SIKHISM

The Origins of Sikhism: Intro

Where did Sikhism start?

Who was Guru Nanak?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-beginnings-of-sikhism/4822.html

Key Figures

Sikh tradition tells us that in Sikhism Gurus are not to be worshipped as they are not God but are teachers who show the way to God.

All together there are 11 gurus in Sikhism. Guru Nanak being the first guru and the Last being Guru Granth Sahib!

The Guru Granth Sahib

The last ten gurus were humans. This Guru is a sacred collection of texts. It is a preservation of the teachings of the ten previous Gurus.

The Guru Granth sahib is the holy scripture in Sikhism

Sikhs look to this book for guidance in their lives.

Sikhs believe it is a Divine Revelation

Treatment of the Sacred Text

Chauri (fan) – waved over the

pages as they are read by the appointed

scripture reader.

At the beginning of the day the Granthi (reader),

and any other Sikhs present, form a

procession to carry the Guru Granth Sahib to its position on the Manji in

the Diwan hall (place of worship) of the Gurdwara.

The holy text is put to bed in it’s own room every night.

The Guru Granth Sahib is given the same respect that was shown to the

human Gurus during their lifetimes.

It is never placed on the ground and Sikhs never

turn their back on it.

Manji (cushions) – Where the text is

placed.

Rumara – Cloths to cover.

Amrit CeremonySikhs who have been through this ceremony become baptised, take new

names and wear the 5 K’s.

The ceremony is the initiation rite introduced by Guru Gobind Singh when founding the Khalsa.

In the Gurdwara before the Granth Sahib and in presence of 5 initiated Sikhs, they represent the Panj Piyaras, first 5 initiated Sikhs

Hyms are recited from the scripture, prayers said and principles affirmed Amrit is prepared, a mixture of sugar and water, with a double-edge sword Initiation candidates drink the Amrit from the same bowl, it is then sprinkled

on their eyes and hair They each recite the Mool Mantra (Fundamentals of Sikhism) readings from

the sacred text, explanation of rules in Sikhism Finished with the eating of Karah Parshad, sweet tasting food, been blessed

The initiation can occur as soon as Sikhs are old enough to understand the full commitment they are making.

The Five K’s

Dated from the creation of Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh, 1699

They were introduced for a number of reasons …

The symbols help identify members of the Khalsa Aiding strength as a community

Each K has a particular meaning and represents a particular symbol

Instruction from the Guru is enough of a reason for many Sikh’s to wear the 5 K’s

The symbols have been seen to increase in power throughout Sikh history

In adoption of the 5 K’s ritual Sikh’s are believed to remember that every warrior,

saint or martyr since 1699 and every member or Khalsa are united

0.20 – 2.10 … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn3KNyPNKic

Kesh – Uncut Hair

There are a number of reasons for Sikh’s keeping hair uncut …

Hair is considered a symbol of holiness and strength and has been throughout history

Part of God’s creation, a symbol of accepting God’s gift as he intended it

Adoption of a simple life, denial of pride in appearance

Moving beyond concerns of the body and attain maturity in Spirit

A Sikh is to bow his head to no other than the Guru including the barber

Also a visible symbol of membership to the community

Sikh women are also forbidden to cut hair and trim eyebrows Sikh men are forbidden to trim their beards.

Kara – Steel Bracelet

Symbolising that a Sikh is linked to the Guru

A reminder not to do anything the Guru wouldn’t approve

God has no beginning or end

Permanent bond to the community, a link in the chain of Khalsa Sikhs

Made of steel, not gold or silver, it’s not an ornament

Kanga – Wooden Comb

Representing a clean mind and body, keeping the hair neat

Symbolises the importance of caring for the body, something God has created.

Does not conflict with their aim to move beyond bodily concerns,

the body should be cared for appropriately.

