Toby Stimpson
May 20th, 2007, 01:30 AM
One of the five largest Monotheistics religions of the world, Sikhism... or properly called Sikh Dharma, is a dharmic religion and was originally said to be a synthesis between Hinduism and Islam. With nearly 20 Million devotees worldwide, it is the fifth largest religion.
Beleifs
Sikhism does not see a dualism or polytheism in their theology, and denies the existance of avatars or multiuple Gods. They worship God in his High, non attributable form. Their system revolves around the system of karma and reincarnation as well as the idea of the Atman. Unlike hinduism, Sikhs do not see a varna caste system (despite having castes in Punjabi culture), seeing the idea of caste as non compatible with the idea of Karma. They believe that through good deeds and serving the community, one reaches eventual Moksha. Indeed, one might say that Sikhs are a Bhakti religion, but duty to the community goes higher than personal salvation.
They do not believe in any intermediaries between them and God, and unlike other religions attendance at a Gurdwara is nonmandatory... but highly reccomended. Every Sikh family has in it;s possession a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, and readings are often done once a week or more.
In regards to other religion, the theological position is that no oen ahs the monopoly on Divine truth and prorogation in order to convert others is strictly forbidden. All who come to look into Sikhism are welcomes, but it is viewed as a sin to disvcredit other beliefs inorder to place your own higher.
Scriptures
It's holy book is called the Guru Granth Shib (or just Guru Granth), and is a compilation of Hymns and teachings created and formed over several generations by the Gurus. The holy book is revered as the living embodiment of the 11th Guru, and great reverence and personal attention is paid to the book. One tradition states that old copies of the Granth cannot survive, as age would disrespect the power of the Guru, and so any book older than 80 years is burned and replaced with a new one. This goes along the same thought as laying the book on an actual bed at night, in order to create comfort for the book.
Founder
It's founder was Sri Guru Nanak Devji (see below) who, being unconvinced by both Hinduism and islam began to meditate until he saw a vision of God. He began preaching and reforming what he considered to be social evils such as Caste and the killing of animals. When he died, he had a sizable following. He passed his Guruship to his main desciple, Guru Angad. Each Guru after Nanak is given the honorific title of 'Nanak', signifying the belef that each is a re-embodyment of the original. One of Nanak's most famous quotes was, "There are no Hindus. There are no Muslims." Upon his death, a common tale states that his hindu followers wanted to cremate him, and his Muslim followers wanted to bury him. Upon arriving at his death bed, he told them all, "Come back tomorrow, and the Hindus may take half of my body and cremate it, and the Muslims may take my other half and bury it." The Hindus and Muslims were all horrified, but in respect departed to allow him to die. When they returned the next morning, they were surprised to find that his body was gone and was instead a bed of flowers. The Hindus and Muslims both took their respective halves and carried out their rituals.
http://www.mysticwicks.com/photoalbum/albums/userpics/20647/Guru1_Nanak.JPG
Because the religion is so young, it's history is well recorded with little Mythology surrounding it. As a result, a very concrete picture has emerged of Sikh Dharma. It's principal historical areas of Influence were chiefly Punjab region in what is now Pakistan, and India. Sikhism became the most popular religion in Punjab, becoming inextrovicably woven with the Punjabi culture. Gurmukhi, a form of the Punjabi language was sanctioned as the official writings of the Guru Granth Sahib, and many Gurdwaras teach Gurmukhi.
It's main center of worship is Amritsar, Punjab State in North india, where the greatest and most holiest shrine is located.
The Sri Harmandir Sahib (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_golden_temple#Operation_Blue_Star) ("House of God"), formally known as the Golden Temple of Amritsar, is a large complex of shrines and buildings seen to represent different aspects of the Sikh faith. It's most recognizable and holiest shrine is the Golden plated Mandir in the center of the holy pool, opposite the Akal Takht. Every day pilgrims from around the world come to pay their respects and listen to the readings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the main mandir daily. Also, every day the complex kitchen serves meals to anyone who calls at their door, serving around a million meals monthly. First founded many years before, it was officially recognized and supported as a center of learning and worship by Guru Arjan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Arjan).
Dress
It's followers are perhaps one of the most recognizable groups on the planet. men wearing the traditional Turban and growing and grooming their beards and hair long, these facts alone make followers so recognizable. The traditional dress, The Turban, the beard, and the wearing of the ceremonial sheaved dagger the kirpan, was introduced as a way to mobilize and identify the sikh community from other communities around it. Over time, items were added.
In respect, both women and men cover their heads, and it is often for traditional Punjabi and Sikh families to start grooming their chidlren's hair in a top knot.
Symbols
There are two very prominant symbols related to Sikhism, the Onkar, and the Khanda symbol.
http://z.about.com/d/altreligion/1/0/7/O/2/ekonkar.jpg
http://z.about.com/d/atheism/1/0/N/B/sikh_khanda.gif
The EkOnkar is the Gurmukhi equivalent of the Aum symbol, with exactly the same meaning. The only difference is pronunciation, like the Tibetan langauge.. Om is pronounded as ON. The symbol servs as reminder of the Unity with god, and is often found on Gurdwaras and near the seat of the Holy Guru Granth Sahib.
