| Sikhism
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.
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.
Churches/Temples:
A
Sikh temple is called a Gurdawara, meaning "house of the Guru,
" or "door to the Guru."
Requirements
to join: 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 were once a militia, but are now recognized as the
devout initiates of the religion. 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, the Adi Granth- the writings of Guru
Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion. Required
observances, dietary restrictions:
Sikhs (Khalsas) follow strict
traditions of dress including the observance of five dress rituals,
also called 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 steel bracelet, signifying devotion to truth.
The Kirpan, or ceremonial dagger, symbolizing a vow to protect
the weak and helpless.
Holidays
and observances: Sikh holidays include many traditional Hindu holidays,
such as Diwali.
Basic
teachings and Beliefs of Sikhism: Sikh beliefs
are an interesting amalgamation of 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 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), and the onkar, a symbol
of the unity of God:
  
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