Sikhism - An Overview
| Age
of Sikhism |
| The
history of Sikhism began with the birth
in 1469 CE of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru of the Sikhs. The
initiation (baptism)
ceremony and other traditions of the
religion were formalized by 1699 CE. |
Size of Sikhism |
Sikhism
is the fifth largest world religion. Among
all world, regional, and atheist traditions, Sikhism is the
ninth largest religion. Sikhs currently number approximately 25
million across the globe, placing Sikhism
below Buddhism and above Judaism in
terms of size. |
Role
of Women |
Sikhs
view men and women
as being completely equal. Women are expected to participate
in daily and religious life in the same way
as men. Barring or discouraging
women from any activity or position based on sex is against the
principles of Sikhism. |
Role of Clergy |
In
Sikhism, every person is fully responsible
for leading a moral life. Sikhs do
not believe an intermediary can supplicate on one's behalf
to God. Hence, Sikhs have no priestly class. Those educated in religious
affairs or with a special insight on God are
free to teach or guide others, but they cannot
claim to have a monopoly on access to God. Religious services
are usually conducted by a Giani, literally, one who is educated
in religious affairs. However, members of the congregation
are also expected to be active participants. |
Concept of God |
Sikhs
do not view God as a
man in the clouds or any other form of human being, male or female.
The concept of God in Sikhism is of oneness
with the entire universe and its
spirit. God is found not by searching in remote places, but by eliminating
ego, which is said to allow a deeper, more
accurate perspective on the nature of reality. |
Life After Death |
Sikhs
believe that upon death
one merges back into the universal nature,
just as a drop of rain merges back into the ocean.
Individuality is lost. Sikhs do not believe in heaven or hell. Heaven
can be experienced by being in tune with God while still alive.
Conversely, the suffering and pain caused by ego is seen as hell
on earth. Sikhism views spiritual pursuits as positive experiences
in and of themselves that transcend
death, not as sacrifices made in order to collect a
reward that is waiting until after death. |
Religious Texts |
The
only authenticated text
of the Sikhs is Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, a 1430-page text
containing hymns written directly by Guru
Nanak Dev Ji and later Gurus. This text
was ratified by Guru Gobind Singh Ji as the final authority
on Sikh spiritual doctrine. Later, other texts
such as Dasam Granth were incorporated
into Sikhism's practice, but these
texts are of much less importance and their authenticity has
been disputed. |
View of Other Religions |
Sikhs
believe they have no right to impose their
beliefs on others or even to cajole members of other religions to
convert. Such practices are strictly forbidden
in Sikhism. Sikhs are required to defend the freedom
of worship of other religions just as they
would their own. Sikhs do not believe that followers of other religions
are doomed in the eyes of God regardless of
their personal character and behavior, nor does being
born into a Sikh family guarantee salvation.
However, this does not mean Sikhs view all religions as being
similar. The philosophy, practice, and history of Sikhism are unique
and seen as clearly
distinct from any other religion. |
Eligibility for Participation |
All
individuals, regardless of race, gender,
or nationality, are free to become Sikhs. Young children who
are not yet capable of understanding
the philosophy of Sikhism and making their own decisions are not
eligible to be initiated into the faith until they have grown
older. One does not have to be a Sikh to participate in Sikh
religious services and activities.
Members of other religions are welcome. |
Outlook |
Like
the Jewish faith which has been
subject to extreme historical persecution, Sikhs have faced extreme
pressure from a variety
of groups. Being a small but vocal minority, they
were nearly wiped out by Muslim invaders on multiple occasions and
again later by the British Raj during the colonization of
India. More recently, they have suffered a great deal from attacks
by Hindu fundamentalists. However, they have
always seemed to rebound strongly
and overcome such horrors.
Sikhs played the leading role in ending both the Mughal
imperial rule and the British Raj of India. Sikhs today are thriving
and remain one of the fastest growing religions
in the world. Practitioners of Sikhism can now be found in every
major city in the world.
