What is Sikhism?

Summary

Sikhism, founded in the late 15th century in Punjab, India, is a unique religion combining elements of Hinduism and Islam. It emphasizes one God, rejects the caste system, and promotes equality. Sikhs, known for their distinctive appearance, reject rituals like fasting and pilgrimages, focusing instead on community service and equality through institutions like the 'langar'. The religion's holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, guides Sikhs in their pursuit of spiritual liberation through prayer, honest work, and charity, while avoiding the five vices that hinder a connection with God.

Takeaways

• 🕉 Sikhism is a monotheistic religion and philosophy founded in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent in the late 15th century.
• 👥 Sikhs make up about 2 percent of India's population and are known for their distinctive appearance, including uncut hair and turbans.
• 🌐 The religion was established by Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 and incorporated elements from both Hinduism and Islam, emphasizing the belief in one God and concepts of karma and reincarnation.
• 🛡 Sikhism rejects the caste system and other social inequalities, advocating for equality among all people regardless of caste, creed, color, race, sex, or religion.
• 🙏 There is no clergy class in Sikhism to prevent corruption; instead, there are readers and singers in their temples.
• 🍽 The religion emphasizes community service and the importance of a common kitchen, or 'langar', in every place of worship, serving meals to all as a symbol of equality.
• 📿 The last human guru, Guru Gobind Singh, declared the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, as the eternal guru of the Sikhs after him, containing writings from Sikh gurus and Hindu and Muslim saints.
• 🗡 Guru Gobind Singh also established the 'Khalsa', a community of fighters, and introduced the five 'Ks', physical symbols of the faith, to help Sikhs identify each other.
• 🙌 Sikhism focuses on three duties: prayer (Naam Japna), honest work (Kirt Karni), and sharing earnings (Vand Chakna), emphasizing a life of devotion, integrity, and generosity.
• 🚫 Sikhs are encouraged to avoid the five vices—lust, greed, attachment, anger, and pride—to overcome self-centeredness and move towards liberation.
• 🌟 The ultimate goal in Sikhism is to achieve 'Mukti' or liberation, a state of union with God, which is attained through God's grace and the individual's devotion and contemplation.

Q & A

What is the origin of Sikhism?

Sikhism is a religion and philosophy founded in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent in the late 15th century.

Who are the members of Sikhism known as?

The members of Sikhism are known as Sikhs.

What percentage of India's population are Sikhs?

About 2 percent of India's population are Sikhs.

What is the traditional appearance of Sikh men?

Traditionally, Sikh men keep their hair uncut, do not shave their beard or moustache, and gather their head hair in a turban.

Who established Sikhism and in what year was he born?

Sikhism was established by Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 in the Punjab region of North India.

What are the core beliefs of Sikhism?

Sikhism includes beliefs from both Hinduism and Islam, such as the existence of one invisible God, karma, and reincarnation.

How does Sikhism view the caste system and practices like sati?

Sikhism tried to abolish Indian customs such as the caste system and sati, promoting equal rights for everyone regardless of caste, creed, color, race, sex, or religion.

What is the significance of the Guru Granth Sahib in Sikhism?

The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of Sikhism, proclaimed as the eternal guru after the last human Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

What is the importance of community service in Sikhism?

Community service is emphasized in Sikhism, with a common kitchen called 'langar' in every gurudwara where meals are served to all, emphasizing equality.

What are the three duties that a Sikh must carry out?

The three duties a Sikh must carry out are to pray (Naam Japna), work (Kirtan Khorana), and give (Vand Chakna).

How does Sikhism view the concept of pilgrimage and fasting?

Sikhism does not support pilgrimage to holy sites or fasting, as it believes God is everywhere and the body should be maintained in good condition.

What are the five vices that Sikhs try to avoid?

The five vices that Sikhs try to avoid are lust, covetousness and greed, attachment to worldly things, anger, and pride.

What is the significance of the five signs or 'Five Ks' in Sikhism?

The five signs, or 'Five Ks', chosen by Guru Gobind Singh, symbolize the Sikh identity and include uncut hair, a comb, a sword or dagger, a bracelet on the right wrist, and shorts.