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Who is the Sikhism leader of worship?
Sikhs don't worship any person as their leader. Their faith was founded by "Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji" who taught people three basic principals of sikhism: (1)Earn your livelihood being honest. (2)Remember God at all times. (3)Share your earnings with the needful. He taught people that no religion is good or bad but these are the deeds of a person which make him good or bad. His Ideology was carried forward by his fellow Gurus (Sikhs had ten gurus). Their tenth guru (Guru Gobind Singh Ji) ordered them before his death that they will no longer have a mortal person as their guru, instead they should start following the holy book "Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji" (also known as Adi Granth) as their guru or leader. This holy book was compiled by the fifth Sikh Guru "Shri Guru Arjun Dev Ji" and it's a masterpiece with 1430 pages of wise sayings and hymns from 6 of the Gurus & 35 other Bhagats from different religions and casts. Choosing persons from different religions also reflects the religious tolerance of the Gurus. Sikhs consider this holy book above all earthly things and people. It's the "Sacha Patshah"(The real king) of the whole world. Sikhs worship "Guru Granth Sahib Ji" in their worship places called Gurudwaras. Every Gurudwara has at least one copy of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji & every Sikh bows his/her head in front of "Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji" only. So Sikhs have only one leader at the time "Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji".
What kind of music do Sikhs listen to?
Research has shown that Jagjit Singh sings any type of devotional songs which are called Bhajan's. He was a very prominent Indian singer, songwriter and musician and one can view some of his Bahjan videos on YouTube.
What was the golden temple used for?
Golden Temple is the popular name for Harmandir Sahib or Darbar sahib. Sikhism as a religion don't have any holy place and as such Golden Temple is not taken in that sense.But as Sikhism grew there were various places where the cultural and important events took place shaping the Sikh history as well as religion. Golden Temple is one of the important place as this was the first Gurudwara (Sikh place of worship) where Guru Granth Sahib Ji was first installed, this was the fisrt Gurudwara where Guru Arjan Dev Ji started doing Gurbani Veechar (contempleting on the words of th Spiritual Guide). Since then it has hold significance place, also it is also the place where the hymns of Guru Granth Sahib are sung throughout the day, usually from 2 A.M to 10 P.M. Therefore, it is always pleasing for any Sikh to visit it,further more a Sikh can relate himself or herself with the Golden Temple itself. Since the question asked "people" rather than Sikh, indeed, anybody can visit Golden Temple.
Why do Sikhs take their shoes off while entering their Temple while Christians dont when they enter their Church?
There are several reasons: The Temple's Darbar Sahib (Where Sikhs sit cross legged) is a place of worship. It must be kept clean and no form of foul smell, dirt or dust should follow the person inside. The Guru Granth Sahib is present. Out of respect for the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhs do not bring their shoes, slippers inside because such items are smelly, dirty having stepped on dirt and spit or faeces found on the roadsides, etc. Further, Sikhs sit on the floor that is covered by carpets and white sheets and they will get dirty. The dirt carries different kind of bacteria or viruses that can transmit diseases and also simply put it dirties the carpets and white sheets. Who would want to sit near smelly shoes, dirty shoes or on dirty carpets and white sheets. Sikhs are supposed to wash their feet before entering the prayers premises. In langgar Halls (place where food is served) most of the above reasons also apply. Hygiene is the foremost for not wearing shoes in the langgar hall.
When do Sikhs eat chapatis?
Its a stupid kind of question. Sikhs were never found making any schedule for having chapaties or rice. As per Guru Granth Saheb instructions one should have such meal which never create any disease in our body IE. meat non-veg food etc.
Why do Sikhs have to have their religion symbol in their house?
As a general practice everyone likes to keep some kind of symbol or a book or some other sign in one's room or house which tells of the faith, belief or religion he belongs to. And so do the Sikhs keep. They always keep a picture of Guru Nanak Dev ji besides a sign of Nishaan sahib
How guru Nanak was died?
Sat Shri Akal. Guru Nanak Dev Ji died from old age. He wasn't sentenced to death like other Guru Jis. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a kind man who believed in equal rights.He didn't deserve to die it just happend everyone does it he was no diffrent.:):):):):):):):) ;););) :P ;P
If you follow the five ks what do you become?