|
Guru-Ka-Langar |
"The institution of the Guru's sacred Langar is as old as Sikhism itself. Guru Nanak Dev Ji introduced this unique free community kitchen in order to spread equality, remove the caste system and instill brotherly goodwill. Guru Angad Dev Ji made it a precondition for the Sangat that they have to eat Langar sitting in the Pangat before any person came to see him. It was obligatory for all to sit in the Pangat and eat before they join the congregation. Even the Emperor Akhbar sat in the Pangat along with common people and ate langar before he could meet with the Guru. The Fourth Guru introduced another aspect of the Langar, by serving water and meals to travelers and passers by. Guru Arjan Dev Ji and his wife regularly served langar personally to the Sangat. By the time of Guru Gobind Singh Ji many Sikhs started to serve langar at their houses. No other religions or communities have a free kitchen where a hungry person can have a free meal with dignity. This is a unique institution which really distinguishes Sikhism from other major religions in the world today. Where there is no distinction made between 'Sikhs and non-Sikhs', the 'rich and the poor', and the 'high and low castes'. There has been an ongoing widespread uproar of the 'tables and chairs' debate. The big debate is whether there really is a 'table and chairs' controversy or is there really a conspiracy to destroy this unique institution? Do we not sit in the Sadh-Sangat to listen to the Kirtans on the floor? Didn't our Gurus sit on the floor in the Pangat, then what excuse is there for any one of us not to follow the Guru's example? Now is the time that we should understand the importance of the free kitchen! And we shouldn't become victims of our own ignorance. We should do our best to preserve our identity which is under attack by many hostile forces from all sides. I would like to humbly appeal to the Sadh-Sangat of Singh Sabha London East, to unite together in order to preserve our unique institution of everyone sitting in the Pangat while having our Langar. An exception can only be made for the elderly or disabled..." Swarn Singh Kandola - General Secretary |
|
Nagar Kirtan |
"The 'Nagar Kirtan' which took place on September 3rd, 2006 was to celebrate the 402nd anniversary of the first inauguration of the Guru Granth Sahib in 1604 by Guru Arjan Dev Ji at Harminder Sahib Amritsar. The 10th Guru, (Guru Gobind Singh Sahib) ordained the holy Granth, thus it was accorded with the status of Guru. From then on the Sikhs regarded the Guru Granth Sahib as their living Guru. No Sikh service, ceremony or any other religious function is truly coplete without the physical presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. The festivities of the 'Nagar Kirtan' commence with the holy presence of the Guru Granth Sahib seated in a Palki on a purpose built float. The float is escorted by the 'five beloved' (Panj Piaray). Such festivities celebrated in public with our community are a great source of enjoyment and excitement. This form of religious procession through the main thoroughfares of the town is known as the 'Nagar Kirtan'." Swarn Singh Kandola - General Secretary |
| The
Ten Sikh Gurus |
Guru Nanak |
| The
first of the Gurus and the founder of the Sikh religion was Guru
Nanak. He was born at Talwandi (now known
as Nankana Sahib in Pakistan) on October 20, 1469.
Guru ji mastered Punjabi, Sanskrit and Persian at an early age and in childhood revolted against ritualism, caste, prejudices, hypocrisy and idolatry. He
regarded Hindus and Muslims as equals and referred to himself
as neither Hindu nor Muslim but as
a brother to
all those who believed in God and truth. He made four great journeys, travelling to all parts of India, and into Arabia and Persia; visiting Mecca and Baghdad. He spoke before Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Parsees, and Muslims. He spoke in the temples and mosques, and at various pilgrimage sites. Wherever he went, Guru Nanak spoke out against empty religious rituals, pilgrimages, the caste system, the sacrifice of widows, of depending on books to learn the true religion, and of all the other tenets that were to define his teachings. Never did he ask his listeners to follow him. He asked the Muslims to be true Muslims and the Hindus to be true Hindus. Guru Nanak Dev Ji also gave us three cardinal principles of Sikhism as follows: Naam Japna (to meditate to one God which is absolute Truth). It is the duty for every Sikh to engage in the daily practice of meditation. Every Sikh should keep on remembering God's name at all times. Kirat Karni (earn livelihood by honest means). Sikhism is based on family values and our livelihoods should be earned genuinely by our physical and mental efforts. Vand Chhakna (sharing your earnings with people who are less fortunate than themselves). Every Sikh is asked to give ten percent of his/ her earnings to people who are in need and for the community's welfare and development. |
Guru Angad |
| Guru
Angad was born in 1504. Guru Angad invented and
introduced the Gurmukhi (written form of Punjabi) script and made
it known to all Sikhs.
The
scripture of Guru Granth Sahib Ji is written
in Gurmukhi. This scripture is also the basis of the Punjabi
language. It became the script of the masses very soon. Guru Angad
was a model of self-less service
to his Sikhs and showed them the way to devotional prayers.
