Sikh Community

8/7/2019 Sikh Community

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Sikh Community,

Philosophy and Way of Life

Name:

Date:


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Overview of Presentation

1. The Sikh Community

2. Sikh Spiritual Masters

3. What is Sikh Dharma?4. Basics about the Sikh Lifestyle

5. The Sikh Holy Scripture

6. Further Reading Sources7. Questions


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Sikhs are the 5th largest religious group

in the World (20 million followers)

Sikhs can be found in most countries of

the World. However majority of Sikh

community live in Punjab (northern India)

UK, Canada and America have thelargest Sikh populations outside India

The Sikh CommunityWorld Sikh Geography


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The Sikh CommunityBasic Facts about Sikhs in UK

1st Sikh in UK was Maharaja Dalip Singh (thelast Sikh King) who came in 1900s.

Most Sikhs (of Indian origin) came to UK in

30s and 60s Sikhs are 3rd largest faith group in UK after

Christians and Muslims, numbering approx340,000. Jedis dont count!

There are approx 150 Sikh Temples in UK 30,000 Sikh students at Universities in UK

Punjabi is 2nd most spoken language in UK


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The Sikh CommunityBritish Laws regarding Sikhs

British law has been modified in the following

ways to cater for Sikhs:

Sikhs can wear a Kirpan (sword)

Sikhs are exempt from wearing Crash Helmets

when riding Motor Cycles

Sikhs are exempt from wearing Hard hats at

Construction Sites Sikhs can wear their Kirpans in most Law

Courts (up to 4 in length)


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Sikh Spiritual MastersThe 10 Gurus

Started by Guru Nanak (born in 1469) and Succeededby another 9 Gurus.

They each represent a divine quality: Guru Nanak Dev Ji Humility

Guru Angad Dev Ji Obedience Guru Amar Das Je Equality

Guru Ram Das Ji Service

Guru Arjan Dev Ji Self Sacrifice

Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji Justice

Guru Har Rai Ji Mercy Guru Har Krishan Ji Purity

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Tranquillity

Guru Gobind Singh Ji Royal Courage


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Sikh Spiritual MastersThe 10 Gurus

Guru Nanak is the only Prophet in the World

who has such a diverse following including:

Buddhists (who call him Nanak Lama)

Muslims (who call him Hadhrat Baba Nanak

Hindus, Yogis and Sikhs

The 9th Guru is the only Prophet in the World to

die for the right ofFreedom of Religion

The 10th Guru gave the final shape to the Sikhs

faith on the day of Vaisakhi.


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What is Sikh Dharma?

Overview of the Spiritual Sciences

Sikh Dharma is a lifestyle consisting of a set ofspiritual sciences (or Vidyas) including: Atma and Paramatma Vidya - Knowledge of Self

and God

Langar Vidya Knowledge of food preparation(hygienically) for thousands of people

Raag Vidya Knowledge of Indian musicology

Shastaar Vidya Knowledge ofmartial arts

Prosperity Vidya Attitudes to wealth creation and

charity Yoga Vidya Knowledge of Naad andKundalini

Marma Vidya Satnam Rasayan (healing throughhands) and Nam Therapy


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What is Sikh Dharma?Concept of God and Oneness

Sikh Faith emphasises the importance of experiencingTruth and oneness with:

Our Soul

Fellow human beings

Mother Earth God

These experiences have led to a set of beliefs whichinclude a belief in one God who is known by manynames including Jehovah, Ram, Allah, Waheguru

etc. The Sikh Holy Scripture starts with the MOOL

MANTRA, which describes the main attributes of God(next slide).


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What is Sikh Dharma?Basic Attributes of God and Soul (Mool Mantra)

Ik Oukr-

There is only One God, who creates,

sustains and destroys, and exists without change

Sat Nm - Gods name is Truth

Kart Purakh - God is the Creator, and resides within

the Creation

Nirbhau - God is Fearless

Nirvair- God is without Enmity

Akl Mrat - God is beyond time

Ajn-

God is unborn

Saibha - God is self-existent

Gur Prasd - God is realised by the Grace of the Guru


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What is Sikh Dharma?Equality for all

Sikh Dharma teaches people to accept everyhuman being as an equal regardless of: Race, Nationality, Religion, Gender, Culture, Social

Status, Sexual Orientation, Caste etc.

