, pilgrimage. Sikhism does not believe in imposing anything but accepts Sehaj, which means everything should come as a result of love.
Read a song of Guru Nanak on woman by clicking
http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=KeertanPage&K=473&L=8&id=21 410
To know more:
www.sikhnet.com
www.sikhiwiki.org
To read translations of Sikh scriptures in English:
www.srigranth.org
Sikhs, teach me about Sikhism. No encyclopedia excerpts please.?
