SIKHISM
Mandeep Singh Bawa
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GAISS Equity Education Director
Who are the Sikhs?
Agenda
Origin of Sikhism
What is a Sikh?
What is a “Guru”?
Birth of Sikhism & the 10 Gurus
Birth of the Khalsa & The “5 Ks”
Sikh Beliefs
The Guru Granth Sahib
Gurdwara & The Golden Temple
Importance of Identity
Sikh Dastar (Turban)
Dastar Bandi & Anand Karaj
Sikhs in North America
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Origin of Sikhism
CHINA
IRAN
AFGHANISTAN
PAKISTAN
INDIA
INDIA
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What is a Sikh?
Sikh means “Student” or “Disciple”
Sikhism is world’s 5th largest religion, after
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism
26 million Sikhs worldwide
– 20 million in India
– 1 million in North America
99 % of the people wearing TURBANS in
America are Sikhs
What is a “Guru”?
Guru means “Spiritual Enlightener”
The term GURU implies descendant of divine
guidance to mankind sent from God.
Literally translated: GU–means darkness and
RU means light.
Thus, “Guru” means the Light that dispels
darkness. Therefore, Guru Nanak was the
embodiment of divine light.
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Birth of Sikhism
Guru Nanak Dev Ji – 1st Guru
Born in 1469 during a time
when:
– Rich exploited the poor
– Women had no role in society
– Land divided by religion
– Caste system prevailed
Guru Nanak founded Sikhism
based on equality and justice for
all and taught us that all human
beings regardless of skin color,
wealth, caste, and gender are
created equal.
“Truth is high; still higher is
truthful living” - Guru Nanak Dev Ji
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Guru Nanak Dev ji’s
Principles
Naam Japo:
Kirat Karō:
Vand Chakkō:
Chanting the Holy Name and
thus remembering God at all
times (ceaseless devotion to
God).
Earning/making a living
honestly, without exploitation or
fraud.
Sharing with others, helping
those with less who are in need.
These principles became the FOUNDATION of
Sikhism.
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The 10 Gurus
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The 10 Gurus
Guru Nanak Dev ji – Founded Sikhism
Guru Angad Dev ji – Introduced new alphabet known as
Gurmukhi Script, started langar
Guru Amardas ji – Embodiment of Seva (service)
Guru Ramdas ji –Built the holy city of Amritsar
Guru Arjan Dev ji – Compiled Guru Granth Sahib, built
Golden Temple, First Sikh Martyr
Guru Hargobind ji – Miri (Temporal Strength) and Piri
(Spiritual Strength)
Guru Har Rai ji – Opened Free hospitals for those in need,
“…man breaks flowers with one hand and offers them with the
other, but the flowers perfume both hands alike. The axe cuts
the sandal tree, yet the sandal perfumes the axe.” – Guru Har
Rai Ji
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The 10 Gurus
Guru Har Krishan ji – Devoted his life to helping the sick
Guru Tegh Bahadur ji - Championed religious freedom,
martyred while fighting for religious freedom
Guru Gobind Singh ji – Created Khalsa (comes from the
Persian word “khalis” meaning “Pure”),
A splendid Divine Light shone in the darkness of the night.
Pir Bhikan Shah, a Muslim mystic performed his prayers in
that Easterly direction (instead of towards the West, contrary
to his daily practice), and guided by this Divine Light, he
traveled with a group of his followers until he reached Patna
Sahib in Bihar, India.
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‘Birth of the Khalsa’
During the spring of 1699, the
Guru called his followers for a
special gathering. Symbolized a
revitalization of the Sikh identity
and the evolution of the Sikh
community into saint-soldiers.
After initiating the five "beloved
ones" into the new order of the
Khalsa, the Guru knelt before
them and requested that they
initiate him.
Gave the names Singh (“Lion”) to
men and Kaur (“Princess”) to
women.
Khalsa Sikhs identified with the 5
K’s.
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Articles of Faith
5 K’s – mandatory articles of faith
Kesh -
Uncut hair: Sikhs do not cut hair or
beards to remain in the image that
God gave us.
Kachera - Under-shorts (boxers) to represent
modesty and fidelity (virtuous
character)
Kanga Comb, made of wood - to keep uncut
hair neat and clean.
Kara Bracelet, made of steel worn on right
hand –a reminder of noble actions,
a symbol of eternity.
Kirpan - Ceremonial small blunt knife
symbolizing freedom, liberty
and
justice.
Khanda
The Khanda: is the double edged
sword that represents God’s power,
the circle is for continuity, the two
outer swords for spiritual and political
balance.
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Sikh Beliefs
There is One God for all of creation, a
loving Creator attainable through the Grace
Goal is to be one with god
Selfless service towards the entire Creation
Truth, fearless, non-hateful spirit are
important in attaining salvation
Absolute equality of humanity
Defenders of social and spiritual justice
Bhai Kanhiya
pioneer of the Red
Living a moral, truthful and hardworking Cross & humanitarian
aide organizations
existence
Humility and loving action
Defending the rights of the downtrodden and
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oppressed
Guru Granth Sahib ji
“Guru” means “Spiritual teacher” who dispels
the ignorance.
