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Sikhism

Founder / Major Figures

Major Beliefs

Sikhs proclaim the Divine name of God, the power of devotion to that Name, the unity of all people and the equality of men and women.

Sikhs confess God as Creator, sustainer of the universe, and one intimately involved in the events of the world and the lives of human beings.

They believe that divine help is available for those who seek deliverance from the power of evil and put great emphasis on a personal relationship between the believer and God.

Scripture / Sacred Writings

The Sikh holy scripture, called the Guru Granth Sahib, includes the teachings of Guru Nanak and nine additional Sikh teachers, plus writings of some Islamic and Hindu authors.

This collection of writings, in the form of poetry and hymns, were brought together into a large book of some 1,400 pages, written in the Punjabi language of Northwest India.

Worship and Spiritual Practice

The gatherings for worship are centered around the Holy Scriptures, which are displayed prominently in the room covered with a canopy.

There is no ordained clergy, but designated leaders are in charge of the service. The appointed reader is called the granthi.

The order of worship is not rigidly fixed, but in general, worshippers gather, leave their shoes at the door, and cover their heads. First they bow reverently before the Holy Scriptures that are on display.

Then a hymn is sung, taken from the Holy Book, and accompanied by musical instruments.

Men and women then sit separately to listen to readings or a talk on Sikh doctrine or history. Then the people stand for a prayer which is also taken from the Scripture. The service ends with a hymn and the serving of a ceremonial food composed of semolina, sugar and butter.

Traditionally the meeting places maintain kitchens for serving free food after the service to any who desire it. This meal is vegetarian, although Sikhs are not required to abstain from meat.

Sikhs call their belief and practice the Sikh Panth, meaning the "community of the disciples of the Guru."

Sikhs believe that God is One and that all religions that seek to know God have beauty and power.

The Sikh religion has strict moral standards. Believers are held to a code of five virtues and five vices.

The virtues are:

    1. Truthfulness in living
    2. Contentment
    3. Patience
    4. Faith in the Great Teacher, Nanak
    5. Compassion

The vices, whose description is necessary because of the human tendency to defy the moral law of humanity, are:

    1. Lust
    2. Anger
    3. Greed
    4. Excessive attachment to any earthly object or person
    5. Pride

Sikhs put great emphasis upon humble service for the welfare of others, and are strongly opposed to any kind of discrimination, especially that which is based on social class or sex.

Traditionally Sikh men wear five signs of their faith:

  1. Kes - Uncut hair, a sign of faith
  2. Kirpan - a short dagger symbolizing self-defense which may be worn in several sizes, even hung in miniature around the neck
  3. Karha - a steel wristband or bracelet, binding one symbolically to the truth
  4. Kangha - a wooden comb worn in the hair knot to show cleanliness
  5. Kacchera - a special undergarment symbolizing purity

In addition men wear a turban, although it is not required by the religion.

Sikh places of worship are called gurdwaras and are centers for community service as well, including a common meal called the langar where all are welcome.

History

Sikhism, a strongly monotheistic religion, had its beginning in the teachings of Guru Nanak in India in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries CE. He gathered around him disciples called Sikhs.

Before his death he designated a successor as Guru, establishing a lineage of teachers that lasted the next ten generations.

250,000 Sikhs have made their way to the United States. Worldwide they number about 22 million.

Calendar

Until 1999, Sikhs used the Hindu lunar calendar. At that point they began using the Gregorian calendar, and their holy days were fixed.

Following a change of leadership, this policy was reevaluated. Now some Sikhs use the fixed calendar and others the traditional lunar calendar.

Sikh boy drummingThe festival life of Sikhs is centered in the commemoration of events in the lives of the ten great teachers.

Great moments in a person's life such as birth and naming, marriage, initiation to special responsibility in the community, and death are all marked by religious ceremonies.

Administration and Secular Life

Sikh TempleSikhs are organized with supervisory authority vested in the World Sikh Council.

Most adherents still live in India where its historic sites are located and spiritual authority issues from Amritsar, India, the site of Sikhism's most celebrated temple.