Sikh Dharma is unique in giving equal rights toWomen 500 years ago: There were 4 Sikh women bishops in the 15th

Century

Women can and have become Priests and leadcongregations into Prayer

Sikh women have lead armies and have held toppositions in all aspects of Life.


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What is Sikh Dharma?Equality embedded within Sikh architecture

4 doors symbolising OPENNESS & EQUALITY

Harmander Sahib


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3 core principles at an individual level:

Meditation - On Gods Virtues

Honesty-

Living and earningtruthfully

Serving - Take part in selfless

community service & give tocharity

Basics about the Sikh Lifestyle3 Core Principles


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Basics about the Sikh Lifestyle

4 Lifestyle Choices

A Practicing Sikh will adhere to the following 4

noble blessings:

Keep long uncut hair Not commit adultery or live

promiscuously

Follow a lacto-

vegetarian diet (avoidmeat, fish and eggs)

Not use Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco


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Basics about the Sikh Lifestyle

5 Kakars

Practicing Sikh men and women wear 5 Items called

Kakars which all have various functions:

Kesh (uncut hair coiled on the head) - helps to focus thecreative energy of body and spirit on the 7th chakra,which is our link to divinity

Khanga (wooden comb) used to keep hair clean andtidy. Also, combing with a wooden comb smoothes theelectrical charge around the hair, which creates acalming effect

Kara (steel bangle) consciousness activation tool

Kirpan (sword) for defence and blessing sacred food Kashera (boxer shorts) for modesty with Gurus Knot

which provides a last conscious action


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Basics about the Sikh LifestyleDaily Sikh Prayers

A practicing Sikh will generally do the following basic set of prayers:

Between 4am 6am

Jap Jee Sahib strengthens the radiance of the soul

Jaap Sahib - the naad of Jaap Sahib brings grace and greatness

Swayaia provides satisfaction Chopai - helps you when you are physically weak

Anand Sahib The song of bliss provides joy. Mind and body areexplained in relation to cosmic divinity

In the evening after work

Rehras Sahib-

helps you when you are physically weak, or weak inmoney, property and earthly goods

Before you go to sleep

Keertan Sohila this helps to remove negativity from your surroundings


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Basics about the Sikh LifestyleAt a Global / Cosmic Level

Unconditional Love - Heart centeredindividuals building a democratic societybased on unconditional love. Sikhs are not

dogmatic and do not claim superiority overother religious beliefs/cultures.

Scientific Advancement -A harmonisationbetween Science and Religion

Environmental Consciousness-

Love,respect and responsibility towards motherEarth and its resources


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The Sikh Holy ScriptureBackground on Gurbani

The Sikh scripture is the focal point of the Sikh

Community:

Called the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (translates as

The Master compilation which give Light)

Regarded as the Living Word of God and treated likea living King

Worlds only Inter-faith Scripture

Written in over15 languages and encoded in a

special script called Gurmukhi which preserves theoriginal sounds.

It is only Holy Book compiled during the lifetime of the

Prophet/s.


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The Sikh Holy ScriptureFunctions of Gurbani

Healing The Word of the Guru

(Gurbani) is used in Nam Therapy in

India to heal incurable diseases.

Spiritual Awakening - Gurbani tunes

our mind and opens our hearts to the

infinity of our soul. This is assisted by the

60 feelings (Raags) which the mantrashave been written in.


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The Sikh Holy ScripturePictures


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Further Reading Sources

www.sikhnet.com (World Sikh Portal)

www.grdp.co.uk (Guru Ram Das Project) www.kundaliniyoga.org (Kundalini Yoga)

www.rajacademy.com (Naad Yoga)

www.projectnaad.com (Sikh Resources)


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Questions

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