Sikhism

1. Sikhism Disciples of Ekankar

2. Founding of Sikhism Compromise: Hinduism & Islam • Sixteenth century • Influenced of Hindu Bhakti school and Islam Sufi resurgence • Influenced by Poet Kabir (1440-1518) – 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. Founding of Sikhism Historical Development • Gurus • Succession based primarily on character and spirituality • Developed future directions, • Angad (1538-52) – collected hymns • Amar Das (1552-74) – subdivisions, taxes, pilgrimages to sacred places (sacred wells) • Ram Das (1574-81) • 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. Founding of Sikhism Historical Development • Gurus • Developed future directions • Arjan (1581-1606) • 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. Founding of Sikhism Historical Development • Gurus • Developed future directions • Har Gobind (1606-45) • Founded Sikh army • Wearing two swords to symbolize political and spiritual authority • Protected existence of community • Har Rai (1645-61) • Solidified it as a political community • Har Kishan (1661-64)

12. Founding of Sikhism Historical Development • Gurus • Developed future directions • Tegh Bahad (1664-75) • Martyred • Resisted emperor Aurangzeb’s demand to convert to Islam but refused and was beheaded • Gobind Rai (1675-1708) • 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