Sikhism

Jewish answer:

I'll let the others speak for themselves. As for Judaism, it did not grow out of Hinduism. The two religions were geographically very far apart and had little or no contact. Also, Judaism is completely different from Hinduism.

Concerning Buddhism and Sikhism:

Both Buddhism and Sikhism are often considered Dharmic Faiths, along with Hinduism, as opposed to Abrahamic Faiths because they deal with a different pantheon and emphasis of worship than do the Abrahamic Faiths. As a result, unlike the Abrahamic Faiths which seem to build on one another (i.e. Judaism is Abrahamic 1.0, Christianity is Abrahamic 2.0, and Islam is Abrahamic 3.0), the Dharmic faiths are based on analyses and questions of each other.

The Buddha (Siddharta Gautama) and the First Sikh Guru (Nanak) were both born as Hindus, but they questioned their upbringings and meditated to achieve forms of enlightenment. For the Buddha, he was to find that the world is imperfect and unsatisfactory and therefore must be shed to achieve enlightenment. This is epitomized by his famous quote: "All life is suffering." For the Guru Nanak it was the revelation that all humans were of the same spiritual nature regardless of what faith they followed. This is epitomized by his famous quote: "There is no Hindu; there is no Muslim."

Buddhism and Sikhism did not carry with them the Hindu holy texts, like the Vedas or the Upanishads. They also were far more concentrated on meditation and mysticism than Hinduism which is more about spiritual rites. So, while it is fair to say that they owe Hinduism for some theological concepts and ideals, they did not directly succeed or "grow out of" Hinduism.

Items which should NOT be worn in the Sikh worship room are:

• Skirts

• Shoes

• Socks (as they are like shoes as they carry dirt)

The item which MUST be worn is something that covers your head to show a sign of respect.

Sikhs are not supposed to cut their hairs, both males and females. For Sikh women or generally speaking, women have long hairs and they do tie them at their nape or even can make a pony tail etc. For Sikh men as they do have long hairs too, they tie their hairs at the center of the hear and tie a turban. Also, Sikh Gurus themselves had turbans on as do the old traditions in India.

Please Note: Not all Sikhs keep their hair, some cut them too depending on their thinking, circumstances, environment, etc. Also, some Sikh women also put turban depending on their choice and thinking.

ANS-2:

The dastaar, as the Sikh turban is known, is an article of faith that has been made mandatory by the founders of Sikhism. It is not to be regarded as mere cultural paraphernalia.

When a Sikh man or woman dons a turban, the turban ceases to be just a piece of cloth and becomes one and the same with the Sikh's head. The turbans as well as the other articles of faith worn by Sikhs have an immense spiritual as well as temporal significance. The symbolism of wearing a turban are many from it being regarded as a symbol of sovereignty, dedication, self-respect, courage and piety but the reason all practicing Sikhs wear the turban is just one - out of love and obedience of the wishes of the founders of their faith.

The turban's importance can be found in just about every culture and religion, starting with the ancient Babylonians to western religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as eastern traditions. The Old Testament proclaims, "Once they enter the gates of the court", implying God's court, "they are to wear linen vestments. They shall wear linen turban."

Elsewhere in the Old Testament, the significance of the turban is further highlighted:

He put the turban upon his head and set the gold rosette as symbol of holy dedication on the front of the turban as the Lord had commanded him. Moses then took the anointing oil, anointed the Tabernacle, and all that was within it and consecrated it. (Leviticus 8,9)

Set the turban on his head and the symbol of holy dedication on the turban. Take the anointing oil, pour it on his head and anoint him. (Exodus 29-6)

The turban, since ancient times, has been of significant import in the Punjab, the land of the five rivers and the birthplace of Sikhism. There was a time when only kings, royalty, and those of high stature wore turbans. Two people would trade their turbans to show love or friendship towards each other.

At the time of Sikhism's birth, the majority of people in India, and even today, comprised the lower castes, mainly composed of peasants, laborers and servants. Many were literally owned by the upper castes and were severely maltreated. The Sikh Gurus (prophets/teachers) sought to uplift the downtrodden and make them the equals of the highest of the high. Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith, states in his divine revelation:

Nanak seeks the company of the lowest of the low class, the very lowest of the low. Why should he try to compete with the great? Where the lowly are cared for, there lies the Grace of the Merciful Bestower.

The Sikh Gurus sought to end all caste distinctions and vehemently opposed stratification of society by any means. They diligently worked to create an egalitarian society dedicated to justice and equality. The turban is certainly a gift of love from the founders of the Sikh religion and is symbolic of sovereignty that is of Divine concession. According to Sirdar Kapur Singh, a Sikh theologian and statesman, "When asked by Captain Murray, the British Charge-de-affairs at Ludhiana in about 1830, for the captain's gallant mind was then wholly preoccupied with the Doctrine of Legitimacy, recently evolved or rediscovered by European statesmen at the Congress at Vienna, as to from what source the Sikhs derived their claim to earthly sovereignty, for the rights of treaty or lawful succession they had none; Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu [a Sikh historian], replied promptly, 'The Sikhs' right to earthly sovereignty is based on the Will of God as authenticated by the Guru, and therefore, other inferior sanctions are unnecessary.'" (Parasaraprasna, by Kapur Singh, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 1989, p. 130-131.)

