Formation of SikhismFormation of Sikhism

►Guru NanakGuru Nanak First Guru of SikhismFirst Guru of Sikhism Followed a mystical realization and drew Followed a mystical realization and drew

his own disciples for Sikhism in 1499.his own disciples for Sikhism in 1499.

What is a Sikh?What is a Sikh?

► Sikh means “Disciple”Sikh means “Disciple”► The Rehat Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) The Rehat Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct)

states that a Sikh is any human being who states that a Sikh is any human being who faithfully believes in:faithfully believes in:1)1) One Immortal BeingOne Immortal Being

2)2) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind SinghSingh

3)3) The Guru Granth Sahib.The Guru Granth Sahib.

4)4) The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus.The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus.

5)5) The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion.who does not owe allegiance to any other religion.

What is a Guru?What is a Guru?

►Guru means “Spiritual Enlightener”Guru means “Spiritual Enlightener”► Being called a Sikh Guru only applies to the Being called a Sikh Guru only applies to the

ten Gurus who founded the religion.ten Gurus who founded the religion.► After the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh; After the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh;

Guru refered to the Sikh Holy Scriptures Guru refered to the Sikh Holy Scriptures (Guru Granth Sahib).(Guru Granth Sahib).

► ““Granth” implies a “Scripture containing Granth” implies a “Scripture containing divine knowledge”divine knowledge”

► ““Sahib” is a mark of respect meaning “The Sahib” is a mark of respect meaning “The Master” or “The Lord”Master” or “The Lord”

The 10 Sikh GuruThe 10 Sikh Guru

► 11stst - Guru Nanak (1469-1539) - Guru Nanak (1469-1539)► 22ndnd - Guru Angad (1504-1552) - Guru Angad (1504-1552)► 33rdrd - Guru Amar Das (1479- - Guru Amar Das (1479-

1574)1574)► 44thth - Guru Ram Das (1534- - Guru Ram Das (1534-

1581)1581)► 55thth - Guru Arjan (1563-1606) - Guru Arjan (1563-1606)► 66thth - Guru Hargobind (1595-1644) - Guru Hargobind (1595-1644)► 77thth - Guru Har Rai (1630-1661) - Guru Har Rai (1630-1661)► 88thth - Guru Harkrishan (1656- - Guru Harkrishan (1656-

1664)1664)► 99thth - Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621- - Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-

1675)1675)► 1010thth - Guru Gobind Singh (1666- - Guru Gobind Singh (1666-

1708)1708)

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Sri Guru Granth SahibSri Guru Granth Sahib

► Sri Guru Granth Sahib:Sri Guru Granth Sahib: Holy Sikh Scripture.Holy Sikh Scripture. Head of the Sikh Religion.Head of the Sikh Religion. It is the living Guru of the Sikhs, but is not It is the living Guru of the Sikhs, but is not

worshipped as an idol.worshipped as an idol. Considered the Supreme Spiritual Authority.Considered the Supreme Spiritual Authority. The scripture contains works of it’s own religious The scripture contains works of it’s own religious

founders, as well as writings from people of other founders, as well as writings from people of other faiths.faiths.

Contains moral and ethical rules for soul Contains moral and ethical rules for soul development, spiritual salvation and unity with development, spiritual salvation and unity with God.God.

God in SikhismGod in SikhismOne Universal Creator God.One Universal Creator God.

The Name is Truth.The Name is Truth.Creative Being Personified.Creative Being Personified.

No Fear.No Fear.No Hatred.No Hatred.

Image Of The Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent.Image Of The Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent.By Guru-s Grace.By Guru-s Grace.

Chant And Meditate:Chant And Meditate:

True In The Primal Beginning.True In The Primal Beginning.True Throughout The Ages.True Throughout The Ages.

True Here And Now.True Here And Now.O Nanak, Forever And Ever True.O Nanak, Forever And Ever True.

Mool-MantarMool-Mantar

GurdwaraGurdwara

►Gurdwaras:Gurdwaras: Are Sikh temples.Are Sikh temples. Means “Gateway to Means “Gateway to

the Guru”the Guru” Are open to Are open to

anybody, including anybody, including believers of other believers of other religions.religions.

