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A way of life and philosophy
well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years
ago, The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20
million people worldwide. Sikhism preaches a message of
devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful
living, equality of mankind, social justice and denounces
superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all
through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh
Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Who is a
Sikh?
The word 'Sikh' in the Punjabi language means 'disciple',
Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow the writings and
teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. The wisdom of these
teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib are practical and
universal in their appeal to all mankind.
"I observe neither Hindu fasting nor the ritual of the
Muslim Ramadan month; Him I serve who at the last shall
save. The Lord of universe of the Hindus, Gosain and Allah
to me are one; From Hindus and Muslims have I broken free. I
perform neither Kaaba pilgrimage nor at bathing spots
worship; One sole Lord I serve, and no other. I perform
neither the Hindu worship nor the Muslim prayer; To the Sole
Formless Lord in my heart I bow. We neither are Hindus nor
Muslims; Our body and life belong to the One Supreme Being
who alone is both Ram and Allah for us." (Guru Arjan Dev,
Guru Granth Sahib, Raga Bhairon pg. 1136)
"Any human being who faithfully believes in: (i) One
Immortal Being, (ii) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru
Gobind Singh, (iii) The Guru Granth Sahib, (iv) The
utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and, (v) the
baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe
allegiance to any other religion is a Sikh." (Reht Maryada,
Sikh Code of Conduct)
Philosophy and Beliefs
There is only One God. He is the same God for all people of
all religions.
The soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it
reaches the human form. The goal of our life is to lead an
exemplary existence so that one may merge with God. Sikhs
should remember God at all times and practice living a
virtuous and truthful life while maintaining a balance
between their spiritual obligations and temporal
obligations.
The true path to achieving salvation and merging with God
does not require renunciation of the world or celibacy, but
living the life of a householder, earning a honest living
and avoiding worldly temptations and sins.
Sikhism condemns blind rituals such as fasting, visiting
places of pilgrimage, superstitions, worship of the dead,
idol worship etc.
Sikhism preaches that people of different races, religions,
or sex are all equal in the eyes of God. It teaches the full
equality of men and women. Women can participate in any
religious function or perform any Sikh ceremony or lead the
congregation in prayer.
History and Practices
The founder of the Sikh religion was Guru Nanak who was born
in 1469. He preached a message of love and understanding and
criticized the blind rituals of the Hindus and Muslims. Guru
Nanak passed on his enlightened leadership of this new
religion to nine successive Gurus. The final living Guru,
Guru Gobind Singh died in 1708.
During his lifetime Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa
order (meaning 'The Pure'), soldier-saints. The Khalsa
uphold the highest Sikh virtues of commitment, dedication
and a social conscious. 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. One of the more
noticeable being the uncut hair (required to be covered with
a turban for men) and the Kirpan (ceremonial sword).
Before his death in 1708 Guru Gobind Singh declared that the
Sikhs no longer needed a living and appointed his spiritual
successor as Sri Guru Granth Sahib, his physical successor
as the Khalsa. Guru Gobind Singh 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 is 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. The Guru felt that they had become corrupt and
full of ego. Sikhs only have custodians of the Guru Granth
Sahib (granthi), and any Sikh is free to read the Guru
Granth Sahib in the Gurdwara (a Sikh temple) or in their
home. All people of all religions are welcome to the
Gurdwara. 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.
The most significant historical religious center for the
Sikhs is Harmiandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) at Amritsar in
the state of Punjab in northern India. It is the
inspirational and historical center of Sikhism but is not a
mandatory place of pilgrimage or worship. All places where
Sri Guru Granth Sahib are installed are considered equally
holy for Sikhs. |
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Philadelphia
Sikh Society
