| Author | Topic |
nadya
USA
|
 Topic initiated on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 1:08 AM 
Learn about Sikhism
Overview of Sikhism
There are 20 million Sikhs in the world, most living in India.
Sikhism is Britain's third most popular religion, with about half a million Sikhs living in the UK.
Sikh men are easily identified by their beards and turbans, which are an outward sign of their religious identity.
Belief and Life
The most important thing in Sikhism is the internal religious state of the individual.
Sikhs avoid superstitious behaviour, and pilgrimages, statues, buildings, and "blind" rituals.
Sikhs think religion should be practiced by living in the world and coping with life's everyday problems. They don't approve of retreating from the world to be a monk or a hermit.
The Bare Essentials of Sikhism
Founded in the 15th century CE
Founded in the Punjab district of what is now India and Pakistan
Most of the world's 20 million Sikhs still live in the Punjab
Founded by Guru Nanak
Present day Sikhism is still based on Guru Nanak's teachings and those of the 9 Sikh gurus who followed him
Key Beliefs
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion
(which means a religion with only one God)
Sikhism emphasises social and sexual equality
Sikhism stresses the importance of doing good actions rather than merely carrying out rituals
Sikhs believe that the way to lead a good life is to:
Keep God in heart and mind at all times
Live honestly and work hard
Treat everyone equally
Be generous to the less fortunate
Serve others
The Sikh place of worship is called a Gurdwara
Gurdwara is a punjabi word meaning gateway to the Guru
The Sikh scripture is a book called the Guru Granth Sahib
The tenth Sikh Guru decreed that after his death the spiritual guide of the Sikhs would be the teachings contained in that book, so it now has the status of a Guru, and Sikhs show it the respect they would give to a human Guru
The community of men and women who have been initiated into the Sikh faith is the Khalsa. The Khalsa celebrated its 300th anniversary in 1999
Guru Gobind Singh decreed that where Sikhs could not find answers in the Guru Granth Sahib, they should decide issues as a community, based on the principles of their scripture
Taken from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/intro.shtml
Learn more about Sikh history, customs, beliefs, worship and holy days at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/index.shtml |
|
aslam
PAKISTAN
|
Posted - Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 3:35 PM 
|
ahaseeb235
IRELAND
|
Posted - Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 11:47 PM
Assalamu Alaikum
Can any one please tell why Sikhs wear thier turban and dont cut their hair?
ws |
|
nadya
USA
|
Posted - Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 3:02 AM
Asalamu Alaykum
I hope this answers your question:
If not let me know.
Taken from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/print//religion/religions/sikhism/customs/
Sikh Customs
The majority of Sikh customs are associated with the Khalsa, the body of initiated Sikhs to which most adult Sikhs belong.
Sikhs who have been through the Amrit Ceremony of initiation become Amritdhari - or initiated - Sikhs, take new names, and wear the 5 Ks.
Singh and Kaur
Khalsa Sikh men take the name "Singh", which means lion, while Khalsa Sikh women take the name "Kaur" which means princess.
The Five Ks
The 5 Ks are 5 physical symbols worn by Sikhs who have been initiated into the Khalsa.
The five Ks are
Kesh (uncut hair)
Kara (a steel bracelet)
Kanga (a wooden comb)
Kaccha (cotton underwear)
Kirpan (sword)
The 5 Ks date from the creation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
The Guru introduced them for several reasons:
Adopting these common symbols would identify members of the Khalsa
Because all members of the Khalsa wear the 5 Ks the members of the community are more strongly bound together.
Each K has a particular significance
The Meaning of the 5 Ks
the 5 Ks taken together symbolise that the Sikh who wears them has dedicated themselves to a life of devotion and submission to the Guru.
For a Sikh the fact that the Guru has instructed the Sikhs to wear the 5 Ks is an entirely sufficient reason, and no more need be said.
The symbols have become greatly more powerful with each passing year of Sikh history.
Every Sikh remembers that every Sikh warrior, saint, or martyr since 1699, and every living member of the Khalsa, is united with them in having adopted the same 5 Ks. |
|
uhmelas
PAKISTAN
|
Posted - Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 8:23 PM
Salam
Thank you Nadya for the information helping in general knowledge.
You pointed out, Sikhism emphasises social and sexual equality. What does it mean? |
|
nadya
USA
|
Posted - Friday, August 12, 2005 - 11:09 PM
| I beleive that means that all people are equal, irrespective of their position in society or sex. |
|
 Reply to Topic 
Printer Friendly |
| Jump To: |
|
|
|