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Fact Sheet Sikhism

Fact Sheet Sikhism

Fact Sheet

Sikhism

Over twenty million follow a revealed, distinct, 3. The Sikhs have ten . It is believed that and unique born five centuries ago in the they all had the same though they had region of northern India. Between 1469 and different bodies, and that it was Nanak 1708, ten Gurus preached a simple message of truth, Dev's spirit which passed on into his nine devotion to , and universal equality. Often successors. mistaken as a combination of Hinduism and Islam, the 4. The Sikhs call God as '', meaning that Sikh religion can be characterised as a completely God is great. Their common salutation is "Sat independent . Siri " (God is supreme and is immortal). Some Sikhs say, "Waheguru ji ka , Key beliefs Waheguru ji ki Fateh" (The Khalsa belongs to rejects idolatry, the caste system, ritualism, God and victory belongs to God). and asceticism. It recognises the equality between 5. is the holy book of the Sikhs. both genders and all , prohibits the intake of The tenth Guru, bestowed any intoxicants, and encourages an honest, truthful upon the Granth the title of the Guru. living. Sikhs have their own holy scripture, Guru Granth 6. The Sikhs only one Almighty God in his Sahib. abstract form. They are not allowed to worship any idols, images or photographs. Written, composed, and compiled by the 7. According to the Sikh belief, God is the eternal themselves, the Guru Granth Sahib serves as the truth; he is beyond fear, enmity and death. He ultimate source of spiritual guidance for Sikhs. While is unborn and is self-illuminated. He himself is the Sikhs hold their Gurus in high reverence, they are the creator, preserver and destroyer. not to be worshipped; Sikhs may only worship God. 8. The Sikhs believe that all existence is Where Sikhism is practised controlled by one omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient Lord called by different names: Members of the Sikh community are mainly Ishwar, , and Waheguru. concentrated in their homeland, Punjab; however, 9. Sikhs all over the world are recognisable by substantial Sikh populations exist throughout the rest their distinctive appearance which they wear of India and the world. Punjabi, a variant of the Hindi with pride as a uniform as a Sikh, they consist language with some Persian influence, is the spoken of the 6 Ks. and written language of the Sikh people. Kaes (Kaesh) - Unshorn hair to keep the appearance Characteristics of Sikhs distinct and dignified. The head (Hair) must always be Male members of the Sikh religion use the name, Singh kept covered by everyone, with any sort of cloth, in any (lion), as their middle or last name, while females use style. Mostly, the males tie , and women use a the name, Kaur (princess). Sikhs tend to be industrious length of cloth. Caps and hats are not allowed. Kaeski and pioneering; this accounts for their general success or is short length cloth wrapped around the wherever they live and settle. The hard-working nature head. of the Sikhs is derived from their religion, which can be - Comb, to keep the hair tidy. best characterised as a faith of unlimited optimism. - uncut hair (). Basics of Sikhism - steel wrist band. 1. Sikhism is the youngest of the world religions. It dates back to 1469. - the sword to be worn under trousers. 2. Its founder Dev was born in a Kacha - short trousers. village called Talwandi, now known as in , in 1469. Adapted with permission from The Scout Association (UK) FACT SHEET 8 – Sikhism (issued April 2013) The Scout Association of Australia Queensland Branch Inc

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