The Khanda is a symbol representing the various pieces of Sikh unity and loyalty. The two swords representing the acts of protecting the weak and the innocent. Fior a greater look at the symbolism of the Khanda look here: http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefskhanda.htm
Other resources:
http://www.sikhs.org/topics.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism
http://www.sikhnet.com/
http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/
http://www.sikhism.com/
http://www.sikhiwiki.org/
Beleifs
Sikhism does not see a dualism or polytheism in their theology, and denies the existance of avatars or multiuple Gods. They worship God in his High, non attributable form. Their system revolves around the system of karma and reincarnation as well as the idea of the Atman. Unlike hinduism, Sikhs do not see a varna caste system (despite having castes in Punjabi culture), seeing the idea of caste as non compatible with the idea of Karma. They believe that through good deeds and serving the community, one reaches eventual Moksha. Indeed, one might say that Sikhs are a Bhakti religion, but duty to the community goes higher than personal salvation.
They do not believe in any intermediaries between them and God, and unlike other religions attendance at a Gurdwara is nonmandatory... but highly reccomended. Every Sikh family has in it;s possession a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, and readings are often done once a week or more.
In regards to other religion, the theological position is that no oen ahs the monopoly on Divine truth and prorogation in order to convert others is strictly forbidden. All who come to look into Sikhism are welcomes, but it is viewed as a sin to disvcredit other beliefs inorder to place your own higher.
Scriptures
It's holy book is called the Guru Granth Shib (or just Guru Granth), and is a compilation of Hymns and teachings created and formed over several generations by the Gurus. The holy book is revered as the living embodiment of the 11th Guru, and great reverence and personal attention is paid to the book. One tradition states that old copies of the Granth cannot survive, as age would disrespect the power of the Guru, and so any book older than 80 years is burned and replaced with a new one. This goes along the same thought as laying the book on an actual bed at night, in order to create comfort for the book.
Founder
It's founder was Sri Guru Nanak Devji (see below) who, being unconvinced by both Hinduism and islam began to meditate until he saw a vision of God. He began preaching and reforming what he considered to be social evils such as Caste and the killing of animals. When he died, he had a sizable following. He passed his Guruship to his main desciple, Guru Angad. Each Guru after Nanak is given the honorific title of 'Nanak', signifying the belef that each is a re-embodyment of the original. One of Nanak's most famous quotes was, "There are no Hindus. There are no Muslims." Upon his death, a common tale states that his hindu followers wanted to cremate him, and his Muslim followers wanted to bury him. Upon arriving at his death bed, he told them all, "Come back tomorrow, and the Hindus may take half of my body and cremate it, and the Muslims may take my other half and bury it." The Hindus and Muslims were all horrified, but in respect departed to allow him to die. When they returned the next morning, they were surprised to find that his body was gone and was instead a bed of flowers. The Hindus and Muslims both took their respective halves and carried out their rituals.
http://www.mysticwicks.com/photoalbum/albums/userpics/20647/Guru1_Nanak.JPG
Because the religion is so young, it's history is well recorded with little Mythology surrounding it. As a result, a very concrete picture has emerged of Sikh Dharma. It's principal historical areas of Influence were chiefly Punjab region in what is now Pakistan, and India. Sikhism became the most popular religion in Punjab, becoming inextrovicably woven with the Punjabi culture. Gurmukhi, a form of the Punjabi language was sanctioned as the official writings of the Guru Granth Sahib, and many Gurdwaras teach Gurmukhi.
It's main center of worship is Amritsar, Punjab State in North india, where the greatest and most holiest shrine is located.
The Sri Harmandir Sahib (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_golden_temple#Operation_Blue_Star) ("House of God"), formally known as the Golden Temple of Amritsar, is a large complex of shrines and buildings seen to represent different aspects of the Sikh faith. It's most recognizable and holiest shrine is the Golden plated Mandir in the center of the holy pool, opposite the Akal Takht. Every day pilgrims from around the world come to pay their respects and listen to the readings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the main mandir daily. Also, every day the complex kitchen serves meals to anyone who calls at their door, serving around a million meals monthly. First founded many years before, it was officially recognized and supported as a center of learning and worship by Guru Arjan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Arjan).
Dress
It's followers are perhaps one of the most recognizable groups on the planet. men wearing the traditional Turban and growing and grooming their beards and hair long, these facts alone make followers so recognizable. The traditional dress, The Turban, the beard, and the wearing of the ceremonial sheaved dagger the kirpan, was introduced as a way to mobilize and identify the sikh community from other communities around it. Over time, items were added.
In respect, both women and men cover their heads, and it is often for traditional Punjabi and Sikh families to start grooming their chidlren's hair in a top knot.
Symbols
There are two very prominant symbols related to Sikhism, the Onkar, and the Khanda symbol.
http://z.about.com/d/altreligion/1/0/7/O/2/ekonkar.jpg
http://z.about.com/d/atheism/1/0/N/B/sikh_khanda.gif
The EkOnkar is the Gurmukhi equivalent of the Aum symbol, with exactly the same meaning. The only difference is pronunciation, like the Tibetan langauge.. Om is pronounded as ON. The symbol servs as reminder of the Unity with god, and is often found on Gurdwaras and near the seat of the Holy Guru Granth Sahib.
The Khanda is a symbol representing the various pieces of Sikh unity and loyalty. The two swords representing the acts of protecting the weak and the innocent. Fior a greater look at the symbolism of the Khanda look here: http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefskhanda.htm
Other resources:
http://www.sikhs.org/topics.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism
http://www.sikhnet.com/
http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/
http://www.sikhism.com/
http://www.sikhiwiki.org/