SIKHISM

SIKHISM
Sikhism is monotheistic and stresses the equality of all men and women.
Sikhism is about doing good actions, not just carrying out rituals without a
specific purpose.
It was discovered by Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Sikhism was discovered in the 16th Century
Followers: 30 Million Followers
Of total population: 0.4 %
5th largest religion
Sikhism was born in the Punjab area of South Asia, which now falls into
the present day states of India and Pakistan.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji
• Hazards of Marriage
• Life as an Accountant
• Start of a Family
• Jailed by Jealousy
• Communion with God
• Discussions with the Yogis
• The Final Years
WHO AND WHAT IS A SIKH?
 Who and What is a Sikh?
The word 'sikh' in the punjabi language means
'disciple‘ or ‘learner’.
"Sikh" properly refers to adherents of Sikhism as a
religion, not an ethnic group.
 Who and What is a Sikh?

Any human being who faithfully believes in:

(i) one immortal being,
(ii) ten gurus, from guru nanak to guru gobind singh,
(iii) the guru granth sahib,
(iv) the utterances and teachings of the ten gurus and,
(v) the baptism bequeathed by the tenth guru, and who
does not owe allegiance to any other religion is a sikh.
-Rehat maryada, sikh code of conduct
PHILOSOPHY AND BELIEFS
Philosophy and Beliefs

• The philosophy of Sikhism is covered in great detail in

the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy text. Detailed
guidance is given to followers on how to conduct their
lives so that peace and salvation can be obtained.
 Philosophy and Beliefs
1. Underlying values
• The Sikhs must believe in the following values:
• Equality: All humans are equal before God – no discrimination is
allowed on the basis of caste, race, gender, creed, origin, color,
education, status, wealth, et cetera. The principles of universal
equality and brotherhood are important pillars of Sikhism.
• Personal right: A Sikh is expected to rise early, meditate and pray,
consume simple food, perform an honest day's work, carry out
duties for his or her family, enjoy life and always be positive, be
charitable and support the needy, et cetera.
 Philosophy and Beliefs

• Sharing: It is encouraged to share and give to charity 10 percent of one’s

net earnings.
• Accept God’s will: One should develop one’s personality so as to
recognise the unity behind happy events and miserable events – the will
of God causes them.
• The four fruits of life: Truth, contentment, contemplation and Naam (in
the name of God).
 Philosophy and Beliefs
2. Prohibited Behavior
• Material obsession: ("Maya") Accumulation of materials has no meaning in Sikhi.
Wealth such as gold, portfolio, stocks, commodities, properties, et cetera, will all be
left here on Earth when you depart. Do not get attached to them.
• Sacrifice of creatures: Sati – Widows throwing themselves in the funeral pyre of
their husbands, the act of slaughtering lambs and calves to celebrate holy occasions
• Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip and lying are not permitted.
• Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (Kutha meat): Sikhs are strictly
prohibited from eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (such as halal or kosher,
known as Kutha meat), or any meat where langar is served. In some small Sikh Sects,
The meat eaten by Sikhs is known as Jhatka meat.
• Having premarital or extramarital sexual relations
3. Technique and Method
• Naam: Meditate upon God’s name (Waheguru in the Sikh
religion) through verbal the mind is stilled and cleansed in
order to become one with God. The technique taught by the
Guru Granth Sahib is "Urd Uhrd". This means to inhale with
the "Wahe" syllable and exhale on the "Guru" syllable.
• Kirat Karni: - Earning an honest living while remembering the
Lord.
• Vand Chakna: - Share with others who are deserving, as
during langar
4. Other Observations
• Reincarnation, karma and salvation: – Every creature has a soul. Upon
death, the soul is passed from one body to another until liberation The
journey of the soul is governed by the deeds and actions that we
perform during our lives.
• Humanity (brotherhood): All human beings are equal. We are sons and
daughters of Waheguru, the Almighty.
• Conquer the five thieves: It is every Sikh's duty to defeat these five
thieves: Pride (a’Hankar), Anger (Kr’odh), Greed (Lob’H), Attachment
(Mo’H), and Lust (K’haam). Known collectively as P.A.G.A.L.
• Attack with Five Weapons: Contentment (Santokh), Charity (Dan),
Kindness (Daya ), Positive Energy (Chardi Kala), Humility (Nimarta).
• Having premarital sexual or extramarital relations: Sikhs are required
to be faithful to their spouse. All forms of adultery are prohibited.
HISTORY AND PRACTICES
 History and Practices
The founder of the Sikh religion was Guru Nanak who was born in 1469. He
preached a message of love and understanding and criticized the blind rituals of
the Hindus and Muslims. Guru Nanak passed on his enlightened leadership of
this new religion to nine successive Gurus. The final living Guru, Guru Gobind
Singh died in 1708.
During his lifetime Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa order (meaning
'The Pure'), soldier-saints. The Khalsa uphold the highest Sikh virtues of
commitment, dedication and a social conscious. The Khalsa are men and women
who have undergone the Sikh baptism ceremony and who strictly follow the Sikh
Code of Conduct and Conventions and wear the prescribed physical articles of the
faith. One of the more noticeable being the uncut hair (required to be covered with
a turban for men) and the Kirpan (ceremonial sword).
 History and Practices
Before his death in 1708 Guru Gobind Singh declared that the Sikhs
no longer needed a living and appointed his spiritual successor as Sri
Guru Granth Sahib, his physical successor as the Khalsa. Guru
Gobind Singh felt that all the wisdom needed by Sikhs for spiritual
guidance in their daily lives could be found in Sri Guru Granth
Sahib, the Eternal Guru of the Sikhs. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is
unique in the world of religious scriptures because not only is it
accorded the status of being the spiritual head of the Sikh religion,
but besides the poetry of the Gurus, it also contains the writings of
saints of other faiths whose thoughts were consistent with those of
the Sikh Gurus.
 History and Practices

