What Is Sikhism

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What Is Sikhism Here is a Pamphlet you can print and distribute to your friends who want to know more about Sikhism. time, motivated by communal fanaticism. They had to gods and goddesses are considered nonentities. Sikh Baptism What is Sikhism make supreme sacrifices to protect and preserve their This religion consists of practical living, in rendering Amrit (The Sikh Baptism) is a must for The word ‘Sikh’ means a ‘disciple’. A faith and separate entity. The Mughul Empire was on service to humanity and engendering tolerance and every Sikh. No minimum or maximum Sikh is a person who believes in one god the verge of disintegration. The Afghans had started brotherly love towards all. The Sikh Gurus did not age is stipulated for getting baptised. A and teachings of the Ten Gurus, enshrined invading the country under Ahmad Shah Abdali. The advocate retirement from the world in order to attain Sikh undertakes to uphold the in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Sikhs availed of this opportunity to establish their own salvation. It can be achieved by any one who earns an principles of its faith and Code of Book. Additionally, he or she must take kingdom which they ultimately achieved under honest living and leads a normal life. Conduct as prescribed by the Gurus. Amrit, the Sikh Baptism. Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1708-1839 AD). The Sikh ‘He alone, O Nanak, knoweth the way, who earneth Any man or woman of any nationality, Empire lasted for half a century and was annexed by the with the sweat of his brow, and then shareth it with the Brief History race or social standing, who adheres to English in 1849 AD. others.’ the principles of the Faith has a right to The Sikh religion was founded by Guru During the freedom struggle of India a large number of (Guru Granth Sahib, p.1245) Nanak, who was born in 1469 AD in the receive baptism and join the Sikh Sikhs kissed the hangman’s noose, faced all the Guru Nanak gave new hope to the down-trodden Commonwealth - The Khalsa Panth. village Talwandi, now called ‘Nankana brutalities and braved the bullets and suffered long term mankind to join his fraternity as equals. He is a creator Sahib’ near Lahore (Pakistan). imprisonments in order to liberate the country. Although of the NEW MAN in the New World supported by a Sikh Code of Conduct Right from his childhood his keen mind the Sikhs constitute only 1.7 percent of India’s New morality. The Sikh Code of Conduct is known as would not accept all the groundless rituals, population, yet they have made a name for themselves Riches and personal possessions are not hindrance in ‘Sikh Rehat Maryada’. It is based upon superstitions and dogmas which passed for in almost all walks of life such as armed forces, living by spiritual ideals. Sikhism does not believe in the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, religion in those days. agriculture, sports, industry, education, medicine and the maxim ‘It is easier for a camel to go through the the Sikh traditions and conventions. Guru Nanak and the nine Gurus who engineering, etc., through sheer dint of hard work and eyes of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the These rules are meant for carrying out succeeded him, set a wonderful example with a missionary dedication. Their adventurist and Kingdom of God.’ On the other hand the Sikh dictum is the religious ceremonies and enforcing of living spiritually, while yet taking an enterprising nature has taken them to almost all as under: the discipline of the Faith in an active and secular part in the world. countries of the world. ‘They, who are attuned to the Lord, by the Guru’s uniform manner throughout the world. The Tenth and the last Guru, Guru Gobind No individual or organisation, Grace, Attain to the Lord in the midst of Maya,(ie. Singh (1666-1708 AD) initiated the Sikh Religion and Philosophy whosoever important it may be, has a The Sikh religion is strictly monotheistic, believing in wealth).’ Baptism ceremony in 1699 AD, and thus (Guru Granth Sahib, p.921) right either to amend these rules or to gave a distinctive identity to the Sikhs. one Supreme God, Absolute yet All-pervading, the frame new ones. This power rests with Eternal, the Creator, the cause of causes, without Sikhism does not accept the ideology of pessimism. It The first ‘Five Baptised Sikhs were named advocates optimism and hope. The maxim, ‘Resist not the Panth, ie.,the community as a Panj Pyare (Five Beloved Ones), who in Enmity, without Hate, both Immanent in his creation whole acting through their Beloved and beyond it. It is no longer the God of one nation, but evil but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn baptised the Guru on his request - an turn to him the other also’, does not find any place in Five (Panj Payare). Any rule which event hither to unknown in the history of the GOD OF GRACE. That being so, He creates man over-rides the basic teachings of the not to punish him for his sins, but for the realisation of Sikh way of life. On the other hand it enjoins its the world. followers: ‘When an affair is past every other remedy, it Faith is ultra vires. All intoxications Shortly before passing away, the Guru his true purpose in the cosmos and to merge in from such as alcohol, tobacco and all its where he issued forth is righteous, indeed, to unsheathe the sword.’ ordained that Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh (Guru Gobind Singh) derivation, Trimming of the Keshas, Holy Scripture would be the ultimate ‘O my mind, thou art the embodiment of Light; know Eating the meat(Kutha) prepared as per spiritual authority for the Sikhs and the thy essence’ Distinctive Personality Muslim rites (Hallal) are forbidden. temporal authority would vest in the ‘O my mind, the Lord is ever with thee; through the A Sikh has a distinctive personality. This distinction is Adultery is considered as a sin. A Sikh Khalsa Panth - The Sikh Commonwealth, Guru’s Word enjoy His Love.’ represented by five symbols, popularly known as Five should regard another man’s wife as Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy ‘Knowing thy essence thou knowest thy Lord; and K’s, because the first letter of each symbol begins with his sister or mother; and another man’s Scripture was compiled and edited by the knowest thou the mystery of birth and death.’ the letter ‘K’. These are Keshas (long and unshorn hair), daughter as his own daughter. The Fifth Guru, Guru Arjan in 1604 AD. This (Guru Granth Sahib, p.441) Kangha (a comb), Kara (a steel bracelet), Kachha (pair same rule is applicable to the Sikh is the only Scripture in the world which The basic postulate of Sikhism is that life is not sinful in of shorts) and Kirpan ( a sword). Woman also. has been compiled by the founders of a its origin, but having emanated from a Pure Source, the People who wear a uniform and who are imbued with True One abides in it. Thus sayeth Nanak: disciplined outlook, are better able to achieve unity of Woman in the Sikh Society faith during their own life time. Woman is regarded as a significant Guru Arjan also built the world famous ‘O my mind, thou art the spark of the Supreme Light; purpose and acquire a real sense of brotherhood than know thy essence.’ those who have set no particular standards. A Sikh part of the Sikh community. She Gurdwara - Darbar Sahib, at Amritsar receives the utmost reverence for her which is the nucleus of Sikhism. Not only the whole of Sikh philosophy, but the whole of without these symbols is a nonentity. Sikh history and character, flows from ‘this principle’. Those who cut their hair or trim their beard commit a role in the family and society. The During the eighteenth century the Sikhs birth of a daughter is not considered were subjected to various suppressions and The Sikhs do not recognise the caste system nor do they breach of the Cardinal Rules of the Order, and are believe in idol-worship, rituals or superstitions. The considered as ‘apostates’. persecutions by the authorities of the continued...... inauspicious nor does there exist any Married and family life is considered honourable, brotherhood. It is here that the high and the low, the rich Personal Law. custom like sati - the burning of the widow natural and ideal. and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, the kings and There is no such class as priesthood in with her husband’s dead body on the ‘O my mind, keep thyself detached even in the the paupers, all share the same food sitting together in Sikhism. However, the one who funeral pyre. Rather a widow has a right to household, If thou practisest the Truth, and holdest thy one row. This kitchen is run by the common performs the daily service is called the remarry if she so desires. desire and, doest good deeds, thy mind is illumined by contributions of the Sikhs. The institution of Langar Granthi. A woman is considered to have the same the Guru’s Grace.’ (Common Kitchen) is instrumental in creating social The hymn-singers are called Ragis and soul as man and she has an equal right to (Guru Granth Sahib, p.26) equality among the whole mankind. the singing of hymns is called Kirtan, grow spiritually and to attend religious The marriage of Sikh couple is solemnised by The Gurdwara ie.
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