A Sikh is defined as "any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being; ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Sri Guru Gobind Singh; the Sri Guru Granth Sahib; the utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru; and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion".Sikhs are usually of four types, please note that however their differences are not about their beliefs or spirituality but rather the differences are in their life style and how each Sikh is dedicated to his/her Guru's teaching.Amrit Dhari Sikhs are those who have been baptized, where Amrit means nectar and dhari means adopted. They live their lives following the 5 K's. Please refer to the following link for 5 K's. Amrit Dhari Sikhs follow a vegetariandiet unless circumstances arises and don't intoxicate them with alcohol or any drugs.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_KsKesh Dhari Sikhs are the ones who keep their hairs but have not taken Amrit.They follow any kind of diet and drinks. The only thing is that they keep their hairs.Sahaj Dhari Sikhs are the ones who cut their hairs and shave them too, any kind of diet and drinks can be followed.Nihang Sikhs are the one who maintained the lifestyle as was during the Sikh Gurus.Once again please note that though Sikhs have different lifestyle depending on their devotion and dedication to their Guru's teachings, there is no difference regarding the teachings or ideas presented by the Sikh Gurus about God and Life. Just one's way of living one's life.Regarding Khalsa in its truest sense is the state of mind, rather than external manifestation of certain dress code or practice. Only when there is true follwing of Guru teachings along with proper implementation in one's life that one can be called Khalsa,, which inturn comes from Persain word meaning Pure.Once the teaching are followed in right way inwardly, it automatically projects itself outwardly. Just as reflection can occur only when there is something real present. In the same way only when one has followed the Guru's teachings with devotion and dedication inwardly that it reflected automatically externally. Therefore, to think one can become or call himself/herself Khalsa just by Amrit or thinking would be very unwise. As Guru has instructed the step of Amrit Dhari also comes but it comes from within which reflect itself on the outside.So any Sikh can be Khalsa but it is not mere words but the implementation of Guru's teaching in one's Life.
Can you be a Sikh without joining the Khalsa?
A Sikh is defined as "any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being; ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Sri Guru Gobind Singh; the Sri Guru Granth Sahib; the utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru; and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion".Sikhs are usually of four types, please note that however their differences are not about their beliefs or spirituality but rather the differences are in their life style and how each Sikh is dedicated to his/her Guru's teaching.Amrit Dhari Sikhs are those who have been baptized, where Amrit means nectar and dhari means adopted. They live their lives following the 5 K's. Please refer to the following link for 5 K's. Amrit Dhari Sikhs follow a vegetarian diet unless circumstances arises and don't intoxicate them with alcohol or any drugs.Kesh Dhari Sikhs are the ones who keep their hairs but have not taken Amrit.They follow any kind of diet and drinks. The only thing is that they keep their hairs.Sahaj Dhari Sikhs are the ones who cut their hairs and shave them too, any kind of diet and drinks can be followed.Nihang Sikhs are the one who maintained the lifestyle as was during the Sikh Gurus.Once again please note that though Sikhs have different lifestyle depending on their devotion and dedication to their Guru's teachings, there is no difference regarding the teachings or ideas presented by the Sikh Gurus about God and Life. Just one's way of living one's life.Regarding Khalsa in its truest sense is the state of mind, rather than external manifestation of certain dress code or practice. Only when there is true follwing of Guru teachings along with proper implementation in one's life that one can be called Khalsa,, which inturn comes from Persain word meaning Pure.Once the teaching are followed in right way inwardly, it automatically projects itself outwardly. Just as reflection can occur only when there is something real present. In the same way only when one has followed the Guru's teachings with devotion and dedication inwardly that it reflected automatically externally. Therefore, to think one can become or call himself/herself Khalsa just by Amrit or thinking would be very unwise. As Guru has instructed the step of Amrit Dhari also comes but it comes from within which reflect itself on the outside.So any Sikh can be Khalsa but it is not mere words but the implementation of Guru's teaching in one's Life.
Why is Diwali so import to Sikhs?
