Sikhism

History

Important Gurus

After men have taken the Amrit

• In 1606 Sikhism was seen as a threat by the state and Guru Arjan was eventually executed for his faith
• Guru Hargobind militarized the Sikhs
• The Moghal Empire killed Guru Bahadur
• Guru Singh created the Kalsah (military group)
• Guru Singh was the last guru; their holy text is the 11th guru
• Mid 1700's the Sikhs took over the whole Punjab area and created thier own country
• In 1845 the British defeated the Sikhs
• The British and Sikhs saw that they had much in common and began working together

Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak- Founder

Guru Arjan- Fifth guru; laid foundation of the Golden Temple

Guru Gobind Singh- Tenth guru; declared the holy book to be his successor

Guru Angad Dev- Second guru; created many Sikh institutions and wrote many verses

Guru Tegh Bahadur- Ninth guru; fought for religious freedom

Christ and Guru Nanak are similar. The both are seen as a divine human/spirit

Holy Scripture/Texts

Guru Granth Sahib

Janam Sakhis- short stories which tells about parts of Guru Nanak's life and teachings

Guru Granth Sahib

Rituals

Major Beliefs

Ceremonies

Naming a baby- Praying when pregnant and giving birth. Within 40 days of the birth, the mother must go to the Gurdward. The priest opens up to a random hymn. The mother must chose a name starting with the 1st letter of the hymn

Wedding- (Anand Karaj) Sikhs can only marry Sikhs. Child marriage is forbidden. Hindu marriage rituals are forbidden. Guru Granth Sahib is present.

Amrit Ceremony- The ceremony takes place in a Gurdwara, infront of the Guru Granth Sahib, and in the presence of 5 initiated Sikhs. The candidates drink some of the amrit (mix of sugar and water) from the same bowl, and have it sprinkled on their eyes and hair.Each then recites the Mool Mantra (the fundamentals). It ends with the eating of Karah Parashad.

At A Glance

Modern Issues

Massacres of the Sikh people

Invation of the Golden Temple

Assassination of Indira Gandhi (Indian Prime Minister)

• Monotheistic
• Founded in 1500 CE in the Punjab district (Present day India/Pakistan)
• Guru Nanak
• Gurdwara- place of worship

• There is only one God that has no gender or form
• Everyone is equal and has direct access
• Rituals and Superstitions have no value
• A good life is by caring for others
• Quality of next life relies on karma
• Mukti (Liberation) Switch focus of attention from oneself to God.
• God can be experienced through love, worship, and contemplation.
• God is inside every person, no matter how wicked they may appear.
• Haumain- Human beings can’t see the true reality of God because because of self-centred pride or concern for physical things.
• The Three Duties
• The Five Vices

Holy Days

Diwali- celebrates the release of the 6th Guru from prison

Hola Mahalla- first day of the lunar month in the Nanakshahi calendar. Was to practice war battles, but now its a parade

Gurpurbs- Special dates of the 10 Guru's

Vaisakhi- New year festival

The Three Duties

Nam japna:

• Keep God in mind at all times.

Kirt Karna:

• Earn an honest living.
• Seek to live honestly.
• Avoiding crime, gambling, begging, or working in the alcohol or tobacco industries.

Vand Chhakna:

• Literally, sharing one's earnings with others
• Giving to charity and caring for others.

The Five Vices

The following leads to a person being self centered, and build barriers between themselves and God:

• Lust
• Anger
• Pride
• Greed
• Attachment to worldly objects

If one can overcome these vices they are closer to mukti

Sikhism