Sikhism does not have priests, which were abolished by Guru

Gobind Singh. The Guru felt that they had become corrupt and full of
ego. Sikhs only have custodians of the Guru Granth Sahib (granthi),
and any Sikh is free to read the Guru Granth Sahib in the Gurdwara
(a Sikh temple) or in their home. All people of all religions are
welcome to the Gurdwara. A free community kitchen can be found at
every Gurdwara which serves meals to all people of all faiths. Guru
Nanak first started this institution which outline the basic Sikh
principles of service, humility and equality.
 History and Practices

The most significant historical religious center for the Sikhs

is Harmiandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) at Amritsar in the
state of Punjab in northern India. It is the inspirational and
historical center of Sikhism but is not a mandatory place of
pilgrimage or worship. All places where Sri Guru Granth
Sahib are installed are considered equally holy for Sikhs.
Origins & Development of Sikhism
Origins & Development of Sikhism
1. The Sikh Gurus
What does Guru mean in Sikhism. Detailed biographies of the
ten Gurus.
2. Sikh Saints
Biographies of inspirational Sikh Saints who lived during the
lifetime of the Gurus
3. Historical Gurdwaras of Punjab
Photographs and historical details of the major Gurdwaras
(Sikh Temples) of Punjab.
The Sikh Gurus

The word "Guru" is a Sanskrit word meaning teacher,

honoured person, religious person or saint. Sikhism though
has a very specific definition of the word Guru.
This honour of being called a Sikh Guru applies only to the
ten Gurus who founded the religion starting with Guru Nanak
in 1469 and ending with Guru Gobind Singh in 1708;
The Sikh Gurus
Thereafter it refers to the Sikh Holy Scriptures the Guru
Granth Sahib. The divine spirit was passed from one Guru to
the next as "The light of a lamp which lights another does not
abate. Similarly a spiritual leader and his disciple become
equal, Nanak says the truth."
Sikhism rejects any form of idol worship including worship
of pictures of the Gurus. Although some of the Gurus did
pose for paintings, unfortunately none of these historical
paintings have survived. Artists renditions are for
inspirational purposes only and should not be regarded as
objects of worship themselves.
The Sikh Gurus

Sikhism rejects any form of idol worship including

worship of pictures of the Gurus. Although some of
the Gurus did pose for paintings, unfortunately none
of these historical paintings have survived. Artists
renditions are for inspirational purposes only and
should not be regarded as objects of worship
themselves.
The Great Masters of Sikhism
 The First Master: Guru Nanak (1469 to 1539)
 The Second Master:: Guru Angad (1504 to 1552)
 The Third Master: Guru Amar Das (1479 to 1574)
 The Fourth Master: Guru Ram Das (1534 to 1581)
 The Fifth Master: Guru Arjan (1563 to 1606)
 The Sixth Master: Guru Hargobind (1595 to 1644)
 The Seventh Master: Guru Har Rai (1630 to 1661)
 The Eighth Master: Guru Harkrishan (1656 to 1664)
 The Ninth Master: Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621 to 1675)
 The Tenth Master: Guru Gobind Singh (1666 to 1708)
The Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Granth Sahib is a collection

of devotional hymns and poetry
which proclaims God, lays stress
on meditation on the True Guru
(God), and lays down moral and
ethical rules for development of
the soul, spiritual salvation and
unity with God.
The Sikh Saints
The Panj Piaras (The Five Beloved Ones)