The sixth Guru Hargobind Ji and the 52 Hindu kings were freed at this DayThe Muslim Emperor Jahengir approached Guru Hargobind Ji upon his entering Gwalior and told the Guru to denounce his Sikh religion and to join the Muslim faith. With the intention of utilizing the Guru's great strength and fearlessness needed in battles. Being outraged by this request, the Guru rejected his proposition.Jahengir imprisoned the Guru and 52 Kings.The Emperor ruled India at this time. The Asian Indians begged the Emperor to release the Guru and the Emperor agreed but the Gurus said also release the kings. Guru ji had a gown made with 52 string pieces for the Hindus to hold. The Guru and the Hindu kings were also freed at Diwali. Sikhs were very happy when their leader was released. Guru Hargobind Sahib went to the Golden Temple Amritsar in the Punjab. Sikh Diwali is recalled throughout India and in many countries; each year to remember Guru ji's releaseTo commemorate his undying love for Sikhism, the townspeople lit the way to, Harmandhir Sahib (referred to as the Golden Temple), in his honour.Martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh Ji- The martyrdom in 1734 of the elderly Sikh scholar and strategist Bhai Mani Singh, the Granthi (priest) of Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). He had refused to pay a special tax on a religious meeting of the Khalsa on the Divali day. This and other Sikh martyrdoms gave further momentum to the Khalsa struggle for freedom and eventually success in establishing the Khalsa rule north of DelhiBhai Mani Singh was a great scholar and he transcribed the final version of Guru Granth Sahib upon dictation from Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1704. He took charge of Harmandir Sahib's management on 1708. In 1737, he received permission from Mughal governor of Punjab, Zakarya Khan for celebrating Divali at Golden Temple for a massive tax of Rs. 5,000 (some authors say it was Rs 10,000). Invitations were sent to the Sikhs all over India to join Bandi Chhorh Diwas celebrations at Harmandir Sahib. Bhai Mani Singh thought he would collect the tax-money from the Sikhs as subscriptions who would assemble for the purpose of Divali Celebrations. But Bhai Mani Singh Ji later discovered the secret plan of Zakarya Khan to kill the Sikhs during the gathering. Bhai Mani Singh Ji immediately sent message to all the Sikhs not to turn up for celebrations. Bhai Mani Singh could not manage to arrange the money to be paid for tax. Zakariya Khan was not happy about the situation and he ordered Bhai Mani Singh's assassination at Lahore by ruthlessly cutting him limb-by-limb to death. Ever since, the great sacrifice & devotion of martyr Bhai Mani Singh Ji is remembered on the Bandi Chhorh Diwas (Diwali) celebration.Uprising against the Mughal Empire- "Sarbat Khalsa": The Sikh struggle for freedom from the oppressive Mughal regime, the festival of Divali did become the second most important day after the Baisakhi, when Khalsa was formally established by the Tenth Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. After the execution of Banda Bahadur in 1716, who had led the agrarian uprising in Punjab, the Sikhs started the tradition of deciding matters concerning the community at the biennial meetings which took place at Amritsar on the first of Baisakh and at Divali. These assemblies were known as the "Sarbat Khalsa" and a resolution passed by it became a "gurmata"
How and why do Sikhs pray?
Sikhism is a religion founded in the fifteenth century on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and ten successive Sikh Gurus (the last one being the sacred text Guru Granth Sahib Ji). This system of religious philosophy and expression has been traditionally known as the Gurmat (literally the council of the gurus). Sikhism originated from the word Sikh, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit root śiṣya meaning "disciple", or śikṣa meaning "instruction".The principal belief of Sikhism is faith and justice, in Waheguru-represented by the phrase ik ōaṅkār, meaning one God. Sikhism shows the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. The followers of Sikhism are ordained to follow the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus, or enlightened leaders, as well as the holy scripture entitled the Gurū Granth Sāhib Ji, which, along with the writings of six of the ten Sikh Gurus, includes selected works of many devotees from diverse socio-economic and religious backgrounds. The text was decreed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth guru, as the final guru of the Sikh religion. Sikhism's traditions and teachings are associated with the history, society and culture of Punjab. Adherents of Sikhism are known as Sikhs which means student.
What is the similarities between Sikhism and jainism?
Jainism and SikhismBoth Jainism and Sikhism have originated in South Asia and are Eastern philosophical faiths. Jainism, like Buddhism, rejected the authority (but not the values) of the Vedas and created independent textual traditions based on the words and examples of their early teachers, eventually evolving entirely new ways for interacting with the lay community. HistoryJainism is the oldest living Shramana tradition in India. In its current form, the Jain tradition is traced to Vardhamana Mahavira (The Great Hero; ca. 599-527 B.C.), the twenty-fourth and last of the Tirthankaras (Sanskrit for fordmakers). Mahavira was born to a ruling family in the town of Vaishali, located in the modern state of Bihar. The first Tirthankara was Lord Rishabha, who lived long before Mahavira. That makes Jainism one of the oldest religions. Next to the Bahá'í Faith, Sikhism is the youngest of the world's major monotheistic religions. Sikhism was established in 15th century in the state of Punjab in North India. Guru Nanak, although born into a Hindu household in 1469 in the Punjab region, he challenged