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Sikhism

Sikhism. Nivedita Basu Jessica Zaiken Humanities: Hour 4 Mrs. Milburn 5 October 2005. Sat Sri Akal!. Greeting: “Truth is eternal”. Introduction to Sikhism. Sikh means disciple, derived from Punjabi word sikhna - to learn 5th Largest Religion

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Sikhism

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  1. Sikhism Nivedita Basu Jessica Zaiken Humanities: Hour 4 Mrs. Milburn 5 October 2005 Sat Sri Akal! Greeting: “Truth is eternal”

  2. Introduction to Sikhism • Sikh means disciple, derived from Punjabi word sikhna - to learn • 5th Largest Religion • About twenty million followers all over the world • Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow the teachings and writings of the Ten Sikh Gurus (guru = teacher)

  3. Foundations of Sikhism • Founded by Guru Nanak around 1469 • “God is neither Hindu nor Muslim, and the • path which I shall follow is God’s.” • Syncretic blend of Hinduism and Islam • Condemnation of caste system, magic, • idol worship and superstition • After Guru Nanak, there were nine more • Gurus • Won support of low-caste Hindus Source: indialife.com

  4. Belief in God • Monotheistic: “God is the eternal giver and there is no other.” • God is the ultimate Guru, who chose ten human Gurus to • communicate his teachings (sabad) • God is transcendent, creative, and all forms of God (Vishnu, • Ram, Allah etc) are ONE • Potential for anyone, regardless of caste or sex, to experience • God’s grace and receive spiritual liberation (mukti)

  5. The Role of Sikhs • Guru Nanak - “nām, dām, isnān” • Nām - achieve mystical union with God (Waheguru) through • meditation of the divine name • Dān - give alms for needy, serve the community • Isnān - pure living • God, as Guru’s purpose, is to liberate the humans because they • are naturally ignorant, or they are consumed by pursuit of illusory • goals such as lust, covetousness, wrath, pride, and materialism

  6. The Role of Sikhs (cotd.) • Nān simran - keep God in mind • Kīrt Karnā - do honest work • Vand Chaknā - care for needy by deed or gift • Become liberated by becoming God-centered • View all men and women as brothers and sisters without • a concern for caste or race

  7. Basic Beliefs • Sikhs can find God through meditation and prayer, but also by God’s grace • Reincarnation - the nine Sikh Gurus were reincarnations of Guru Nanak • Equality for men and women, no caste system • Religious tolerance for all - Guru Nanak - “God does not judge someone by outward religion but by their actions.” • Special days: naming of child, anniversaries of Gurus, Diwali, readings of holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, funerals (cremations)

  8. Sacred Texts • Sacred texts: teachings of God through the Gurus are in several • texts, or Granths. The first text is called the Adi Granth (Nanak) • The Guru Granth Sahib contains all the texts • from all the Gurus • Considered the Supreme Spiritual Authority • and Head of Sikh religion, but not worshipped • like idol • Collection of devotional hymns and • poetry which proclaims God, • and lays down moral and ethical rules • for development of the soul Source: discoverindia.com

  9. Excerpt from Guru Granth Sahib • “The Japji hymn by Guru Nanak Dev is considered to be the key to Sri Guru Granth Sahib and an epitome of the Sikh doctrine. It appears as the first poem in Sri Guru Granth Sahib and is repeated by Sikhs in their morning prayers, as well as when preparing Amrit for the Khalsa baptism ceremony. Japji lays stress on the brotherhood of man and remembrance of God as the key to salvation.” • God is only one • His name is true • He is the creator • He is without fear • He is inimical to none • He never dies • He is beyond births and deaths • He is self illuminated • He is realized by the kindness of the True Guru Source: sikhs.org

  10. Compare/Contrast Hinduism Islam

  11. The Khalsa • Founded by the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666) • He thought it necessary to take up arms in defense of justice (dharam yudh) • Started Khalsa (meaning pure) and instituted the Khanda-di-Pahul, the baptism of the sword • Not all Sikhs are in the Khalsa • Women and men can be initiated into Khalsa through a special amrit (nectar) ceremony • Men adopt last name of Singh (lion), Women adopt Kaur (princess)

  12. The Khalsa and the 5 K’s • Rules: • 1. Never remove hair from any part of body • 2. Never use tobacco, alcohol, and other intoxicants • 3. Never eat meat slaughtered in the Muslim way • 4. Never commit adultery • 5 K’s (Panj Kakke) • 1. Kes - long hair, a symbol of strength, tied in turban • 2. Kangha - special comb placed in hair, symbol of cleanliness • 3. Kara - steel bracelet, reminder of one’s duties • 4. Kachha - long underwear, symbol of self-control • 5. Kirpan - long sword, worn as symbol of dignity, not violence

  13. The Khalsa (cotd.) Kirpan Kara Kangha Source: sikhs.org

  14. The Gurdwara • Gurdwara means “the gateway to God” • Sikhs are required to bathe, take off their shoes, and cover their hair prior to entering Gurdwara • Three main functions: • 1. Kirtan - singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib • 2. Katha - reading of Guru Granth Sahib and explanations • 3. Langar - free food for all men and women of all religions • Gurdwaras are open to all people of all religions, 24 hours a day, some provide housing for visitors and pilgrims

  15. The Golden Temple • aka Harminder Sahib (Temple of God) or Darbar Sahib (Divine Court) • Amritsar, Punjab • Chief place of pilgrimage • Sits in middle of a pool of • nectar (amrit = nectar) • Built by Third - Fifth Sikh • Gurus, 1577 - 1601 • The Holy Book, The Guru • Granth Sahib resides inside Source: MagicPlanet.org

  16. The Five Takhts • Takhts = thrones • Five gurdwaras considered the seats • of Sikh authority • Three takhts in Punjab, rest are in other • places in India • Main takht: Sri Akal Takht next to • Golden Temple • Architecture inspired from Islam and • Hinduism Source: sikhs.org

  17. Role of Women • A woman at the time of Guru Nanak was inferior and a man’s • property • Views of the Gurus: • Women included in Sikh congregation without any restrictions • Seen as equal to men • Encouraged education of men and women • Condemnation of female infanticide, women wearing veils • Most Sikh women cover their heads to show respect to their elders, or strangers, but aren’t required to

  18. Social Culture • Most Sikhs in India live in state • of Punjab (land of 5 rivers) • Sikhs are Punjabis, speak • Punjabi (also language of texts) • Many Sikhs in UK, US • Khalistan Movement: Sikh fought • for independence from India, heavy • violence…movement is no longer • active • Sikh population around the world is • steadily growing, esp. in UK and US Punjab Source: mapsofindia.com

  19. The Punjabis Source: punjabgovt.nic.in

  20. Bend It Like Beckham

  21. The Punjabis (cotd.) • The typical Punjabi loves to socialize, work hard, and eat! • Punjabi food is rich in spices, ghee, and flavor • Punjabis are extremely hospitable people. They love visitors • and treat them like God • Music is part of everyday life, and included in harvest festivals, • weddings, and other celebrations • Bhangra - typical Punjabi music and dance, characterized • by the beat of the Dhol drum

  22. The End

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