Sikhism

Ethan Paulson ** Sikhism **



Sikhism is rooted in a particular religious experience, piety, and culture and informed by a unique inner revelation of its founder, Guru Nanak (1469–1539). It evolved in response to three main elements. The first of these was the ideology based on religious and cultural innovations of Guru Nanak and his nine successors. The second was the rural base of the Punjabi society. The third significant element was the period of Punjab history. All three elements combined to produce the mutual interaction between ideology and environment in the historical development of Sikhism.

Sikhism is monotheistic, strongly emphasizing belief in one true God. Guru Nanak used the Hindu mystic syllable om as a symbol of God. He added the qualifications of God as one and creator, resulting in the ik om kar symbol. Sikhism forbids the representation of God in images and the worship of idols. Sikhism retains the general Hindu conception of the universe and the doctrine of samsara, or rebirth, based on karma. Human birth is the only chance to escape samsara and attain salvation. The ultimate source of authority and doctrine in Sikhism is the sacred book, the Adi Granth. In the event of disputes, a council is convened at the Akal Takht ("Throne of the Timeless"), a building facing the Harimandir temple in Amritsar. Resolutions passed by this council carry spiritual sanction. (S.S)

For more information: All About SIkhism



Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539). He was born in Punjab, which is an area of what is now Pakistan. He received a vision to preach the way to enlightenment and God at Sultanpur. He taught a strict monotheism, the brotherhood of humanity, and rejected idol worship and the Hindu concept of caste. He and his followers later went on to build the first Sikh temple at Katarpur. From the time Guru Nanak died, until 1708, a succession of Gurus (reincarnations of Guru Nanak) led the movement. After that, the functions of the Guru were past to the Panth and the holy text. A mass migration of Sikhs and Hindus from Pakistan to India and a reverse migration of Muslims resulted, with immense loss of life. Some Sikhs have been seeking an independent homeland since the late 1940's.

Sikhs believe in a single, Formless God with many names, who can be known through meditation. This is a similar concept to Islam whose followers believe in a single God with 99 names. They also believe in samsara (the repetitive cycle of birth, life and death), karma (the accumulated sum of one's good and bad deeds, and reincarnation the belief of a rebirth following death. These beliefs are similar to Hinduism. They feel that everyone has equal status in the eyes of God.


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All About Sikhism - This website is full of information about the history of Sikhism and the stories and key people part of it. It can answer any question about Sikhism you might have, from what they eat, to the way they live.

Will Jahnke

Sikhism is a montheitsic religion founded in the fiftennth century on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and ten other Sikh Gurus. It is the fifth- largest religion in the world and one of the fastest growing. The main beliefs of Sikhism are faith and justice in Waheguru, meaning one God. Sikhism follows the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. The followers of Sikhism are ordered to follow the teaching of the ten Sikh Gurus as well as the holy scripture. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism was born in present day Pakistan with his parents and one sister. As a boy, Nanak was fascinated by God and religion, but would not follow the religious rituals or custom and only meditated alone. This desire eventually caused him to leave home and take missionary journeys. In 1538, he chose is first diciple, Angad Dev and began to preach the priciple equality of women. He chose many more deciples and preached and wrote their beliefs into what is now the holy scripture.


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 * Sikhism ** This webiste will tell you more about Sikhism and how it all beagn. It will alos tell you Sikhism beliefs and rituals.

[|All about sikhism] Sikhism Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world; there are over 26 million Sikhs worldwide this religion is such a large influence on so many people in the North America area. How can you tell if they are seeks? Most often you will see a seek wearing a turban. Is what is unique about Sikhs is that they do not believe in terrorism or hurting innocent people. The Sikhs turban will symbolize many different things for example it will symbolize discipline, integrity, humility and most of all spirituality. This turban they wear is mandatory which part of Sikh faith is strongly. Their religion and beliefs are very strong threw out there people. Sikhism is a 500 year old religion. They also originated in India and has travelled threw out the world for example there are over 1 million Sikhs in the United States and Canada. They also have a symbol and it is called the //khanda// it is a doubled-edged sword flanked by two daggers. What is represents is worldly and spiritual powers bound by their god //Sri Guru Granth Sahib//. He is the one who contains the scriptures of the Sikhs. By: Logan Matzke

The Khanda, like Ek-Onkar is a very important symbol in Sikhism. The Khanda is commonly seen in Gurdwaras and on the Sikh flag. The Khanda symbolizes God's Universal and Creative Power. In it's center is a double edged sword, which symbolizes the primal and almighty power of the creator. The 'Chakra' or the circle is a symbol of the continuity. The two swords on the outside are symbols of the spiritual and political balance in the universe. (WS)