Contain Langar – Contain Langar – Free community Free community kitchens.kitchens.

http://bing.com

Daily LifeDaily Life

► A routine was composed by Guru Rams Das, the A routine was composed by Guru Rams Das, the fourth master Guru:fourth master Guru:

1)1) Sikhs wake up every morning before dawn and bathe.Sikhs wake up every morning before dawn and bathe.

2)2) Morning prayer begins with meditation in the name of Morning prayer begins with meditation in the name of God, followed by the rest of the Japji Sahib.God, followed by the rest of the Japji Sahib.

3)3) Sikhs then work to earn a living, but keep away from Sikhs then work to earn a living, but keep away from dishonesty and unfairness.dishonesty and unfairness.

4)4) Sikhs recall God’s name at every opportunity during the Sikhs recall God’s name at every opportunity during the day.day.

5)5) Sikhs offer prayer again in the evening and before bed.Sikhs offer prayer again in the evening and before bed.

The Khalsa and The 5 K’sThe Khalsa and The 5 K’s► Khalsa means “The Pure”Khalsa means “The Pure”► It is the community of the It is the community of the

faithful.faithful.► Initiated through baptismal Initiated through baptismal

ceremony called Amrit.ceremony called Amrit.► Male or female must be at Male or female must be at

least 16 years of age.least 16 years of age. Men are called “Singh” Men are called “Singh”

(Lion)(Lion) Women are called “Kaur” Women are called “Kaur”

(Princess)(Princess)► Khalsa members must:Khalsa members must:

Wear the 5 K’s as their Wear the 5 K’s as their symbols of faith.symbols of faith.

Follow the Khalsa Code of Follow the Khalsa Code of Conduct.Conduct.

http://www.world-faiths.com

(1)(1)KeshKesh► Kesh means hair.Kesh means hair.► Sikhs are required to grow their Sikhs are required to grow their

hair.hair.► Every Sikh with beard and hair is Every Sikh with beard and hair is

religiously required to wear religiously required to wear turban.turban.

► Turban is an important and Turban is an important and mandatory part of dress for men.mandatory part of dress for men. It is meant to keep the natural born It is meant to keep the natural born

appearance intact.appearance intact.

(2) Kangha(2) Kangha

►A Kangha is a comb.A Kangha is a comb.► It symbolizes cleanliness.It symbolizes cleanliness.►A Khalsa is expected to wash and A Khalsa is expected to wash and

comb their hair for self-discipline.comb their hair for self-discipline.

(3) The Kara(3) The Kara

►The Kara is a steel bracelet.The Kara is a steel bracelet.►Symbolizes the restraint of actions and Symbolizes the restraint of actions and

remembrance of God.remembrance of God.

(4) Kachha(4) Kachha

►A warrior’s shorts.A warrior’s shorts.►Signifies chastity and self-control.Signifies chastity and self-control.

(5) Kirpan(5) Kirpan

► A sword for self-A sword for self-defense.defense.

► It is a symbol of It is a symbol of dignity, power and dignity, power and unconquerable unconquerable spirit.spirit.

Sikh Beliefs and PhilosophySikh Beliefs and Philosophy

1)1) There is only one GodThere is only one God2)2) God cannot take human form.God cannot take human form.3)3) The goal of human life is to break the cycle of births and The goal of human life is to break the cycle of births and

deaths and merge with God.deaths and merge with God.4)4) Achieve salvation by overcoming The Five Cardinal Vices:Achieve salvation by overcoming The Five Cardinal Vices:

Kam (Lust)Kam (Lust) Krodh (Anger)Krodh (Anger) Lobh (Greed)Lobh (Greed) Moh (Worldly Attachment)Moh (Worldly Attachment) Ahankar (Ego)Ahankar (Ego)

Sikh Beliefs and Philosophy Sikh Beliefs and Philosophy Cont.Cont.

5)5) A Normal Family life (Grasth) is encouragedA Normal Family life (Grasth) is encouraged6)6) The Sikh Holy Book (Guru Granth Sahib) is not a symbol, but The Sikh Holy Book (Guru Granth Sahib) is not a symbol, but

respected as the perpetual Guru.respected as the perpetual Guru.7)7) Sikhism rejects all distinctions of caste, creed, race or sex.Sikhism rejects all distinctions of caste, creed, race or sex.8)8) The Gurus stressed the full equality of women.The Gurus stressed the full equality of women.

