Formation of Sikhism
► Guru
Nanak
 First Guru of Sikhism
 Followed a mystical realization and drew his
own disciples for Sikhism in 1499.
What is a Sikh?
Sikh means “Disciple”
► The Rehat Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct)
states that a Sikh is any human being who
faithfully believes in:
►
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
One Immortal Being
Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh
The Guru Granth Sahib.
The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus.
The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who
does not owe allegiance to any other religion.
What is a Guru?
► Guru
means “Spiritual Enlightener”
► Being called a Sikh Guru only applies to the ten
Gurus who founded the religion.
► After the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh; Guru
refered to the Sikh Holy Scriptures (Guru Granth
Sahib).
► “Granth” implies a “Scripture containing divine
knowledge”
► “Sahib” is a mark of respect meaning “The Master”
or “The Lord”
The 10 Sikh Guru
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
http://www.chakranews.com
1st - Guru Nanak (1469-1539)
2nd - Guru Angad (1504-1552)
3rd - Guru Amar Das (1479-1574)
4th - Guru Ram Das (1534-1581)
5th - Guru Arjan (1563-1606)
6th - Guru Hargobind (1595-1644)
7th - Guru Har Rai (1630-1661)
8th - Guru Harkrishan (1656-1664)
9th - Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675)
10th - Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708)
Sri Guru Granth Sahib
► Sri
Guru Granth Sahib:
 Holy Sikh Scripture.
 Head of the Sikh Religion.
 It is the living Guru of the Sikhs, but is not worshipped
as an idol.
 Considered the Supreme Spiritual Authority.
 The scripture contains works of it’s own religious
founders, as well as writings from people of other faiths.
 Contains moral and ethical rules for soul development,
spiritual salvation and unity with God.
God in Sikhism
One Universal Creator God.
The Name is Truth.
Creative Being Personified.
No Fear.
No Hatred.
Image Of The Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent.
By Guru-s Grace.
Chant And Meditate:
True In The Primal Beginning.
True Throughout The Ages.
True Here And Now.
O Nanak, Forever And Ever True.
Mool-Mantar
Gurdwara
► Gurdwaras:
 Are Sikh temples.
 Means “Gateway to the
Guru”
 Are open to anybody,
including believers of
other religions.
 Contain Langar – Free
community kitchens.
http://bing.com
Daily Life
►
A routine was composed by Guru Rams Das, the fourth
master Guru:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Sikhs wake up every morning before dawn and bathe.
Morning prayer begins with meditation in the name of God,
followed by the rest of the Japji Sahib.
Sikhs then work to earn a living, but keep away from dishonesty
and unfairness.
Sikhs recall God’s name at every opportunity during the day.
Sikhs offer prayer again in the evening and before bed.
The Khalsa and The 5 K’s
►
►
►
►
Khalsa means “The Pure”
It is the community of the
faithful.
Initiated through baptismal
ceremony called Amrit.
Male or female must be at least
16 years of age.
 Men are called “Singh” (Lion)
 Women are called “Kaur”
(Princess)
►
Khalsa members must:
 Wear the 5 K’s as their symbols
of faith.
 Follow the Khalsa Code of
Conduct.
http://www.world-faiths.com
(1) Kesh
►
►
►
►
Kesh means hair.
Sikhs are required to grow
their hair.
Every Sikh with beard and
hair is religiously required
to wear turban.
Turban is an important
and mandatory part of
dress for men.
 It is meant to keep the
natural born appearance
intact.
(2) Kangha
►A
Kangha is a comb.
► It symbolizes cleanliness.
► A Khalsa is expected to wash and comb
their hair for self-discipline.
(3) The Kara
► The
Kara is a steel bracelet.
► Symbolizes the restraint of actions and
remembrance of God.
(4) Kachha
►A
warrior’s shorts.
► Signifies chastity and self-control.
(5) Kirpan
►A
sword for selfdefense.
► It is a symbol of
dignity, power and
unconquerable spirit.
Sikh Beliefs and Philosophy
1)
2)
3)
4)
There is only one God
God cannot take human form.
The goal of human life is to break the cycle of births and deaths and
merge with God.
Achieve salvation by overcoming The Five Cardinal Vices:





Kam (Lust)
Krodh (Anger)
Lobh (Greed)
Moh (Worldly Attachment)
Ahankar (Ego)
Sikh Beliefs and Philosophy Cont.
5)
6)
7)
8)
A Normal Family life (Grasth) is encouraged
The Sikh Holy Book (Guru Granth Sahib) is not a symbol, but respected as
the perpetual Guru.
Sikhism rejects all distinctions of caste, creed, race or sex.
The Gurus stressed the full equality of women.
Clearing out Misconceptions
1)
►
►
►
►
The Sikh religion is a blend of
Islam and Hinduism or a sect of
Hinduism.
Sikhism does not derive from
any other religion and it is not a
blend of any religions either.
The teachings of the Gurus
came from God.
Sikhs can uniquely be identified
with their 5 articles of faith, the
5 K’s.
Sikhs spiritually reject the
concepts of the caste system,
rituals, and other main
components of Hinduism.
2)
Sikhism supports the patriarchal
model.
►
The tenets of Sikhism apply to
all Sikhs, regardless of any sex.
Sikhism demands the equal
treatment and involvement of
men and women.
►
Clearing out Misconceptions
3)
Sikhs are Indian.
4)
►
Sikhism is a religion.
Indian is a nationality.
Sikhs born in the United
States, Canada, UK or any
other place adopt the
nationality of that
country. Sikhism as a
religion spans any such
geo-political boundaries.
►
►
Sikhs are Hindu.
Sikhism is a unique faith
and does not derive from
Hinduism.
► Sikhism challenges and
rejects many precepts of
the Hindu religion.
► It is only due to a shared
geographic culture that
some ideas or methods
may be similar.
Clearing out Misconceptions
5)
Anyone with a turban and beard is Muslim and from the
Middle East.
►
Not all turban-wearers are Sikhs, but all Sikhs must cover
their heads at all times (mostly done with a turban.)
Sikhs must not cut their hair, but non-Sikhs may have long
hair, unshaved legs, or beards out of personal choice.
The turban is worn in many countries as a cultural dress;
but to Sikhs, the turban is a powerful symbol of Sikh faith.
►
►
Clearing out Misconceptions
6)
Sikhs are terrorists.
►
Sikhs are against terrorism.
Sikhs do not discriminate against others for
anything.
Sikhs strongly condemn killing innocent people.
Sikhs fight against oppression and defend the
innocent
Sikhism preaches to resort to violence only when
any other resolution has failed.
►
►
►
►
Sources
Sandeep Singh. http://Sikhs.org.
Sikhs, n.d. Web. Octo 30 2012.
<http://sikhs.org/hgurd.html>.
► Sikh Religion. Michigan: 1990. Print.
► Brar,