Chapter 7 Sikhism

• Guru Nanak


  Founder of the Sikh religion
• Guru Nanak was born in the village of Talwandi


  1469
• Guru Nanak


  • Parents were Hindu background and he was from a family who were traders
  • Was fascinated by religion
  • Desire to explore the mysteries of life eventually led him to leave home and he travelled all over the world in the manner of Indian saints
  • Met many religious people and preached his message of one God to all the people of Central Asia
  • Made five distinct major journeys, called Udasis spanning many thousands of miles covering most of Central Asia and the Middle East
  • Preached a message of love and understanding and criticised the blind rituals of the Hindus and Muslims
  • Passed on his enlightened leadership of this new religion to nine successive Gurus
• Guru Gobind Singh


  The final living Guru, died in 1708
• Guru Gobind Singh


  • Established the Khalsa order (meaning 'The Pure'), soldier-saints
  • Uphold the highest Sikh virtues of commitment, dedication and a social conscience
  • The Khalsa are men and women who have undergone the Sikh baptism ceremony and who strictly follow the Sikh Code of Conduct and Conventions and wear the prescribed physical articles of the faith
  • Before his death in 1708, declared that the Sikhs no longer needed a living (Guru) and appointed his spiritual successor as Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Bible), his physical successor as the Khalsa
  • Felt that all the wisdom needed by Sikhs for spiritual guidance in their daily lives could be found in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Eternal Guru of the Sikhs
• Sri Guru Granth Sahib


  Unique in the world of religious scriptures because not only is it accorded the status of being the spiritual head of the Sikh religion, but besides the poetry of the Gurus, it also contains the writings of saints of other faiths whose thoughts were consistent with those of the Sikh Gurus
• Sikhism


  • Does not have priests, which were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh
  • Only have custodians of the Guru Granth Sahib, and any Sikh is free to read the Guru Granth Sahib in the Gurdwara or their home
  • A free community kitchen can be found at every Gurdwara which serves meals to all people of all faiths
  • Guru Nanak first started this institution which outline the basic Sikh principles of service, humility and equality
  • Religious centre for the Sikhs is Harmiandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) at Amritsar in the state of Punjab in northern India
  • The inspirational and historical centre of Sikhism but is not a mandatory place of pilgrimage or worship
• Sikh


  Disciples of God who follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus<|>Wisdom of these teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib are practical and universal in their appeal to all mankind
• Sikh Philosophy and Beliefs

  • Soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches the human form
  • The goal of our life is to lead an exemplary life so that one may merge with GOd
• Sikh Code of Conduct

  • There is only one God; worship and pray only to him
  • Always remember the one God, work hard and honestly, and share with others
  • At all times practice Truth, live a truthful life and engage in service for the community
  • Remember that women are as good as men and must be treated as equals
  • Always remember the whole of the human race is one. Distinctions on caste, colour and class are wrong and against Sikh principles
  • Do not believe in superstitions; nor follow empty rituals; nor believe in idols, magic, omens, fasts, frontal marks or sacred threads, etc.
  • Dress yourself in a simple and modest; gaudy clothes and revealing dress bring no credit and will take you away from Sikhi
  • Sikh women should not observe the veil; neither should they observe any other distinct customs like fasting for their husbands, making payments in marriage etc. Women have the same rights as men before God
  • Lived a married family life; asceticism and renunciation are needless exercises
  • Put your faith in the Holy Granth (Sikh bible); no other Holy Book or living person can claim Guruship (for Sikhs)
  • Control the Five Evils: Lust, Anger, Greed, Material Attachment and Ego
  • Practise the Five Virtues: Truth, Contentment, Compassion, Humility and Love
• Living in Consonance with Guru's Tenets

  • The Khalsa should maintain its distinctiveness among the professors of different religions of the world, but should not hurt the sentiments of any person professing another religion
  • To get his children educated in Sikhism
  • Should add the suffix "Singh" to the name of his son and "Kaur" to the name of his daughter. A Sikh should keep the hair of his sons and daughters intact
  • Must not take hemp (cannabis), opium, liquor, tobaccos, in short, any toxicant. Only routine intake should be food
  • Piercing of nose or ears for wearing ornaments is forbidden for Sikh men and women
  • Shall regard a poor person's mouth as the Guru's cash offerings box
  • Shall not steal, for dubious associations or engage in gambling
  • Regards another man's daughter as his own daughter, regards another man's wife as his mother, has coition with his own wife alone, he alone is truly disciplined Sikh of the Guru. A Sikh woman shall likewise keep within the confines of conjugal rectitude
• Sikh Matrimonial Ceremony and Conventions

