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Introduction
to Sikhism
The
Sikh Religion is a relatively new religion started with the
birth of Guru
Nanak in
the year 1469. Guru Nanak came to this world at a time when
there was a lot of corruption and darkness in this world. The
two main religions, Hinduism and Islam were quarrelling over
religious beliefs.
Guru Nanak brought a simple message of
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—
Ik
Oankar
meaning
that there
is only one creator God.
This became the main theme of Sikhism.
One day as Guru Nanak went missing in the river for three
days, he came out and said:
“There
is no Hindu, There is no Muslim”
Guru Nanak preached that there is no use of fighting over
religion because there is the same God for all.
The
Followers of the Guru were named Sikhs,
meaning students.
The
word Guru means one who brings light to darkness.
Guru
Nanak showed the lost people of this world to break from
false rituals, superstitions, and factions. He preached that
one does not have to abandon this world and live in jungles
to find God, instead while living in society one must resist
temptations and kill the five evils:
1)
Kaam - Lust
2) Krodh - Anger
3) Lobh - Greed
4) Moh - Worldly Attachment
5) Ahunkar - Ego
Guru
Nanak taught the Sikhs three main lessons:
1. Naam
Jupnaa —
To repeat God’s Name. The Sikhs should rise early in the
morning, before sunrise and meditate. Then the rest of the
day, while working they should remember God and recite the
scriptures.
2. Kirt
Kurnee
— To work and earn an honest living while leading a family
life.
3. Vund
Ke Shuknaa —
To share your hard earned wealth with others.
There
are eleven Gurus in the Sikh Religion:
1.Guru
Nanak Saheb - 1469—1539
2.Guru
Angad Saheb - 1504—1552
3.Guru
Amar Das Ji
- 1479—1574
4.Guru
Ram Das Ji
- 1534—1581
5.Guru
Arjun Saheb
- 1563—1606
6.Guru HarGobind Saheb
-
1505—1644
7.Guru
Har Rai Saheb
-
1630—1661
8.Guru
HarKrishan Saheb
-
1656—1664
9.Guru
Teg Buhadur Ji
-
1621—1675
10.Guru
Gobind Singh Ji
-
1666—1708
11.Guru
Granth Saheb JI
-
1604—present time
Guru
Nanak laid the foundation stones for the Sikh religion and
each successive Guru added to that foundation, making it
stronger. The tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh Ji finished the
mission Guru Nanak had started. He introduced a new ceremony
of baptism and named the Sikhs the Khalsa, the pure ones.
Guru Gobind Singh turned the Sikhs into saint-soldiers who
are always ready to speak out against injustice and help the
needy.
The
Khalsa are required to keep five articles of faith on them at
all times:
1.Kes
- Unshorn hair. The Khalsa is not allowed to cut/shave hair
on any part of his/her body.
2.Kunga
- A small wooden comb that must be kept in the hair at all
times.
3.Kushera
- Specially made military shorts - as a symble of purity.
4.Kurraa
-
An Iron bracelet worn on the arm - reminding a Sikh of truth
and as a reminder that the Khalsa belongs to the Guru.
5.Kirpan
- A dagger - which shows that the khalsa is always ready to
protect the truth and help those who are in need.
The
Sikhs are required to be full vegitarians and
are not allowed to drink Alcohal or smoke.
Guru
Gobind Singh passed the guru-ship on to Guru Granth Saheb Ji
- The Holy Scriptures.
Guru
Granth Saheb Ji is not considered just a book, Guru Gobind
Singh Ji told the Sikhs to worship Guru Granth Saheb as a
living Guru.
All
around the world, people are amazed at how much respect the
Sikhs show to Guru Granth Saheb Ji.
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