Chapter 11
Sikhism
Sikhism Quotes
• “There is neither Hindu nor Mussulman
[Muslim], so whose path shall I follow? I shall
follow God’s path. God is neither Hindu nor
Mussulman.” Guru Nanak
• “Same are the temple and the mosque, and
same are the forms of worship therein. All
human beings are one though apparently
many, realize, therefore, the essential unity
of mankind.” Guru Gobind Singh, Dasam
Granth
Sikhism Learning Objectives
• Know, classify, identify, comprehend, and express all
the concepts/terms, the thought patterns, the
teachings, beliefs, practices, and divisions of Sikhism,
its Scriptures origin, historical development, its
geographic center, and
• Be able to articulate, express, explain, analyze, and
discuss all the above
• Be able to identify, comprehend, and express the
components/ elements of syncretism from other
religions incorporated into Sikhism
• Comprehend and explain the political and religious
context and causal influences that helped shape this
religion
Sikhism’s Key Terms
• Sikh
• Kabir
• Guru Arjan Dev
• Adi Granth/ Guru
• Amrit Amritsar
• Pranth Sangat
• Langar
• Khalsa
Sikhism
Nam
Guru Nanak
Guru Gobind Singh
Granth Sahib
Golden Temple Punjab
Gurdwara
Takht
The Five K’s
Singhs
Udasis
Sikhism Introduction (1)
• Origin:
Historical
Geographical
Political
Cultural, Religious Contexts
• An attempted synthesize of Hinduism and Islam
• Some scholars: developed in the context of a
religious conversation between devotional
Hinduism and Islamic mysticism
• Sikh devotions are very simple
Sikhism Introduction (2)
• M. Fisher textbook: their Sikh “path is
not another sectarian religion but a
statement of universal truth within, and
transcending all religions.” p. 440
• Hopfe Woodward textbook: Sikhs
believe their faith to be a new and
independent religion based on insights
of first teacher, Nanak.” p. 164
The Silk Road
A Pre-Founder Reformer
• Strong presence of Islam in province of
Punjab
• Teachers arose who believed that the
two religions should not be antagonistic
• The reformer Kabir (1440-1518 C.E.) is
best remembered for attempting to
bring Hinduism and Islam together
Sikhism’ Founder & Life
• Guru Nanak (1469-1538 C.E.)
• A vision at the age of 30 …chosen as
the Prophet of the True Religion
• His followers became known as a Sikh,
a “disciple”
The Teachings of Nanak (1)
• Nanak, like Kabir, endeavored to
synthesize elements of Islam &
Hinduism
• Although Hindus see God at work
in many ways & in various
disguises, still God is basically one.
• The View and Belief of God: Nam
The Teachings of Nanak (2)
• Fisher textbook: three central
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teachings: 1) work hard in society to
earn one’s own, 2) sharing from one’s
earnings with those who are needy, and
3) remembering God at all times
Hindu elements incorporated:
Reincarnation, Karma, moksha
Difference: see next slide
Rejected the teaching of ahimsa
Guru Nanak’s followers called Sikhs
(disciples)
Nanak maintained a stance on pacifism
Sikhism Reincarnation
Belief in Focus
• People will live again & again until
they are freed from this cycle by
Nam
• “By the karma of past actions, the
robe of this physical body is
obtained. By His [the True
Name=God] Grace, the Gate of
Liberation is found.” Japji Sahib
Historical Development (1):
The First Two Sikh Gurus
• Nanak was followed by a series of 9 teachers
or gurus-that last one died in 1708 C.E.