The turban has been an integral part of the Sikh Tradition since the time of Guru Nanak Dev. Historical accounts relay to us that all Sikh Gurus wore turbans and their followers --Sikhs-- have been wearing them since the formation of the faith.

The turban serves as a mark of commitment to the Sikh Gurus. It distinguishes a Sikh as an instrument of the Guru and decrees accountability for certain spiritual and temporal duties. It is a mark of the Guru and declares that the Sikh wearing a turban is a servant of the Divine Presence.

Wearing the turban gives much inner strength as well. Sikhs take this gift of the Guru with them everywhere they go. Just by being exposed to this regal quality, their attitudes and psyche get shaped in a certain way. At the same time, there is a great deal of responsibility accompanied by the turban. A person's actions are no longer just tied to him or her. Since Sikhs who wear the turban represent the Guru, their actions too reflect on the Guru and the Sikh Nation. In this sense, the turban serves to increase a Sikh's commitment to Sikhism and lends to him or her becoming a more disciplined and virtuous person.

The turban certainly deepens the connection between the Sikh and the Guru. The turban proclaims the followers of Guru Nanak as Sikhs but at the same time, it is not what makes them Sikhs. Prophet Mohammed in one of his hadiths states that the turban is a frontier between faith and unbelief. This aptly describes the significance of the turban for a Sikh as well. It is a true mark of sovereignty and a crown.

Due to its distinguishable nature, the turban has often been a target during times of persecution. There have been times in the relatively short history of the Sikh nation that if one wore a turban, it was reason enough for his or head to be cut off by the tyrannical regimes of the time. The collective response of the Sikh Nation was "You may take off my head but not my turban." When many discarded their turbans, those that proudly adorned them in those times, even though it meant certain death, fully appreciated its significance. After all, it is in times of adversity that faith is tested and one must prove true to core values.

By adorning their turbans, Sikhs serve as ambassadors of the Sikh faith and commit externally to following the path laid down by the Sikh Gurus. True submission, of course, occurs internally.

The next time you see a Sikh, greet him or her and know that the turban you see is the same turban and stood up against oppression against those identified as lower castes in India, tyranny in WWI, the Nazi empire in WWII. As Sikhs tie their turbans each day, they should be heedful that it represents a very real commitment to the founders of the Sikh faith. The turban is deeply intertwined with the Sikh identity and is a manifestation of the mission given to all Sikhs - to act as a divine prince or princess by standing firm against tyranny and protecting the downtrodden.
We wear turbans to respect

Summary of what is written below: Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (first Sikh guru) was born on April 15th 1469.

Guru Nanak Sahib (the First Nanak, the founder of Sikhism) was born on 15th April, 1469 at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present distrect of Shekhupura (Pakistan), now Nanakana Sahib. The Birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib is celebrated on 15th Kartik Puranmashii.e. full moon day of the month Kartik. On this day the Birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib is celebrated every year. (But some other chronicals state that Guru Nanak Sahib was born on 20th October,1469) Guru Nanak's father, Mehta Kalyan Das, more popularly known as Mehta Kalu was the agent and Chief Accountant of Rai Bular. Guru Nanak 's mother was Mata Tripta, a simple, pious and extremely religious woman. Nanak had an elder sister, Nanki, who always cherished her younger brother.

Famous Gurdwaras in India

Famous Gurdwaras in India: Poanta Sahib, Hemkund Saheb, Gurdwara Sis Ganj Harmindir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar

Most Sacred Pilgrimage Sites of Sikhs: Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

INFORMATIONS OF INDIAN GURDWARAS

BIHAR

• Harmandir Takth

DELHI

• Gurdwara Bangla Sahib
• Gurdwara Sis Ganj
• Gurdwara Nanak Piao

• Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tila
• Gurdwara Rakab Ganj

HIMACHAL PRADESH

• Manikaran

• Poanta Sahib

JAMMU AND KASHMIR

• Gurdwara Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

• Nangli Sahib Gurdwara

KARNATAKA

• Nanak Jhera

MAHARASHTRA

• Dashmesh Darbar
• Guru Nanak Darbar
• Ganesh Peth Gurdwara
• Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha
• Jai Jawan Nagar Gurdwara

• Nagpur Chawl Gurdwara
• Ramgodia Shivajinagar Gurdwara
• Sapras Gurdwara
• Takht Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib

TAMIL NADU

• Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha

UTTARANCHAL

• Hemkund Saheb

The Sikh faith believes in equality.

The concept of praying together symbolizes a sense of gender equality, which Sikhism is highly in favour for.

Both Sikhs and Hindus celebrate the festival Diwali .. (festival of lights)

Sikhs celebrate to mark the return of the sixth guru GURU HARGOBIND SINGH JI, after being freed from imprisonment.

Hindus celebrate to mark the return of Rama after 14 years in exile ....