Sikhism, also known as Sikhi (from Sikh, 'disciple / learner'), is an Indian religion, and is a philosophy, that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, around the end of the 15th century CE.
It is one of the most recently founded major religious groups and stands at fifth-largest worldwide, with about 25–30 million adherents (known as Sikhs).
Sikhism developed from the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak (1469–1539), the faith's first guru, and the nine Sikh gurus who succeeded him.
The tenth guru, Gobind Singh (1666–1708), named the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib as his successor, bringing to a close the line of human gurus and establishing the scripture as the 11th and last eternally living guru, a religious spiritual/life guide for Sikhs.
Guru Nanak taught that living an "active, creative, and practical life" of "truthfulness, fidelity, self-control and purity" is above metaphysical truth, and that the ideal man "establishes union with God, knows His Will, and carries out that Will".
Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru (1606–1644), established the concept of mutual co-existence of the political/temporal and spiritual realms.
The core beliefs of Sikhism include faith and meditation in the name of the one creator; divine unity and equality of all humankind; engaging in selfless service; striving for justice for the benefit and prosperity of all; and honest conduct and livelihood while living a householder's life.
Following this standard, Sikhism rejects claims that any particular religious tradition has a monopoly on Absolute truth.
Sikhism emphasizes meditation and remembrance of the teachings of Gurus, which can be expressed musically through chant, or internally through meditation on His name, as a means to feel God's presence.
It teaches followers to transform the "Five Thieves" (i.e. lust, rage, greed, attachment, and ego).
Philosophy and teachings
Sikhism is classified as an Indian religion or Dharmic religion along with Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
The basis of Sikhism lies in the teachings of Guru Nanak and his successors. Sikh ethics emphasize the congruence between spiritual development and everyday moral conduct. Its founder Guru Nanak summarized this perspective as: "Truth is the highest virtue, but higher still is truthful living." Sikhism lays emphasis on 'From the one light, the entire universe welled up.'
Teachings
Sikhism is a monotheistic and panentheistic religion, advocating the belief in One Universal God. In Sikhism, the overall concept of God is Wondrous Teacher, considered to be shapeless, timeless, the creator, and incomprehensible and invisible.
In a literal sense, God has no gender in Sikhism, though metaphorically, God is presented as masculine and God's power as feminine. For example, God is repeatedly referred to by the name 'beyond time and space' and 'without form' by the tenth guru Guru Gobind Singh Ji, but he also refers to God as his father, and God's creative power as his mother.
Worldly Illusion
Maya, defined as a temporary illusion or "unreality", is one of the core deviations from the pursuit of God and salvation: where worldly attractions give only illusory temporary satisfaction and pain that distracts from the process of the devotion of God.
In Sikhism, the influences of ego, anger, greed, attachment, and lust, known as the Five Thieves, are believed to be particularly distracting and hurtful. Sikhs believe the world is currently in an Age of Darkness because the world is led astray by the love of and attachment to maya. The fate of people vulnerable to the five thieves, is separation from God, and the situation may be remedied only after intensive and relentless devotion.
Timeless Truth
The supreme purpose of human life is to reconnect with The Timeless One. However, egotism is the biggest barrier in making this connection. Using the Guru's teaching remembrance of the divine Name of the Lord leads to the end of egotism. Guru Nanak designated the word Guru ('teacher') to mean the voice of "the spirit": the source of knowledge and the guide to salvation. One connects with Guru only with accumulation of selfless search of truth. Ultimately the seeker realises that it is the consciousness within the body which is the seeker/follower of the Word that is the true Guru. The human body is just a means to achieve the reunion with Truth. Once truth starts to shine in a person's heart, the essence of current and past holy books of all religions is understood by the person.
Liberation
Sikh's teachings are founded not on a final destination of heaven or hell, but on a spiritual union with the Timeless One, which results in salvation or enlightenment/liberation within one's lifetime, a concept also found in Hinduism. Guru Gobind Singh makes it clear that human birth is obtained with great fortune, therefore one needs to be able to make the most of this life.
Sikhs accept reincarnation and karma concepts found in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. However, in Sikhism, both karma and liberation "is modified by the concept of God's grace". Guru Nanak states that "the body takes birth because of karma, but salvation is attained through grace."
To get closer to God, Sikhs: avoid the evils of maya; keep the everlasting truth in mind; practice musical recitation of hymns; meditate on naam; and serve humanity. Sikhs believe that being in the company of the 'true people' is one of the key ways to achieve liberation from the cycles of reincarnation.
Power and Devotion (Miri and Piri)
The doctrine of the "Mir" (social and political aspects of life) and the "Pir" (guides to spiritual aspect of life) has been practiced in Sikh religion since the seventeenth century. The two swords of Miri and Piri symbolizing both worldly (social and political) and spiritual authority are tied together with a khanda in the center, so the combination of both is considered supreme, where action informed or arising out of the spiritual heart completes one's purpose and meaning in the world of action: spirituality.
Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism, was a Bhakti saint. He taught that the most important form of worship is Bhakti (devotion to God). Guru Arjan recommended the true religion is one of loving devotion to God. The Guru Granth Sahib includes suggestions on how a Sikh should perform constant Bhakti. Some scholars call Sikhism a Bhakti sect of Indian traditions, adding that it emphasises loving devotion to a divine without qualities or physical form. Western scholarship generally places Sikhism as arising primarily within a Hindu Bhakti movement milieu while recognizing some Sufi Islamic influences.
