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SIKHISM
Founded over 500 years ago, Sikhism has a following of over 20 million people worldwide today, and is ranked as the worlds 5th largest religion.
Sikhism denounces blind rituals and superstitions. It teaches equality of all mankind. It is open to all those who wish to follow through the teachings of its 10 Gurus. These teachings are enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
There is no consensus about the origin of this religion. According to historians, it is believed that it is a syncretistic religion, originally related to the Bhakti movement of Hinduism. While some Sikhs believe that their religion is a re-purification of Hinduism, others disagree and opine that it is a direct revelation from God - a religion that is not a branch of Hinduism.
The founder of Sikhism was Shri Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1538) who was born in the Punjab area which is now in Pakistan. It is believed, that at Sultanpur, he received a vision to preach the way to enlightenment and God. His teaching, that There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim became one of the pillars of Sikhism. He taught strict monotheism, and the brotherhood of humanity. He rejected idol worship, and the Hindu concept of caste system.
Sikhs believe in a single, Formless God, who is known by many names, and who can be known through meditation. The Mool Mantar(central hymn), composed by Guru Nanak, is recited daily by many Sikhs. Translated, it goes like this: There is only one God. His Name is Truth. He is the Creator. He is without fear. He is without hate. He is beyond time. He is beyond birth and death. He is self-existent. Only he can be worshiped.
The Sikhs believe in samsara (the repetitive cycle of birth, life and death), karma (the accumulated sum of one's good and bad deeds), and reincarnation the belief of a rebirth following death. To quote, Each individual has many reincarnations, but being born a human means the soul is nearing the end of rebirth. God judges each soul at death and may either reincarnate the soul or, if pure enough, allow it to rest with him.
A Sikh is supposed to follow the 5 K’s, which are:
- They must always have “Kesh”, or long hair that must never be cut.
- They must always possess a “Kangah”, or comb.
- They must always wear “Kachha”, or short pants.
- They must always wear a “Kada”, or metal bracelet.
- They must always carry a “Kirpan”, or ceremonial dagger.
Due to changes in surroundings, situation, and times, these clothing practices
are followed by strict Sikhs.
The religion also forbids drinking of alcohol, and smoking.
A succession of nine Gurus (regarded as reincarnations of Guru Nanak) led the movement during the period from Guru Nanak's death until 1708. From then on, the functions of the Guru passed to the Panth (Guru Nanak’s followers) and to the holy text, considered the 11th Guru.
An interesting fact is that all Sikh males share the last name, ‘Singh,’ which means a lion and females, ‘Kaur.’ This has origins in a reaction against the Hindu caste system where the last name of a man was reflective of his caste.
For more information on Sikhism, you may visit:
www.sikhs.org
www.religioustolerance.org
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism
www.srigurugranthsahib.org |
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