Sikhism

Sikhism

• Founded about 500 years ago by Guru Nanak (1469) in the Punjab (India).

• A few hundred years before Guru Nanak, the Punjab was taken over by Muslims and was now under Muslim rule.

• The Hindus and Muslims were continually fighting each other.

Guru Nanak

• At the age of 30 Nanak disappeared for three days and everyone thought he drowned.

• When he returned his first words were, “There is neither Hindu nor Muslim, so whose path shall I follow? I shall follow God’s path.”

Guru Nanak

• Nanak believed that the outward differences between religions didn’t matter to God and that the truth of all religions was the same.

Guru Nanak

• He spent the rest of his life spreading his message.

• His followers became know as Sikhs (disciples).

• Nanak died in 1539.

Guru Nanak

• One legend describes a disagreement around his body at death.

• His disciples, influenced by Hinduism, wanted to cremate his body, while those influenced by Islam wanted to bury his body.

• When the time came they found that his body had vanished into thin air.

• When Nanak was near death, he chose one of his followers to succeed him.

• He changed Lehna’s name to Angad which means “part of me.”

• For 200 years Sikh beliefs were passed down through a chain of 10 Gurus.

• The 10th Guru (1666-1708) chose the book Guru Granth Sahib to succeed him and guide all future followers.

• Both the 5th and 9th Gurus were put to death for their beliefs under Muslim persecution.

• The 10th Guru founded the community of the Khalsa (the pure) to resist oppression and defend their faith, by the sword if necessary.

Guru Granth Sahib

• Sikhs treat the book with utmost respect, but they do not worship it.

• It is made up of many hymns written by the Gurus.

• It also includes writings from other faiths – including both Muslim and Hindu.

Statement of Sikh belief that begins the Guru Granth Sahib

God is one and eternal. He is to be found in all things and is the sustainer of all things. He is the creator and to be found in creation. He is

without fear or enmity. He is timeless and beyond birth and death. He is known through

God’s grace.

Beliefs

• There is only one God.

• Through reincarnation the soul goes through the cycle of birth and rebirth endlessly.

• To stop this cycle you must worship God by living honestly and caring for others.

• This includes giving a tenth of your income to those in need. Everyone is equal in the eyes of God.

• The caste system is wrong.

Beliefs

• Upon death a person’s soul either comes back as another life or, if the person has led a good life, it will merge with God.

• Marking graves with gravestones is discouraged so that people won’t worship the dead body.

• At death, public displays of grief are not encouraged because only the body has died, not the soul.

Worship

• Each day begins by washing and reflecting on the Gurus’ teachings.

• Sikhs can worship at home if they have a copy of the scriptures.

Worship

• The Temple is the most important place for Sikhs to meet for worship, socialization and education.

• Many Temples are open day and night and provide meals and a place to sleep for anyone who needs it.

Worship

• Every temple has a dining room.

• Sikhs always serve a meal after worship.

• Food and money for the meal are given by the worshipers.

Worship

• Men and women serve together and vegetarian dishes are served so that people of all religions can eat together.

Worship

• Sikhs do not have a holy day during the week and one can go to worship any day.

• At worship everyone must cover their head, take off their shoes and wash before entering the prayer room.

Worship

• Everyone sits on the floor as a sign of equality, however, men and women often sit separately.

• There are no priests.

Worship

• Any Sikh man or women can read from the scriptures and lead the worship.

• Guru Nanak felt that rituals were unnecessary, so worship does not have a set form.

Worship

• Worship is made up of scriptural readings and their explanations.

Worship

• The scriptures are placed on a platform which raises above the people.

• It is given the same status of a living Guru.

Worship

• A canopy hangs over it during the day and it is put in a special room at night.

Worship

• Whenever it is moved it is carried above the head for respect.

Worship

• Worship also involves the singing of hymns.

• The service ends in prayer and karah parshad is prepared and shared with the congregation.

• Worship is always followed by a shared meal.

Worship

• Sikhs celebrate some of the same festivals as Hindus but they often have a slightly different meaning.

The five K’s

• Kesh – uncut hair.

• Interfere as little as possible with nature.

• Men keep their hair in a turban.

• Young boys often use a small cloth called a patka.

The five K’s

• Kangha – wood comb.

• Long hair must be kept neat and tidy. The comb is worn in the hair – often covered by a turban.

The five K’s

• Kachera – white shorts worn under the clothes.

• Symbolizes purity and modesty.

The five K’s

• Kara – steel bracelet.

• Circle represents eternity and the steel symbolizes strength, purity and a reminder to fight only for God.

The five K’s

• Kirpan – a symbolic short sword.

• A reminder to fight for the truth and defend the weak and oppressed.

Sikh Symbol on their orange flag

• The circle represents eternity and Sikh unity.

Sikh Symbol on their orange flag

• The crossed swords are a reminder to Sikhs that they should be prepared to defend their faith.

Sikh Symbol on their orange flag

• The double-edged sword represents the power of truth.