sm

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

Historical Origins Sikhism

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

• 22 million Sikhs worldwide• 20 million Sikhs in India

I NDI A

CHI NA

INDIAAFGHANI STAN

PAKI STAN

I RAN

India & PakistanIndia & Pakistan

¨ Punjab in India & Pakistan, the birthplace of Sikhism¨ 16 million Sikhs presently living in Punjab,India

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

Guru NanakGuru Nanak

GuruGuru Nanak Nanak

Founded Sikhism

Born in 1469

10 Gurus

Masters/Teachers

Guru Gobind Singh

1708

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

Guru Granth SahibGuru Granth Sahib

1708–Present Guru1708–Present Guru

Guru Granth SahibGuru Granth Sahib

Spiritual Message1430 PagesPunjabi

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

Worship the Divine Message

• Guru Granth Sahib revered as living Master• Focus & fulcrum of worship, religious

activities & interpretations© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

The Sikh TempleGURUDWARA

� Guru Granth Sahib� Nishan Sahib� Architecture

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

� All welcome� Hymns� Heads covered� Shoes removed� Sit on floor; meditate� Community kitchen

Inside the Gurudwara

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

Golden TempleGolden Temple

Golden Temple, AmritsarGolden Temple, AmritsarHarmandir Sahib—1588Harmandir Sahib—1588Fifth GuruFifth Guru

Akal Takhat� Seat of Temporal Authority� In Amritsar, Punjab, India� In Harmandir Sahib complex� Original built by Sixth Guru

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

Beliefs of the Sikhs

� One God/Creator� All Humans Created Equal� Human Life a Precious Blessing� Service of Creator� Warriors of Truth� Salvation in This Life

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

Articles of Faith� Five K’s

• Kes (Hair)Kes (Hair)• Kangha (Comb) Kangha (Comb) • Kachha (Breeches)Kachha (Breeches)• Karra (Iron Bracelet)Karra (Iron Bracelet)• Kirpaan (Sword)Kirpaan (Sword)

� Exterior Identity

Values & Practices� Love of a Singular God� Truth & Social Justice� Humility, Grace Of Guru� Disciplining of the Mind

•• Meditation, IntrospectionMeditation, Introspection•• HouseholderHouseholder•• Sharing—One Tenth of EarningsSharing—One Tenth of Earnings•• No Priestly Class, Gender EqualityNo Priestly Class, Gender Equality•• Smoking & Intoxicants ProhibitedSmoking & Intoxicants Prohibited

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

The Sikh EmpireThe Sikh Empire

The Sikh Empire

Sikh Misls in 17901801–1849British Annexation

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Emigration1890’s

China, Indonesia

BC and California

First World War

Philippines, Malaysia, China

Emigration to England© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

World-War II VeteransWorld-War II Veterans

World War II Decorated Veterans

Alongside the BritishNorth African & Italian Sectors“There were 2.5 million Sikhs serving in the British Army by the end of the [Second World] War.”—Major Robert Henderson, aged 81, Sunday Telegraph, London. September 21, 1997

Post-Independence Emigration

(1960s)Hindu Nationalism

Professionals

emigrate

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

1980–96More power to states

Expedient Laws—State Terrorism

Attack on the Golden Temple

Recent Wave of Emigration

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

North Carolina� 1960s—4 Sikh Families

� Now—approximately 1,000 Sikhs� Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina—1985� Scientists, Physicians, Engineers, Professors,

Computer Technicians, Business-people

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

Sikhs in the USA� 250,000� California, New Jersey/New York, DC� Dalip Singh Saund; Ravi Singh� Identity; Next Generation� Articles of Faith� Confusion with Islamic/Arabic Identity

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

Sikhism & Other Religions

� Do not seek conversions� Open to conversions� Not critical of other

religions� Respect all who believe in

one God� Oppose forced conversion� Active Interfaith presence

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina

THANKS

© 1997, Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina