Sikhisim

What is a Sikh? 'Sikh' in the Punjabi language means 'disciple', Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus.

Philosophy and Beliefs There is only One God. He is the same God for all people of all religions.

Philosophy and Beliefs The soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches the human form. The goal of our life is to lead an exemplary existence so that one may merge with God. Sikhs should remember God at all times and practice living a virtuous and truthful life while maintaining a balance between their spiritual obligations and temporal obligations.

Philosophy and Beliefs The true path to achieving salvation and merging with God does not require renunciation of the world or celibacy, but living the life of a householder, earning a honest living and avoiding worldly temptations and sins.

Philosophy and Beliefs Sikhism preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are all equal in the eyes of God. It teaches the full equality of men and women. Women can participate in any religious function or perform any Sikh ceremony or lead the congregation in prayer.

Philosophy and Beliefs There is only one God, he is the Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer. God cannot take human form The goal of human life is to break the cycle of birth's and deaths and merge with God. This can be accomplished by following the teachings of the Guru, meditation on the Holy Name and performance of acts of service and charity The five cardinal vices are; Kam (lust), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Moh (worldly attachment) and Ahankar (pride). If one can overcome these, they will achieve salvation Narm Marg; emphasizes daily devotion to the remembrance of God

Philosophy and Beliefs Rejection of all forms of blind rituals such as fasting, religious vegetarianism, pilgrimages, superstitions, yoga, as well as any form of idol worship Normal Family life (Grasth) is encouraged, celibacy or renunciation of the world is not necessary to achieve salvation. The devotee must live in the world yet keep his mind pure. He must be a soldier, a scholar, a saint Sikhism rejects all distinctions of caste, creed, race or sex The Guru's stressed the full equality of women, rejecting female infanticide, sati (wife burning), permitting widow remarriage and rejects purdah (women wearing veils)

Philosophy and Beliefs Honest labor and work (Kirat Karna) are the approved way of living ones life. It is considered honorable to earn ones daily bread through honest work and not by begging or dishonest means Vand Chhakna, sharing with others is also a social responsibility. The individual is expected to help others in need through charity Seva, community service is also an intergral part of Sikhism. The free community kitchen (langar) found at every gurdwara and open to people of all religions is one expression of this community service

Guru Nanak The founder of the Sikh religion –born in –He preached a message of love and understanding and criticized the blind rituals of the Hindus and Muslims. Nine successive Gurus. –The final living Guru died in 1708 Guru Gobind Singh

Khalsa established the Khalsa order –(meaning 'The Pure') soldier-saints. –commitment –dedication –social conscious

Khalsa –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.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib 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.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib 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

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.

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Gurdwaras remove the shoes cover ones bare head –signs of respect towards the sovereignty of the Guru Granth Sahib. Hands are washed –In some Gurdwaras there are also feet washes.

Gurdwaras Approaching the Guru Granth Sahib one is expected to bow down and touch the floor as a sign of further respect towards the Eternal Sikh Guru. Offerings of cash are usually made at this time –These offerings are voluntary and not compulsory.

Gurdwaras All people irrespective of their status sit on the floor as a sign of equality One may enter or leave the congregation at any time. Men and women do not generally sit together but on separate sides of the room –both at an equal distance from the Guru Granth Sahib.

Gurdwaras Gurdwaras are open to all people of all religions and are generally open 24 hours a day. –Some Gurdwaras also provide temporary accommodations for visitors or pilgrims. –Only vegetarian food is served so that no person may be offended and all people of all religions can sit together to share a common meal irrespective of any dietary restrictions.

Spiritual Evolution Stage 1: Manmukh –A person who is self-centered and only thinks about himself and the material world around him and is totally oblivious to God.

Spiritual Evolution Stage 2: Sikh –Anyone who sets out on the path of learning and meets the specific definition of a Sikh as appears in the Reht Maryada (Official Code of Conduct).

Spiritual Evolution Stage 3: Khalsa –Total dedication to Sikhism. One who has has shed his ego and personality and truly honors the memory of Guru Gobind Singh through his actions and deeds.

Spiritual Evolution Stage 4: Gurmukh –One who has achieved mukhti (salvation) and is totally God-centered

The Physical Articles of Faith Kesh: –Long unshorn hair. A symbol of spirituality. The Kesh reminds a Khalsa to behave like the Guru's. It is a mark of dedication and group consciousness, showing a Khalsa's acceptance of God's will. Long hair have long been a common element of many spiritual prophets of various religions such as Jesus, Moses and Buddha.

Dastar Dastar: –Turban. A symbol of royalty and dignity. It differentiates Sikhs from other religious followers who keep long hair but wear caps or keep matted hair. The turban cannot be covered by any other head gear or replaced by a cap or hat. The turban is mandatory for Sikh men and optional for Sikh women.

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Kangha Kangha: –Comb. A symbol of hygiene and discipline as opposed to the matted unkempt hair of ascetics. A Khalsa is expected to regularly wash and comb their hair as a matter of self discipline.

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Kara Kara: –Steel bracelet. A symbol to remind the wearer of restraint in their actions and remembrance of God at all times.

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Kachha Kachha: –Drawers. A symbol signifying self control and chastity.

Kirpan Kirpan: –Ceremonial Sword. A symbol of dignity and the Sikh struggle against injustice. It is worn purely as a religious symbol and not as a weapon.

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Religious Emblems The Khanda is the symbol of the Sikhs – as the Cross is to Christians or the Star of David is to Jews. –The symbol derives its name from the double-edged sword called a Khanda –This double-edged sword is a metaphor of Divine Knowledge, its sharp edges cleaving Truth from Falsehood. –The circle around the Khanda is the Chakar. The Chakar being a circle without a beginning or and end symbolizes the perfection of God who is eternal. –The Chakar is surrounded by two curved swords called Kirpans. These two swords symbolize the twin concepts of Meeri and Peeri - Temporal and Spiritual authority introduced by Guru Hargobind. –They emphasize the equal emphasis that a Sikh must place on spiritual aspirations as well as obligations to society.

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Religious Emblems Nishan Sahib is the name given to the flag which is seen flying outside every Sikh Gurdwara (Temple). –It is a triangular piece of ochre or saffron colored cloth with the Khanda emblem in the middle. –The flag post also has a khanda or spear on top and is usually covered with the same cloth as the flag.

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