the existing practices and is considered the founder of the new faith. The Guru loved to travel and observe concepts and ideas regarding spiritual practices of various faiths. At the heart of his message was a philosophy of universal love, devotion to God. By the time he had left this world he had founded a new religion of "disciples" (shiksha or Sikh) that followed his example.Lineage of teachersThe 24th Tirthankara of the Jain community was Vardhamana, the last in a series of 24 who lived in East India. Jains have 24 Tirthankaras, the Sikhs have 10 Gurus with the final Sovereign Authority of living Guru conferred upon Guru Granth Sahib by the tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh. PracticesDiwaliDiwali is celebrated by both. Although Sikhs celebrate the day as Bandhi Chhor Diwas, the homecoming to Amritsar of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru HarGobind Sahib from Gwalior. The release of 52 Rajas from the fort of Gwalior is attributed to this Guru. For Jains, Diwali is the celebrarion of the 24th Thirthankar, Mahavir, reaching Nirvana or Moksha on this day at Pavapuri on Oct. 15, 527 BC, on Chaturdashi of Karti.Ahimsa and vegetarianismThe Jains are strictly vegetarian. Sikhs are not strictly vegetarian, in that Sikh scriptures do not believe that solely abstaining from meat leads to greater spirituality. There are, however,some sects/cults of Sikhism (Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha etc) who encourage vegetarianism. The majority of Sikhs believe, eating meat is left up to the individual's conscience in Sikhism, as it will not affect spirituality. The food served in the Sikh temples (Gurudwaras) is invariably vegetarian in order to accommodate all sections of society. Ahimsa for the Jains is a code of practice to always be kind and compassionate and prevent hurt to oneself and others. Compassion and seeking the highest good for all, Sarbat Da Bhala, in the Will of God, is paramount for a Sikh.There are occasional references to Jainism in the Guru Granth Sahib and other Sikh texts.AsceticismSikhism does not promote asceticism - The Gurus lived as householders. However the members of the Udasi order founded by Shrichand, the son of the first Guru Nanak practice asceticism. Jains have an organised ascetic order of monks and nuns. The lay people are householders. Other practicesA Sikh is bound to the Truth at all times and practices god Consciousness through Nam Simran and selfless service (Sewa). Jains too place high regard in prayers and meditation. Sikhs reject the Caste System and promote social and gender equality as the soul is the same for both men and women. All are equal in the eyes of God. God is accessible without priests or a middle person. Sikhs and Jains, like Hindus, are expected to be tolerant of all faiths and do not believe that any one path has a monopoly on the Truth. There are many paths to seek out the Love of God and incur Divine Grace. In fact to call another's path inferior is sign of ignorance and intolerance. Both, personal devotion and communal prayers are a part of Sikh's way of life.Concept of GodJains do not believe in the concept of a Godhead responsible for the manifestation of the Creation. They believe the universe is eternal, without beginning or end, and that all happens in an autonomous fashion with no necessity of a co-ordinator/God. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion, believing in the singular power of the Formless Creator God, Ik Onkaar, without a parallel. In the Guru Granth Sahib, God is called by all the Hindu names and as Allah as well.CustomsDuring the 18th century, there were a number of attempts to prepare an accurate portrayal of Sikh customs. Sikh scholars and theologians started in 1931 to prepare the Reht Maryada -- the Sikh code of conduct and conventions. This has successfully achieved a high level of uniformity in the religious and social practices of Sikhism throughout the world. It contains 27 articles. Article 1 defines who is a Sikh:" Any human being who faithfully believes in: One Immortal Being,Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh,The Guru Granth Sahib,The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh."Fasting is an accepted practice for the Jains. A Sikh will eat to partially satisfy the hunger at all times.Where the Guru Granth Sahib is present, that place becomes a Gurdwara. The focal point of worship in a Gurdwara (the gateway to God) is the eternal teachings of Guru Granth Sahib -the Shabad (Word) Guru.Jains exhibit the statues of their Tirathankars in their temples. Special shrines in residences or in public temples include images of the Tirthankaras, who are not worshiped but remembered and revered; other shrines house images of deities who are more properly invoked to intercede with worldly problems. Daily rituals may include meditation and bathing; bathing the images; offering food, flowers, and lighted lamps for the images; and reciting mantras in Ardhamagadhi, an ancient language of northeast India related to Sanskrit.Jainism express non violence in thought, word and action. Sikhism seeks peace; when all other means have been exhausted then they find it justifiable to draw the sword against oppression and injustice. Jains believe a peaceful way can always be found, perhaps sometimes after tremendous effort. War or violence against humans or animals is never justified.Karma and salvationBoth Jains and Sikhs believe in the Karma Theory and re-incarnation of the soul. Salvation for a Sikh is attained through the Divine Grace and Will of Waheguru (God) and through good deeds in one's life and the selfless service of Sewa and charity. Jains too believe in personal effort and aims and do not depend on a heavenly being for assistance. Both believe in the conquest of the mind through control of the passions through the five senses as the path to ending the cycle of sufferance of birth and death.
