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Alternative
Religions profiles
History/Founder/important persons/saints:
Sri
Guru Nanak Dev Ji founded the Sikh religion in the fifteenth century
as an attempt to reconcile the Hindu and Islamic religions. Guru Nanak
was a revolutionary in those times- his teachings that women and men
were equal, that caste was unimportant, and that there are many paths
to God- were ahead of their time.
A
Portrait of Guru Nanak
Sikh
Gurus: Nine more Gurus followed Nanak- the last was Guru Gobind
Singh, who declared living Gurus no longer neccessary, and appointed
the Khalsa initiatory order and the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (scripture)
as his successors.
Current
leader/governing body:
There are no central governing bodies in the Sikh religion.
Number
of Adherents: There are about twenty three million Sikhs worldwide, with the majority
in India's Punjab region. Clergy:
Sikhs have no clergy, believing an established clergy to invite corruption.
A clergy also establishes rank, which is in direct opposition to the
Sikh theology of the equality of all. Sikhs do
not recognize castes or other impositions of social structure.
Churches/Temples:
A
Sikh temple is called a Gurdawara, meaning "House of the Guru,
" or "Door to the Guru." All Gurdwaras contain a copy
of the Guru Granth Sahib, and are open to people of all faiths. The
Harmiandir Sahib (Golden Temple) is an important religious center, but
is not considered more holyt than any other Gurdwara. An important feature
of the Sikh Temple is the Langar,
a communal vegetarian meal.
The
Khalsa Order: A special initiatory rite is required to join the Khalsa,
or "Brotherhood of Saints," although one does not have to be
Khalsa to be Sikh. The Khalsa ("Pure Ones") order was founded
by Guru Gobind Singh, their purpose to uphold Sikh values.
Men and women who become initiates of the order are expected to adhere to a strict code of moral
and ethical conduct, as they are the ambassadors of the faith. This code
includes the observance of the five khalsas:
- Kesa,
or uncut hair, as a reminder to do no harm to the body. Male
Sikhs wear their hair in a turban.
- Kacha,
a special undergarment, as a symbol of marital chastity.
Carrying:
- The
Kanga, a wooden comb, symbolizing cleanliness.
The Kara, a circular steel bracelet, signifying devotion
to eternal truth.
The Kirpan, or ceremonial dagger, symbolizing a vow to
protect the weak and helpless.
Initiated Male Khalsas adopt the
mandatory last name "Singh," meaning "Lion;" females
take the name "Kaur," meaning "Princess." The Khalsas
historic mission was to fight oppression and injustice.
Scripture: Sri
Guru Granth Sahib; also the writings of the ten Gurus and the work
of non Sikhs believed to be spiritually valuable, and the
the
Adi Granth- the writings of Guru Nanak.
Holidays
and observances: Sikh holidays include many traditional Hindu holidays,
such as Diwali.
Basic
teachings and Beliefs of Sikhism: Sikh beliefs
are an interesting expansion on Hindu and Muslim ideas. Like Hindus, Sikhs
believe in Dharma, (the law of Karma) reincarnation, and Samsara (the
Hindu cycle of life and death). Like Muslims, they believe in a single
deity, and eschew idolatry.
Code
of Conduct: The
Sikh religion prohibits idolatry, the observance of a caste system,
and the use of alcohol or tobacco. Sikhs also avoid meat that is not
humanely slaughtered, and some prefer a vegetarian diet. Kosher and
Halal meats are forbidden because they are believed to be inhumanely
slaughtered.
Misconceptions:
Unfortunately,
due to the events of September, 2001, many Sikhs have been misidentified
as Muslim extremists because their dress is similar to to that affected
by Osama bin Laden. Many have been harassed, assaulted, or even killed.
Sikhism is not an Islamic sect, and Sikhs believe in the equality of
all human beings, regardless of gender, religion, race, or social status.
Symbols
of Sikhism: The universal Sikh symbol is a glyph (called a Khanda)
composed of a central, straight edged sword, symbozing truth surrounded
by two curved swords representing temporal power and authority.
Other important
emblems include the Kirpan (a ceremonial knife worn by initiates), and
the Onkar, a symbol of the unity of God. Click the images below to learn
more about these symbols:
  
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