While emphasizing Bhakti, the Sikh gurus also taught that the spiritual life and secular householder life are intertwined, and not separate. This logically follows from the panentheistic nature of Sikh philosophy. In Sikh worldview, the everyday world is part of the Infinite Reality, increased spiritual awareness leads to increased and vibrant participation in the everyday world. Guru Nanak described living an "active, creative, and practical life" of "truthfulness, fidelity, self-control and purity" as being higher than the metaphysical truth.
The concept of humanity as elaborated by Guru Nanak refines and negates the "monotheistic concept of self/God", and "monotheism becomes almost redundant in the movement and crossings of love". The human's goal, taught the Sikh gurus, is to end all dualities of "self and other, I and not-I", attain the "attendant balance of separation-fusion, self-other, action-inaction, attachment-detachment, in the course of daily life".
Singing and Music
Sikhs refer to the hymns of the gurus as "Guru's word". The entire verses of Guru Granth Sahib are written in a form of poetry and rhyme to be recited in thirty-one Ragas of the Classical Indian Music as specified. However, the exponents of these are rarely to be found amongst the Sikhs who are conversant with all the Ragas in the Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Nanak started the Shabad Kirtan tradition and taught that listening to chant is a powerful way to achieve tranquility while meditating, and singing of the glories of the Supreme Timeless One (God) with devotion is the most effective way to come in communion with the Supreme Timeless One.
Remembrance of the Divine Name
A key practice by Sikhs is remembrance of the Divine Name. This contemplation is done through repetition of the Divine Name or remembrance of the Divine Name through recitation. The verbal repetition of the name of God or a sacred syllable has been an ancient established practice in religious traditions in India, however, Sikhism developed remembrance of the Divine Name as an important Bhakti practice. Guru Nanak's ideal is the total exposure of one's being to the divine Name and a total conforming to the Divine Order. Nanak described the result of the disciplined application of remembrance of the Divine Name as a "growing towards and into God" through a gradual process of five stages. The last of these is the Realm of Truth – the final union of the spirit with God.
Service and Action
Service in Sikhism takes three forms: 1) physical service, i.e. labor, 2) mental service, such as dedicating your heart for service of others, and 3) material service, including financial support. Sikhism stresses honest work. Sikh teachings also stress the concept of sharing, giving to the needy for the benefit of the community.
Justice and Equality
Sikhism regards God as the true emperor, the king of all kings, the one who dispenses justice through the law of karma, a retributive model and divine grace.
Sikhism does not differentiate religious obligations by sex. God in Sikhism has no sex, and the Sikh scripture does not discriminate against women, nor bar them from any roles.
Scripture
There is one primary scripture for the Sikhs: the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy scripture of the Sikhs, and is regarded as the living Guru.
Palanquin housing the Guru Granth Sahibji.
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Observances
The daily recitation of the divine name of God and from a memory of specific passages from the Guru Granth Sahib, like the literally chant is recommended immediately after rising and bathing.
Baptized Sikhs recite the five-morning prayers, the evening and night prayer.
Prayers on the roof of Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib.
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Family customs include both reading passages from the scripture and attending the gurdwara (meaning the "doorway to God"). There are many gurdwaras prominently constructed and maintained across India, as well as in almost every nation where Sikhs reside. Gurdwaras are open to all, regardless of religion, background, caste, or race.
Worship in a gurdwara consists chiefly of the singing of passages from the scripture. Sikhs will commonly enter the gurdwara, touch the ground before the holy scripture with their foreheads.
Prayer Hall (Darbar Sahib).
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The gurdwara is also the location for the historic Sikh practice of "Langar" or the community meal. All gurdwaras are open to anyone of any faith for a free meal, always vegetarian. People eat together, and the kitchen is maintained and serviced by Sikh community volunteers.
Community meal (Langar).
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Ceremonies and customs
Khalsa Sikhs have also supported and helped develop major pilgrimage traditions to sacred sites such as Harmandir Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patna Sahib, Hazur Nanded Sahib, Hemkund Sahib and others.
Major Sikh temples feature a temple tank (sarovar) where some Sikhs take a customary dip. Some take home the sacred water of the tank particularly for sick friends and relatives, believing that the waters of such sacred sites have restorative powers and the ability to purify one's karma.
Upon a child's birth, the Guru Granth Sahib is opened at a random point and the child is named using the first letter on the top left hand corner of the left page.
The Sikh marriage ritual includes a ceremony. The marriage ceremony is performed in front of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Upon death, the body of a Sikh is usually cremated. If this is not possible, any respectful means of disposing the body may be employed.
Initiation and the Khalsa
Khalsa (meaning "pure and sovereign") is the collective name given by Guru Gobind Singh to those Sikhs who have been fully initiated by taking part in a ceremony called ammrit sancar (nectar ceremony). During this ceremony, sweetened water is stirred with a double-edged sword while liturgical prayers are sung; it is offered to the initiating Sikh, who ritually drinks it.
Many Sikhs are not formally and fully initiated, as they do not undergo this ceremony, but do adhere to some components of Sikhism and identify as Sikhs. The initiated Sikh, who is believed to be reborn, is referred to as Am
Baptised Sikhs wear five items, called the Five Ks, at all times. The five items are: kes (uncut hair), kangha (small wooden comb), kara (circular steel or iron bracelet), kirpan (sword/dagger), and kacchera (special undergarment). The Five Ks have both practical and symbolic purposes.
See also
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