  • A Sikh man and woman should enter wedlock without giving thought to the prospective spouse's caste and descent
  • A Sikh's daughter must be married to a Sikh
  • Child marriage is taboo for Sikhs
  • Consulting horoscopes for determining which day or date is auspicious or otherwise for fixing the day of the marriage is a sacrilege. Any day that the parties find suitable by mutual consultation should be fixed
  • Persons professing faiths other than the Sikh faith cannot be joined in wedlock by the Anand Karaj ceremony
  • No Sikh should accept a match for his/her son or daughter for monetary consideration
  • Generally, no Sikh should marry a second wife if the first wife is alive
  • A baptised ought to get his wife also baptised
• Articles of Faith


  • Kes (unshorn hair)
  • Kangha (comb)
  • Kara (steel bracelet)
  • Kirpan (sword)
  • Kachhehra (soldier's shorts)
• Kes (unshorn hair)


  • Started the practice of keeping hair unshorn because keeping it in a natural state is regarded as living in harmony with the will of God
  • The turban is part of the uniform because it has immense spiritual and temporal significance
  • Declares sovereignty, dedication, self-respect, courage and piety
  • All practising Sikhs wear the turban out of love and as a mark of commitment to the faith
• Kangha (comb)


  • The Kangha in the Sikh's hair serves as a constant reminder that the Sikh must remain socially committed and never practise asceticism
• Kara (steel bracelet)


  • Worn to remind a Sikh that he or she is a servant of the Guru and should not do anything that may bring shame or disgrace
• Kirpan (sword)


  • Religious sword that encapsulates an initiated Sikh's solemn obligation of courage and self-defence
  • Denotes dignity and self-reliance, the capacity and readiness to always defend the weak and the oppressed
  • Helps sustain one's martial spirit and the determination to sacrifice oneself in order to defend truth, oppression and Sikh moral values
• Kachhehra (soldier's shorts)


  • A special, slightly longer type of shorts, the Kachhehra is linked to a high moral character and must be worn at all times
  • Reminds the Sikh of the need for self-restraint over passions and desires
• Sikh Holy Days


  • Sangraand (the first day of the Indian lunar calendar month)
  • Guru Nanak's Birthday (usually in November)
  • Guru Gobind Singh's Birthday (end December or early January)
  • The Birthday of the Khalsa (mid-April)
  • Guru Arjan's Martyrdom (usually in June)
  • Guru Teg Bahadur's Martyrdom (usually in October)
• Gurpurb


  • A Sikh festival or holy-day is called Gurpurb, meaning the Guru's Remembrance Day
  • Usually refers to the birth or the death of certain Gurus
  • An important feature of the celebration is a colourful procession of hundreds and thousands of Sikhs, men, men women and children, which is led by the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones) and the Holy Granth (Bible) on a float
  • Celebrations start a couple of days earlier with the commencement of Akhand-Path (non-stop reading of the Holy Granth for 48 hours)
  • On the final day, the atmosphere in and around the Gurdwara is like a fair
  • Some Sikhs illuminate their homes and shops with candles, 'deevas' or other electric lights
  • A display of fireworks is also arranged, especially at the Gurdwaras
  • The Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar, which as on Diwali Night looks like a floating palace of a million multi-coloured lights
• Baisakhi (or Vaisakhi)


  • Celebrating the birth of the 'Khalsa' usually falls on the 13th of April
  • Was originally celebrated to mark the beginning of the New Year (according to the ancient Indian Lunar Calendar)
  • The importance of this day is both historical and religious
  • It was on this day on 13th April, 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh gave the Sikhs a new name (Singh) and a new identity of being a nation, by making them distinctively different in physical appearance and personal behaviour
  • Along with 'inner discipline' the Sikhs were asked to keep an 'out discipline' too by wearing the 5 K's
  • Baisakhi is also an important harvest festival in the Punjab
• Diwali


  • Sikhs have found themselves enough good reasons to celebrate this day as another important festival
  • Diwali is commonly known as the festival of lights or lamps
  • Many Sikh homes and business properties are decorated and lit with Deevas (oil lamps made of clay), candles and multicoloured electric bulbs
• Branches of Sikhism


  • Udasi
  • Sahajdharis
  • Keshadharis
• Udasi


  • A group of holy men that was founded by Baba Sri Chand
  • Celibate and usually either nude, or wearing a yellow robe
  • Followers carry a begging bowl to receive food or donations
• Sahajdharis


  • Sahajdharis, ("slow adopters.")
  • Encompasses several smaller sects, all of which tend to be shaven and contrary to Sikh orthodox
• Keshadharis


  • Keshadharis ("hair-wearers")
  • The Nihangs are the most militant of all Sikhs
  • Regularly carry an arsenal of weapons and are willing to take action to defend their religion
  • Regard themselves as continuing in the tradition of Guru Gobind Singh's Khalsa army and live a semi-nomadic lifestyle
  • The Nirmalas are much less militant than average and members tend to lead contemplative lives while secluded in monasteries