Bhai Dharam Singh

Bhai Daya Singh
Bhai Mukham Singh
Bhai Sahib Singh
Bhai Himmat Singh
Historical Gurdwaras of
Punjab
Gurdwaras
The Sikh temple is called a Gurdwara. The
word 'Gurdwara' means 'Gateway to the Guru'.
In Sikhism ones personal dedication to living a
good life is important but another important
aspect of Sikhism is the Sangat (congregation).
Not only should one meditate on God on their
individual level but also on a corporate level.
Historical Gurdwaras of
Punjab

Langer
Historical Gurdwaras of
Punjab
Langer/Langar
Another common feature of all Gurdwaras around the
world is Langer, the free community kitchen. Here food is
served to all people who sit together to enjoy a communal
meal.
It is a symbol of the Sikh belief in a non-sexist, non-racist
society where all people of all casts, religions are equal and
can share a common meal in the true spirit of unity.
Historical Gurdwaras of Punjab

Sarovar
Historical Gurdwaras of Punjab
Sarovar
Many of the Gurdwaras in Punjab have a pool (sarovar)
for bathing in. In Sikhism one can bathe in these pools if
they wish, but they should be pure inside in order to
accomplish anything.
For the water may clean you on the outside, but it
cannot clean you on the inside if your heart is not pure.
Unlike some religions, pilgrimages is not a part of
Sikhism.
 B OL S
SY M
  Kesh:
 Kangha: Long unshorn hair. A symbol of
Comb. A symbol of hygiene spirituality. The Kesh reminds a
and discipline as opposed to Khalsa to behave like the Guru's.
It is a mark of dedication and
the matted unkept hair of group consciousness, showing a
ascetics. A Khalsa is Khalsa's acceptance of God's
expected to regularly wash will. Long hair have long been a
common element of many
and comb their hair as a spiritual prophets of various
matter of self discipline. religions such as Jesus, Moses
 Kara: and Buddha.
Steel bracelet. A symbol  Kirpan:
to remind the wearer of Ceremonial Sword. A symbol of
restraint in their actions dignity and the Sikh struggle
and remembrance of  Kachera/Kaccha: against injustice. It is worn
God at all times. cotton underwear) purely as a religious symbol and
symbolizes modesty. not as a weapon.
Ik Onkar 
Ik Onkar 
 is the symbol that represents the One Supreme Reality
 To simplify Ik means one, Oang the creator and Kar means the
creation. So the creator and his creation are not different and He
the supreme creator resides everywhere and in everything.
 The sound is Oang (anhad naad) and Kar is the never ending
continuation of Oang sound. This melody manifests in billions of
galaxies and universes and leads to protect and preserve.
Ultimately, everything gets merged back into this sound; this has
happened countless times before.
CEREMONIES AND FESTIVALS
 Nam Karan, Naming of a Child
As soon as the mother and child are able to travel, the
family visits the Gurdwara. There they recite joyful
hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib to celebrate the birth
of the new child.
 Funeral Ceremony
The dead body is usually bathed and clothed by family
members and taken to the cremation grounds. There hymns
are recited which induce feeling of detachment are recited by
the congregation. As the body is being cremated, Kirtan
Sohila the nighttime prayer is recited and Ardas is offered.
The ashes are disposed of by immersing them in the nearest
river. A non continuos reading of the entire Sri Guru Granth
Sahib is undertaken and timed to conclude on the tenth day.
This may be undertaken at home or in the Gurdwara. The
conclusion of this ceremony marks the end of the mourning
period.
 Akhand Path
This is the non-stop cover to cover reading of Sri Guru
Granth Sahib which is undertaken to celebrate any joyous
occasion or in times of hardship, such as birth, marriage,
death, moving into a new house, and Gurpurbs.
Divali (Bandi Chhor Divasi)

The festival of lights, Sikhs remember the release

from prison and return to Amritsar of the
sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind in 1619. The name
Bandi Chhor Divas means liberation of prisoners
day.
Vaisakhi
Also spelled Baisakhi, is one of the most important
dates in the Sikh calendar. It is the Sikh New Year
festival and is celebrated on April 13 or 14. It also
commemorates 1699, the year Sikhism was born as a
collective faith.