“Granth” implies a ‘Scripture containing divine
knowledge’.
“Sahib” is added as a mark of respect, which
literally means “The Master” or “The Lord”.
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Guru Granth Sahib ji
Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru
declared Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the
eternal Guru and ultimate spiritual
authority for the Sikhs.
Guru Granth Sahib the Sikh Scripture is purely monotheistic
1430 pages
The Gurus’ Experience of the Divine
Also included were a few hymns from Hindu and Muslim saints who
believed in ONE God
The main teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib are cultivating a real
personal devotion to God, fostering compassion and service for people
who are poor or suffering, and promoting equality and seeking
harmony among all human beings
The central theme of the Guru Granth Sahib is concerned with the
creation of a just social order and the commitment to social and gender
equality and peaceful coexistence
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Gurdwara – Place of Worship
The Sikh religious service follows the traditions started by the
1st Guru to promote equality and alleviate suffering. It has 3
components:
1. Sangat: Community prayer through readings from the Guru
Granth Sahib and singing of hymns (Kirtan).
2. Pangat: A sense of equality with everyone seated on the
ground - at the same level.
3. Langar: Community vegetarian meal for all.
Protocol to be observed in the Gurdwara:
Heads covered
Shoes removed
Sit on floor
All are WELCOME
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Gurdwara – Place of Worship
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The Golden Temple
The Golden Temple is the most sacred of places for the Sikhs.
To enter one has to descend stairs – teaches humility.
There are doors on all fours sides, which signifies that people from
all over the world are invited irrespective of caste, color, religion,
and race.
24/7 Langar.
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Sikh Dastar (Turban)
Mandatory – not a social or cultural
article.
Covers long, uncut hair.
Approx. 15 feet of cloth wrapped neatly
around the head.
Boys wear ‘patka’ .
Symbolizes discipline, integrity, humility,
and spirituality.
Middle East head coverings different.
99% of people wearing TURBANS in US
are Sikhs, not Muslims or Hindus.
Types of Turbans
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Sikh Dastar (Turban)
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Importance of Identity
Sikhs feel severely humiliated if asked to remove
their turban in public, as this breaks a sacred
covenant with god and exposes an intimate part
of the body.
It is very insulting and disrespectful to a Sikh to
remove his or her turban.
Turbans are a mandatory part of Sikh faith.
A turban is not a hat. It cannot be casually taken
on and off. It must be carefully retied each time it
is removed.
Treat the turban with respect.
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Dastar Bandi
A very important and exciting
event in the life of a Sikh boy
comes when he starts tying the
turban (Usually between 10-14
years of age).
Family will have a special function
to celebrate the occasion, which is
called Dastar Bandi.
The boy is is seated in front of
Guru Granth Sahib ji and an elder
ties the turban on his head.
Prayers are said to invoke Guru's
blessing for the boy.
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Anand Karaj
The Sikh
marriage is called
'Anand Karaj'
which means the
ceremony of joy.
The Sikh wedding
is held in the
morning in a
Gurdwara in the
presence of Guru
Granth Sahib Ji.
One Soul in Two Bodies
"They are not said to be husband and wife, who merely sit together. Rather they alone
are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies."
(Guru
Amar Das Ji, Pauri, pg 788, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
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Sikhs in North America
Arrived around late 1890’s
Places
– California, Oregon and Washington
– British Columbia
Farming & Lumber Industry
Immigration Barriers by 1920’s
Vancouver Diamond Jubilee 1897 Hong Kong Regiment
San Francisco Chronicle, April 6, 1899
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Some Sikh Public Faces
Gurbax Singh Mahli
First Turbaned Sikh in
Canadian Parliament
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Indian Prime Minister
Baltej Singh Dhillon
First Turbaned Sikh in
Royal Canadian Mounted
Police
Narinder Singh Kapani
Father of Fiber Optics
T Sher Singh
Recognized with the
Order of Canada
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Some Sikh Public Faces
Nuvraj Singh Bassi
University of Oregon
Football Player
Colonel Sekhon
United States Army
Amrit and Rabindra Kaur
Artists
Bhagat Singh Thind
US Army 1912
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Respect for All
Equality of all religions and people
– Give relevance to God rather than religion
– Believers of interfaith diversity
Sikhism believes that there are many paths to God. Anyone can
achieve salvation irrespective of the religion that they follow if
they endear God in their heart and daily actions
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References
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SikhiWiki (www.Sikhiwiki.org)
SikhNet (www.sikhnet.com)
All About Sikhs (www.allaboutsikhs.org)
Sikh Council USA (www.sikhcouncilusa.org)
GAISS (www.guruangadinstitute.org)
UNITED SIKHS (www.unitedsikhs.org)
SALDEF (www.saldef.org)
Sikh Coalition (www.sikhcoalition.org)
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ONE GOD IN ALL
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