Clearing out MisconceptionsClearing out Misconceptions

1)1) The Sikh religion is a blend The Sikh religion is a blend of Islam and Hinduism or a of Islam and Hinduism or a sect of Hinduism.sect of Hinduism.

► Sikhism does not derive from Sikhism does not derive from any other religion and it is any other religion and it is not a blend of any religions not a blend of any religions either.either.

► The teachings of the Gurus The teachings of the Gurus came from God.came from God.

► Sikhs can uniquely be Sikhs can uniquely be identified with their 5 articles identified with their 5 articles of faith, the 5 K’s.of faith, the 5 K’s.

► Sikhs spiritually reject the Sikhs spiritually reject the concepts of the caste concepts of the caste system, rituals, and other system, rituals, and other main components of main components of Hinduism.Hinduism.

2)2) Sikhism supports the Sikhism supports the patriarchal model.patriarchal model.

► The tenets of Sikhism apply The tenets of Sikhism apply to all Sikhs, regardless of to all Sikhs, regardless of any sex.any sex.

► Sikhism demands the equal Sikhism demands the equal treatment and involvement treatment and involvement of men and women.of men and women.

Clearing out MisconceptionsClearing out Misconceptions

3)3) Sikhs are Indian.Sikhs are Indian.

► Sikhism is a religion. Sikhism is a religion. Indian is a nationality.Indian is a nationality.

► Sikhs born in the Sikhs born in the United States, Canada, United States, Canada, UK or any other place UK or any other place adopt the nationality adopt the nationality of that country. of that country. Sikhism as a religion Sikhism as a religion spans any such geo-spans any such geo-political boundaries.political boundaries.

4)4) Sikhs are Hindu.Sikhs are Hindu.

► Sikhism is a unique Sikhism is a unique faith and does not faith and does not derive from Hinduism.derive from Hinduism.

► Sikhism challenges and Sikhism challenges and rejects many precepts rejects many precepts of the Hindu religion.of the Hindu religion.

► It is only due to a It is only due to a shared geographic shared geographic culture that some ideas culture that some ideas or methods may be or methods may be similar.similar.

Clearing out MisconceptionsClearing out Misconceptions

5)5) Anyone with a turban and beard is Muslim and from Anyone with a turban and beard is Muslim and from the Middle East.the Middle East.

► Not all turban-wearers are Sikhs, but all Sikhs must Not all turban-wearers are Sikhs, but all Sikhs must cover their heads at all times (mostly done with a cover their heads at all times (mostly done with a turban.)turban.)

► Sikhs must not cut their hair, but non-Sikhs may Sikhs must not cut their hair, but non-Sikhs may have long hair, unshaved legs, or beards out of have long hair, unshaved legs, or beards out of personal choice.personal choice.

► The turban is worn in many countries as a cultural The turban is worn in many countries as a cultural dress; but to Sikhs, the turban is a powerful symbol dress; but to Sikhs, the turban is a powerful symbol of Sikh faith.of Sikh faith.

Clearing out MisconceptionsClearing out Misconceptions

6)6) Sikhs are terrorists.Sikhs are terrorists.

► Sikhs are against terrorism.Sikhs are against terrorism.► Sikhs do not discriminate against others for Sikhs do not discriminate against others for

anything.anything.► Sikhs strongly condemn killing innocent Sikhs strongly condemn killing innocent

people.people.► Sikhs fight against oppression and defend Sikhs fight against oppression and defend

the innocentthe innocent► Sikhism preaches to resort to violence only Sikhism preaches to resort to violence only

when any other resolution has failed.when any other resolution has failed.

SourcesSources

►Brar, Sandeep Singh. Brar, Sandeep Singh. http://Sikhs.orghttp://Sikhs.org. . Sikhs, n.d. Web. Octo 30 2012. Sikhs, n.d. Web. Octo 30 2012. <http://sikhs.org/hgurd.html>.<http://sikhs.org/hgurd.html>.

►Sikh ReligionSikh Religion. Michigan: 1990. Print. . Michigan: 1990. Print.