Contents 

1. Introduction
2. Scripture 
3.  Beliefs and Practices of Sikhism
4. Rites And Festivals in Sikhism 
5. Key Concepts of Sikhism
6. Source

Introduction

In the 15th century, the Punjab area of India was the birthplace of the religion known as Sikhism. Based on the teachings of Guru Nanak and the nine Gurus who came after him, it is a monotheistic religion. Gobind Singh, the 10th and last Guru, put a stop to the succession of human gurus in 1708 and made the Guru Granth Sahib, the canonical text of the Sikhs, their everlasting guru. In comparison to other Indian religions, Sikhism holds a lot of different beliefs. For instance, Sikhs hold to reincarnation and karma yet reject asceticism and caste systems. They also have a distinctive view of God that emphasises both his immanence in creation and his omnipresence and transcendence.

Due to their beards and turbans, Sikhs in the United States are frequently mistaken for Muslims. Sikhism, on the other hand, is a separate religion that has its roots in South Asia’s Punjab region and dates back to the 15th century. The teachings of Guru Nanak and the nine Gurus who came after him form the foundation of Sikhism. The Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred text of the Sikhs, received the Guruship from the tenth and final Guru, Gobind Singh. Sikhs hold to the idea of a single, eternal, formless God who permeates all of creation. They disapprove of the worship of idols. Instead, they place a strong emphasis on serving others, promoting equality for all, and leading sincere lives.

Scripture 

The Guru Granth Sahib, also known as Adi Granth or Adi Guru Darbar, is the most important text in Sikhism. Including hymns from other saints of the Hindu and Muslim faiths as well as the Sikh Gurus, this sacred book has approximately 1,400 pages. It was developed to serve as a foundation for Sikhs’ moral principles and spiritual development.

The Sikhs revere the Guru Granth Sahib as the actual, physical manifestation of their beloved Tenth Master Guru Gobind Singh. It is believed that the words contained within were divinely inspired by God Himself and as a result provide instructions on how to live a moral life that leads to enlightenment.

 Beliefs and Practices of Sikhism

Founded in the Punjab region of India in the late 15th century, Sikhism is a monotheistic faith. The Sikh faith, which has been called a “unique combination of Hindu and Muslim ideas,” places a strong focus on social justice and equality. The teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the nine Gurus who followed him serve as the foundation for Sikh doctrine. Sikhism’s core beliefs include belief in a single God, serving others, and living an honest, moral, and compassionate life. Sikhism’s belief in the equality of all people is one of its most unique features.The Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred text of the Sikhs, contains the tenet that “there is no Hindu or Muslim, only humanity.” Sikhs hold that regardless of race, caste, or faith, everyone is equal before God.

Sikhism’s spiritual teachings are built on love for all people, regardless of their faith, and its core tenets are devotion to a single God.
Worship at Gurdwaras, or Sikh temples of worship, is the most significant daily ritual for Sikhs. They are accessible to anyone and frequently include congregational meals called Langars, religious leaders lecturing devotional singing, and prayer recitation. Some Sikhs employ meditation techniques such as path (the reading or chanting of texts) or Simran in addition to frequently attending gurdwaras (repeating mantras).

Rites And Festivals in Sikhism 

The Sikh Rahit Marayada, the manual describing the duties of Sikhs, lists four rituals as rites of passage. The first ceremony is a birth and naming ceremony, which is done at a gurdwara as soon as the mother is able to stand up and take a shower after giving birth. A hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib is randomly selected, and the name chosen begins with the first letter of the tune. Singh is added to names for men, while Kaur is added to names for women. Another rite that distinguishes Sikhs from Hindus is the marriage ceremony known as anand karaj, which translates to “blissful union.”

In contrast to the Hindu tradition of circling a sacred fire, the bride and groom must move four times around the Guru Granth Sahib to the singing of Guru Ram Das’ Suhi Chhant. The Amrit Sanskar, or ceremony for initiation into the Khalsa, is the third rite and is regarded as the most significant. The funeral procession is the fourth rite. The distinction between Sikhs and Hindus is underlined in every instance. According to Sikh Rahit Marayada, the initiation procedure is carried out by six initiated Sikhs, five of whom actually carry out the ceremony while the sixth observes from a seat next to the Guru Granth Sahib, which is required to be present on such occasions. The procedure entails adding soluble sweets and pouring water into a huge iron bowl. This symbolises the Amrit (also known as “nectar”), which is stirred by one of the five Sikhs using a two-edged sword.

The applicants for initiation drink five handfuls of the amrit that has been offered to them after the recitation of a few writings of the Gurus, which is followed by Ardas. “Praise to the Guru’s Khalsa! Praise to the Guru’s triumph!” the Sikh who is handing it to them exclaims each time. The initiates receive five sprinkles of Amrit on their hair and eyes before drinking the remaining amrit from the same basin. One of the five Sikhs then explains the Rahit to them after they have recited the Mul Mantra (the superscription at the beginning of the Guru Granth Sahib) five times.

They must wear the Five Ks and abstain from four specific sins: shaving one’s head, consuming halal meat, engaging in sexual activity with anyone other than one’s husband, and smoking. Any Sikh who commits one of these crimes must confess in front of others and be re-initiated. The term “patit” is applied to someone who violates the Rahit but refuses to confess (apostate). A candidate is given a name if they haven’t already received one from the Guru Granth Sahib. Lastly, everyone receives karah prasad from the same dish.

Key Concepts of Sikhism

Sikhism is a distinctive religion with a wide range of central ideas. These fundamental ideas include justice, service, and equality. Sikhism places a lot of importance on the idea of equality. God does not differentiate between people based on their race, caste, or gender. Everything of creation is treated equally, and Sikhs hold that we should show respect for each and every living thing. Another important Sikhism principle is service. The Sikh faith holds that we should give to others without expecting anything in return. Regardless matter who they are, everyone in need deserves our assistance. Sikhism places a high value on justice. We must constantly speak up for what is right and combat injustice in all its forms. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with respect.

In conclusion, Sikhism is a religion founded on the idea that all people are created equal and that there is only one God. It is a religion that places a strong emphasis on giving back to the community and leading an upright life. Humans have the capacity to be good or wicked from birth, but our decisions ultimately shape who we become.

Source

Sikhism: An Introduction by Nickky-Gunider Kaur Singh, 2011 ·