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Sikhism is a religion that began in fifteenth century Northern India with the teachings of Nanak and nine successive human gurus. Sikhism comes from the word Sikh, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit root sis ya meaning "disciple" or "learner", or skis meaning "instruction." Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion in the world, and is generally considered the fifth largest organized religion.
The principal belief in Sikhism is faith in God ? represented using the sacred symbol of eke Ankara. Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. The followers of Sikhism are ordained to follow the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus, or enlightened leaders, as well as the holy scripture?the Gur? Granth S?hib?which includes the selected works of many authors from diverse socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. The text was decreed by Gobind Singh, the tenth guru, as the final guru of the Khalsa Panth. Sikhism's traditions and teachings are distinctly 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. However, most Sikhs live in the state of Punjab in India; prior to partition, millions of Sikhs lived in what is now the Punjab province of Pakistan.
Nanak taught that rituals, religious ceremonies or empty worship is of little use and Sikhs are discouraged from fasting or going on pilgrimages. However, during the period of the later gurus, and due to increased institutionalization of the religion, some ceremonies and rites did arise. Sikhism is not a proselytizing religion and most Sikhs do not make active attempts to gain converts. However, converts to Sikhism are welcomed, although there is no formal conversion ceremony.
Upon a child's birth, the Gur? Granth S?hib is opened at a random point and the child is named using the first letter on the top left-hand corner of the left page. All boys are given the middle name or surname Singh, and all girls are given the middle name or surname Kaur. Sikhs are joined in wedlock through the anand k?raj ceremony. Sikhs marry when they are of a sufficient age (child marriage is taboo), and without regard for the future spouse's caste or descent. The marriage ceremony is performed in the company of the Gur? Granth S?hib; around which the couple circles four times. After the ceremony is complete, the husband and wife are considered "a single soul in two bodies."
Here are some websites:
http://www.sikhs.org
http://www.religioustolerance.org/sikhism
http://www.sikhism.com
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8049_1.html
*hope that helped and good luck!!!
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i want to search about sikhism in punjabi?
