1. Sikhism
Disciples of Ekankar

2. Compromise: Hinduism & Islam
Founding of Sikhism
Compromise: Hinduism & Islam
Sixteenth century
Influenced of Hindu Bhakti school and Islam Sufi resurgence
Influenced by Poet Kabir ( ) – father a Muslim and mother Hindu
Preached equality of all people
Against caste system

3. Founding of Sikhism Founder Nanak (1469-1538)
Hindu father & Muslim mother
Believed God transcends established religious distinctions
Direct call at age 30 – established as a Guru
Guru in Hinduism = spiritual teacher
Guru in Sikhism = embodiment of God

4. Founding of Sikhism Founder There is no Muslim and there is no Hindu
Traveled around in the Punjab region gathering disciples
Occasional miracles
Piety – devotion and inconoclasm
Hindu practices: bathing
Muslim practices: Visit Mecca

5. Founding of Sikhism Nanak’s Teachings Only one God
May be called by different names
Beyond being able to be categorized by either Muslims or Hindus
Referred to God as “Sat Nam” = true name (no personal identity)
Other names:
Ekankar – “one lord” (most used today)
Wahi Guru – “hail to the guru”

6. Founding of Sikhism Nanak’s Teachings
God not a personal god as with Islam and Judaism
Avoided Hindu’s pantheism identifying with all reality
Retained reincarnation and karma

7. Founding of Sikhism Nanak’s Teachings Cycle of Samsara - Reincarnation
Person undergoes rebirths in the world of maya until release
Maya – refers to lesser painful reality of mundane existence, not illusion
Devotion to God essential to escape from samsara
Sometimes associated with Bhakti tradition
Encouraged disciples have mystical experience

8. Founding of Sikhism Nanak’s Teachings Worship
Seek mystical experience with God
Chanting nam and various hymns
At death - soul that is joined with God merges its light with the pure light of God
Sikh salvation does not differ categorically from Atman-Brahman in Hindu Vedanta

9. Historical Development
Founding of Sikhism
Historical Development
Gurus
Succession based primarily on character and spirituality
Developed future directions,
Angad ( ) – collected hymns
Amar Das ( ) – subdivisions, taxes, pilgrimages to sacred places (sacred wells)
Ram Das ( )
Founded town of Amritsar (pool of nectar)
Practice of communal meals when had Mogul emperor, Akbar, visited and Ram Das had him sit with common people to eat.

10. Historical Development
Founding of Sikhism
Historical Development
Gurus
Developed future directions
Arjan ( )
Martyrdom - Son of Akbar, Jahangir, considered Ram Das a blaspheming Islam had him boiled but released at last moment but died of wounds.
Amristar completed
Collected Adi Granth – “Holy Scriptures” - Collection of his hymns and those composed by his predecessors and joined them to other hymns and poetry such as Kabir
Did not see the way of pacifism as maintainable so instructed his son to develop militaristic way

11. Historical Development
Founding of Sikhism
Historical Development
Gurus
Developed future directions
Har Gobind ( )
Founded Sikh army
Wearing two swords to symbolize political and spiritual authority
Protected existence of community
Har Rai ( )
Solidified it as a political community
Har Kishan ( )

12. Historical Development
Founding of Sikhism
Historical Development
Gurus
Developed future directions
Tegh Bahad ( )
Martyred
Resisted emperor Aurangzeb’s demand to convert to Islam but refused and was beheaded
Gobind Rai ( )
Known also as Gofind Singh
Singhs = lions, Kaurs = princesses
Established Khalas of fighting men – commitment resisting persecution
Declared he was last Guru and Adi Granth be only guru
Assassinated by Muslims

13. Founding of Sikhism Modern History
Colonization by Britain had already begun at Gobind Singh’s death (1708)
Sikhs were good soldiers hired by Britain
Dressed conspicuously (five k’s): kesh - long hair under turban, kangha - steel comb in hair, kach – shorts; kara – steel bracelet, kirpan – sword or dagger
Became known for military prowess

14. Founding of Sikhism Modern History
Partitioning of India (Hindus) and Pakistan (Muslims)
East Pakistan became Bangladesh
Caught between Hindu and Muslim conflict which put part of Punjab province in each area
Radical section of Sikhs
Indira Gandhi ordered occupation of temple in Amritsar in 1982
Indira Gandhi’s Sikh body guard assassintanted

15. Founding of Sikhism Sikh Worship
Revolves around worship of God as in Adi Granth, high moral standards, and solidarity with Sikh community
Entering Sikh community
“Baptism” – drinks holy water in name of guru
Emphasis on devotion to God not ritual
Regular temple services

16. Founding of Sikhism Sikh Worship
Central Temple – Golden Temple Amritsar
Four entrances – symbolizes all castes to worship in harmony
Houses the original Adi Granth
No required pilgrimage but many go to Golden Temple once in their lives
Similar to Mosques – large open area with rostrum in front, copy of Adi Granth, and offering box (flowers decorate)

17. Founding of Sikhism Sikh Worship Worship Open for personal devotion
Midweek services for men and women separate
Say they do not worship a book but give divine honor to Adi Granth
Adi Granth = Guru Granth or Granth Sahib (illustrious book)
Disrespectful to turn back to book
Chanting with men on right & women left

18. Founding of Sikhism Sikh Worship Worship
Honored member of community stands behind book and waves horsetail over it
Everyone receives a lump of sugar expressing communal solidarity
Communal meal follows chanting service
Women have more equal place in Sikh society