Kacha – Special Underwear

These must not come below the knee

Thought to be a useful garment for Sikh warriors of 18th & 19th centuries

especially for warfare on horses

Also a symbol of chastity

Kirpan – Ceremonial Sword

This can be anything from 3 inches to 5 foot long, kept in a sheath

Can be worn over and under clothing

It is considered to symbolise …

Defence of good

Defence of the weak

Struggles against injustice

Spirituality

Soldier saints

Metaphor for God

WorshipSikhs believe in one God so only worship one God

To many Sikhs God is abstract Cant be physically described Self exists in everyone’s souls

Is only ‘seen’ by those God has blessed

This abstraction means most Sikhs worship God without the use of images or statues

Instead Sikhs look upon their holy text, the Guru Granth Sahib for guidance.

The Guru Granth Sahib is highly respected.

When not in use it is covered by a piece of silk called a Romalla.

Sikh worship can be public or private:

Private worship can be at any day, any time, anywhere

Sikhs aim to pray at least 3 times a day, morning, evening and before going to sleep

It is important to allow no distractions so that prayer is effective

Prayer is spending time with God who, although abstract, is seen as a caring friend

Public congregational worship is special to Sikhs

Public worship takes place in a Gurdwara and can be led by any Sikh, male or female

The Three Duties

Most Sikh’s believe that these must be carried out in a lifetime, essentially, Pray, Work and Give.

Nam japna – Always keeping God in the mind

Kirt Karna – An honest living and seeking to live honestly, not just

to avoid crime as all should vow to do but avoid temptation to gamble, beg or work in the alcohol or tobacco industries. Vand Chhakna –

Sharing one’s earnings with others, including giving to charity and also through care and affection for those

around you.

The Five Vices

Where possible, these are avoided by the five vices that are believed to make people self-centred, building

barriers against God in their lives.

Lust Greed Attachment to things of this world Anger Pride

To overcome the vices aids the road to liberation

THE GURDWARATHE GURDWARA MEANS- THE GATEWAY TO THE GURU A FLAG CALLED THE NISHAN SAHIB IS FLOWN AT EVERY GURDWARA

ANY PLACE WHERE THE GURU GRANT SAHIB (HOLY BOOK) IS, IS A SIKH PLACE OF WORSHIP.SIKHS TAKE THEIR SHOES OFF WHEN ENTERING AND BOW TO THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB WHEN WORSHIPPING

SERVICES ARE GENERALLY HELD ON SUNDAYS AND ARE BASED ON THE VERSES FROM THIS HOLY TEXT

DURING WORSHIP SIKHS BELIEVE IT IS RESPECTFUL FOR SOMEONE TO SIT BEHIND THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB HOLDING A CHAURI

SIKHS CHANT AND PRAY TOGETHER WHICH IS KNOWN AS KEERTAN

EVERY SERVICE ENDS WITH A SHARED MEAL WHICH IS KNOWN AS LANGA

Vaisakhi

Vaisakhi is the Sikh new year, where Sikhs celebrate the founding of the Sikh community in 1699 = this is called Khalsa

It is usually on the 13th or 14th of April This is the most important festival in Sikhism It was originally the harvest festival in Punjab

The story behind Vaisakhi:

In 1699 Guru Gobind Singh came out of a tent carrying a sword requesting for anyone who is prepared to give their life for their religion

A young Sikh volunteered & went into the tent, the Guru then came out with blood on the sword

He asked for another volunteer and then this was repeated another 4times until a total of 5 Sikhs went in to the tent

The 5 Sikhs then appeared alive out of the tent with turbans on These 5 were known as the Panj Piare ‘beloved five’ They became the first 5 members of the Khalsa (Sikh community)

Sikh baby Rites

In all ceremonies Sikhs follow instruction as set out in the Sikh Rahit Maryada, the code of conduct

When a Sikh woman discovers their pregnancy their first action is to pray

On the birth of the baby, the words of the Mool Mantar are whispered into the ears of the new born and honey is placed inside the mouth

As soon as it is possible, it’s customary to visit the temple, usually expected within 40 days of the birth

A passage is read aloud on this day, the family then choose a name using the first letter of the hymn on which the page was opened.

The baby’s name is announced to comgregation, the Granthi would usually add Singh (lion) as a surname if the baby is a boy, and Kaur (princess) if it’s a girl

In celebration at this ceremony Karah Parshad is distributed.