He took great interest in the education of the children by opening
many schools for their instruction and thus greatly
increa For the youth he started the tradition of Mall Akhara, where physical as well as spiritual exercises were held. He collected the facts about Guru Nanak Sahib's life from Bhai Bala ji and wrote the first biography of Guru Nanak Sahib. (The Bhai Bale Wali Janamsakhi currently available is not the same as that which Guru Angad Sahib compiled.) He also wrote 63 Saloks (stanzas), these were included in Guru Granth Sahib. He popularized and expanded the institution of 'Guru ka Langar' started by Guru Nanak Sahib earlier . |
Guru Amar Das |
He
was born in 1479. Guru Amardas took
up cudgels of spirituality to fight against
caste restrictions, caste prejudices and the curse of untouchability.
He
strengthened the tradition of the free kitchen,
Guru Ka Langar (started by Guru Nanak),
and made his disciples, whether rich or poor, whether high
born or low born (according to the
Hindu caste system), have their meals together sitting
in one place. He thus established social equality amongst the people. Guru Amardas introduced the Anand Karaj marriage ceremony for the Sikhs, replacing the Hindu form. He also completely abolished amongst the Sikhs, the custom of Sati, in which a married woman was forced to burn herself to death in the funeral pyre of her husband. The custom of Paradah (Purda), in which a woman covered her face with a veil, was also done away with. |
Guru Ram Das |
He
was born in 1534. Guru ji founded the city
of Amritsar and started the construction of the famous Golden
Temple at Amritsar, the holy city
of the Sikhs. He requested the, Muslim Sufi, Mian Mir to lay the
cornerstone of the Harmandir.
The
temple remains open on
all sides and at all times to every one. This indicates that the
Sikhs believe in One God The standard Sikh marriage ceremony known as the Anand Karaj is centered around the Lawan, a four stanza hymn composed by Guru Ram Das ji. The marriage couple circumscribe the Guru Granth Sahib ji as each stanza is read. The first round is the Divine consent for commencing the householders life through marriage. The second round states that the union of the couple has been brought about by God. In the third round the couple is described as the most fortunate as they have sung the praises of the Lord in the company of saints. In the fourth round the feeling of the couple that they have obtained their hearts desire and are being congratulated is described. |
Guru Arjan Dev |
He
was born in 1563. He was the third son of
Guru Ram Das ji. Guru Arjan was a saint and scholar of
the highest quality and repute.
He
compiled the Adi Granth, the scriptures
of the Sikhs, and wrote the Sukhmani Sahib. To make it a universal
teaching, Guru ji included in it hymns of Muslim saints as well
those of low-caste
pariah saints who were never permitted to enter Guru Arjan Dev completed construction of Sri Darbar Sahib also known as Golden Temple in Amritsar. Sri Darbar Sahib welcomes all without discrimination, which is symbolised by the four doors that are open in four directions. Guru ji became the first great martyr in Sikh history when Emperor Jahangir ordered his execution. |
Guru Har Gobind |
| He
was born in 1595. He was
the son of Guru Arjan Dev and was known as a "soldier saint,"
Guru Hargobind ji
organised a small army, explaining that extreme non-violence
and pacifism would only encourage evil and so the principles
of Miri-Piri were established.
 Guru ji taught that it was necessary to take up the sword in order to protect the weak and the oppressed. Guru ji was first Gurus to take up arms to defend the faith. At that time it was only emperors who were allowed to sit on a raised platform, called a takhat or throne. At the age of 13, Guru Hargobind erected Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, ten feet above the ground and adorned two swords, Miri and Piri, representing temporal and spiritual power. |
Guru Har Rai |
He
was born in 1630, spent most of his life
in devotional meditation and preaching the teachings of Guru
Nanak.
 Although, Guru Har Rai Ji was a man of peace, he never disbanded the armed Sikh Warriors (Saint Soldiers), who earlier were maintained by his grandfather, Guru Hargobind. He always boosted the military spirit of the Sikhs, but he never himself indulged in any direct political and armed controversy with the Mughal Empire. Guru ji cautiously avoided conflict with Emperor Aurangzeb and devoted his efforts to missionary work. He also continued the grand task of nation building initiated by Guru Hargobind. |
Guru Har Krishan |
|
He
was born in 1656. Guru Har Krishan was the youngest of the Gurus.
Installed as Guru at the age of five, Guru
ji astonished the Brahmin Pundits with his knowledge and spiritual
powers.
 To the Sikhs he proved to be the very symbol of service, purity and truth. The Guru gave his life while serving and healing the epidemic-stricken people in Delhi. The young Guru began to attend the sufferers irrespective of cast and creed. Particularly, the local Muslim population was much impressed with the purely humanitarian deeds of the Guru Sahib and nicknamed him Bala Pir (child prophet). Even Aurangzeb did not try to disturb Guru Harkrishan Sahib sensing the sensitivity of the situation but on the other hand never dismissed the claim of Ram Rai also. Anyone who invokes Him with a pure heart has no difficulties whatsoever in their life. |
|
Guru Tegh Bahadur |
| He
was born in 1621 in Amritsar.
He
established the town of Anandpur.
The Guru laid down his life for the protection of the Hindu religion,
their Tilak (devotional
forehead markings) and their sacred (janeau) thread. He
was a firm believer in the right of people to the freedom It was for this cause that he faced martyrdom for the defence of the down-trodden Hindus. So pathetic was the torture of Guru Tegh Bahadur that his body had to be cremated clandestinely (a follower burned down his own home to cremate the Guru's body) at Delhi while his severed head was secretly taken four hundred kilometers away to Anandpur Sahib for cremation. Because of his refusal to convert to Islam a forced threatened conversion of the Hindus of Kashmir was thwarted. |
|
Guru Gobind Singh |
He
was born in 1666 and became Guru after the
martyrdom of his father Guru Tegh Bahadur.
He
created the Khalsa (The Pure Ones)
in 1699, changing the Sikhs into a saint-soldier order with special
symbols and sacraments
for protecting themselves. After the Guru had administered Amrit
to his Five Beloved Ones, he stood up in supplication and
with folded hands, begged them to baptize him in the same way as
he had baptized them.
He himself became their disciple (Wonderful is Guru Gobind
Singh, himself the Master and himself the disciple). Thus the tree whose seed was planted by Guru Nanak, came to fruition when Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa, and on 3 October 1708, appointed Guru Granth Sahib as the Guru. He commanded: "Let all bow before my successor, Guru Granth. The Word is the Guru now." |
|
Guru Granth Sahib ji |
Guru
Granth Sahib (also known as the Adi Granth)
is the scripture of the Sikhs. No Sikh ceremony is regarded
as complete unless it is performed in the presence of Guru Granth
Sahib.
The Granth was written in Gurmukhi script and it contains the actual words and verses as uttered by the Sikh Gurus. It
is considered the Supreme Spiritual
Authority and Head of the Sikh religion, rather than any living
person. It is also the
only scripture of its kind which not only contains the works
of its own religious founders but also the writings of people of
other faiths. The living Guru of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib ji is held in great reverence by Sikhs and treated with the utmost respect. Guru Granth Sahib ji is a Revelation. It conveys the Word of the Master through His messengers on earth. It is universal in its scope. The greatness of Guru Granth Sahib lies not only in its being the Holy Scripture of the Sikhs but also in it being a general scripture available to mankind, intended for everybody, everywhere. |
|
Panj Pyaras |
| Bhai
daya Ram: A Khatri from Lahore and named
Bhai Daya Singh. Bhai Dharam: A Jat from Delhi and named Bhai Dharam Singh. Bhai Mokham Chand: A Washerman from Dwarka and named Bhai Moham Singh. Bhai Sahib Chand: A Barber from Bidar named Bhai Sahib Singh. Bhai Himmat Rai: A Water-carrier from Jagan-Nath and named Bhai Himmat Singh. |
Char Sahibzadas |
| Baba
Ajit Singh Ji Baba Jujhar Singh Ji Baba Jorawar Singh Ji Baba Fateh Singh Ji |
Chalih Muktar |
| The martyres in the battle at Mukatsar on 29 December 1705: |
| Bhag Singh, Dilbagh Singh, Ganda Singh, Gharbara Singh, Nidhan Singh Waraich (husband of Mai Bhago), Rai Singh, Mohan Singh, Bhaga Singh, Bhola Singh, Bur Singh, Chamba Singh, Darbara Singh, Dayal Singh, Dhanna Singh, Dharam Singh, Ganga Singh, Gulab Singh, Harsa Singh, Hari Singh, Jadan Singh, Joga Singh, Jang Singh, Kalha Singh, Karam Singh, Karan Singh, Khushal Singh, Kirat Singh, Kirpal Singh, Lachhman Singh, Majja Singh, Man Singh, Mayya Singh, Nihal Singh, Sadhu Singh, Samir Singh, Sant Singh, Sarja Singh, Sobha Singh, Suhal Singh, Sultan Singh. |
sed
literacy. 
who
has no partiality for any particular place,
direction or time. 
various temples. 
of
worship. 
The Five Beloved Ones were astonished at such a proposal,
and represented their own unworthiness, and the greatness of the
Guru, whom they deemed God's representative upon earth. He gave
the Sikhs the name Singh (lion) or Kaur (princess).
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