• Upon death of Nanak, the leadership
was taken up by Angad (who ruled till
1552)
• For Sikhs, “guru” means leader more so
than “teacher”
• Angad is remembered for devising a
new script and began to compile the
Sikh scriptures (not Adi Granth yet)
Historical Development (2):
5th Guru
• 5th Guru, Arjan Dev (1581-1606
• Arjan remembered for compiling
the Adi Granth, the sacred Sikh
Scriptures
• Known for building the Golden
Temple, Amritsar
• Militant aspect of Sikhism begins
under Arjan’s leadership
Adi Granth sacred scriptures
• Contains 3,364
hymns composed
mostly by Nanak;
the others came
from Kabir and other
gurus (its about 3
times the size of the
Rig Veda
• They are contained
at the Sikh Golden
Temple in Amritsar
in Punjab, India
• Golden Temple at Amritsar
Historical Development (3):
Transition from Pacifism to a Militant
Form
• Militant aspect begun by Arjan Dev, 5th
Guru
• Militant form of Sikhism developed,
confirmed, and sealed by the 10th Guru
Gobind Singh
• Contexts to this development:
Experiential, Political, Historical, Religious
• Establishes the Singhs, the corps of
warriors, and
• Establishes the Khalsa, the order for
strict discipline
Historical Development (4):
from Guru Gobind Singh to
Guru Granth Sahib
• Gobind Singh(1675—1708 ) 10th
Guru
• Transfers Guru-ship over to the
Adi Granth near his death
• Adi Granth becomes the Guru
Granth Sahib
The Adi Granth
(Guru Granth Sahib)
Divisions of Sikhism
• The Udasis-ascetic order of holy
men (sect)
• The Sahajdharis-conservative,
slow-moving
• The Singhs-corps of warriors
• The Khalsa-strict Order of Sikhs
A Sikh Singh Guard
Guarding Queen Elizabeth
Practices Overview (1):
Sikh Religious Life
• Daily devotion to God-early morning
• Daily bath
• Worship/devotion at Guadwara or
temple weekly including offerings,
singing, chanting, prayer
• worship of the Adi Granth
Temple Focal Point of Worship:
The Takht
• An object of
special attention
to Sikhs
worldwide is the
throne (Takht)
Golden Temple,
Amritsar and in
Gurdwara’s
around world
Practices Overview (2):
Sikh Religious and Social Life
• Religious life is simple, no elaborate
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ceremonies (influence from its early
founders)
But baptism for the new initiates, and
A communal meal called Langar for all
Ceremonies and rituals are simple,
including for marriage and death
A few daily rituals: bath, reading of
hymns, prayers in morning and at night
Sikhism Practices (3):
Social Dimension: Religious Life
together
• People from all castes are welcome
• Men and women are equal, and
worship together
• Langar--the communal meal
• Sangat--a Sikh congregation
• Pranth—the Sikh community
Sikhism Practices (4):
Sikh Holy Days
• Holi and Divali with their Hindu
neighbors
• Martyrdom of Guru Arjan (June)
• Birthdays of Nanak (November)
and Guru Arjan (Dec./Jan.)
Sikhism Today
• Punjab: center of Sikhism, and Golden
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Temple, Amritsar, its administrative ctr.
Sikh Separatists: independent Sikh state
1947: 2 mill. Sikhs migrate to east side of
Pakistan partition line in very harsh conditions
1984: Indian P.M. Indira Gandhi attacked the
Golden Temple
Several million Sikhs migrated to U.S.,
Canada, England, Kenya, UAE, & Italy, but
most Sikhs still live in Punjab and India
Western attraction of Sikhism Controversies:
turban, kirpan, journeys of Guru Nanak
(fictitious?)
Key Terms Review (1)
• Sikh – “disciple” in Punjabi language
• Sikhism – a blend of certain elements of
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Hinduism and Islam
Nam – The holy name of God
Kabir – pre-Sikhism Hindu reformer
Guru Nanak – founder of Sikhism
Guru Arjan Dev – 5th Guru who
compiled Granth and built the Temple
Guru Gobind Singh –10th Guru
Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib) –
Sikh’s Sacred Scriptures
Key Terms Review (2)
• Gurdwara – a Sikh temple
• Amritsar – loc of Sikh Golden Temple
• Takht – the throne in Gurdwara
• Langar – community meal for all
• Sangat– a Sikh congregation
• Udasis – “holy men” ascetic order
• Sahajdharis – conservative, slow-going
(sect)
• Singhs – a Corps of warriors (1 of 3
sects)
• Khalsa – Order of Sikhs-strict code
Sikhism Review
• Founder’s Name: Guru Nanak
• Founder’s Century: 16th cent. C.E.
• Founder’s Place: Punjab province, India
• Founder (& pre-founder reformer) tried
to blend, synthesize Hinduism & Islam;
another word for this: syncretism
• Nanak taught: The True Name (God),
basically monotheistic, and also
reincarnation and karma, and he was a
pacifist (non-violence)
Sikhism Review
• Key Concepts/Beliefs from both:
• Monotheism, reincarnation, karma,
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pacifism, blend/synthesis/syncretism
5th Guru Arjan Dev compiled Sikhism’s
sacred Scriptures Adi Granth and built
the Golden Temple
The Center: Golden Temple, Amritsar
Ceremonies: baptism for initiates and
communal meal for all
Militant aspect brought in by Arjan Dev,
then solidified by Gobind Singh (10th
Guru)
Sikhism Review
• Daily rituals: reading of hymns and
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prayers
Festivals: Holi & Divali, Birthdays of
Nanak & Arjan & Martydom of Arjan
The Divisions of Sikhism:
The Udasis-order of holy men (sect)
The Sahajdharis-conservative, slowmoving
The Singhs-corps of warriors
Discussion In-Depth
• Identify and discuss the components of
syncretism of Sikhism.
• What elements from any other religions
can you possibly find that influenced
Sikhism?
• How did Sikhism which started as a
pacific movement shift to becoming a
religion with a strong militaristic arm?
• Do you think Gobind’s experience
tainted the direction he led the people
of this religion during his leadership?
Discussion continued:
• Do you think the military aspect might
lead some to find this religion scary,
repulsive, or spiritually counterproductive?
• Do you find the simplicity may be
attractive to some?
In Larger West Asian and Near Eastern Context