Sikhism

The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was born in 1469 in Punjab, India. However, one might say that Sikhism itself began in 1507, succeeding Nanak's epiphany and the start of his Guruship.

ANS-2: The seed of Sikhism was soed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and SIKHISM started from the day GURU NANAK started preaching.

Part of Sikhism is the teaching of Khālsā - a Saint-Warrior (truely a holy Soul & ninja both at the same time.) A Sikh who has been initiated into the Khalsa is titled a Singh (males)/Kaur (females) or Amritdhari, as opposed to Sahajdhari the non-baptized Sikhs who believe in all the tenets of Sikhism and the teaching of the Sikh Gurus and hence the Guru Granth Sahib.

The basic code of conduct (Rehat Maryada) issued by the Khalsa is :

1. Not to disturb the natural growth of the hairs.
2. Not to commit adultery (sexual intercourse outside the marriage).
3. Not to eat sacrificial-meat (meat prepared in the ritualistic way e.g. "halal", "Kosher", "Hindu Sacrificial meat though the animal is slaughtered in one blow") .
4. Not to consume any kind of intoxicants e.g. Tobacco, Opium, Alcohol, Ganja etc.

Abstaining from consuming milk is NOT part of Khalsa and thus not part of Sikhism.

It is possible that there has been some confusion in the Western world about Sikh beliefs because the portions of the world with many Sikhs also have many Hindus. Hindus advocate the practice of ahiṃsā (non-violence) and respect for all life because divinity is believed to permeate all beings, including plants and non-human animals. In accordance with ahiṃsā, many Hindus are vegetarian to respect higher forms of life. Some vegetarians avoid all animal products, while others are lactovegetarians - meaning they avoid meats and eggs but drink milk. Note that The cow in Hindu society is traditionally identified as a caretaker and a maternal figure, and Hindu society honours the cow as a symbol of unselfish giving. Cows thus have a special status in Hindu culture, thus raising questions about whether they would drink milk. The cow does NOT have special status in Sikh culture beyond that afforded to all living things.

Baisakhi, celebrated with joyous music and dancing, is New Year's Day in Punjab. It falls on April 13, though once in 36 years it occurs on 14th April. It was on this day that the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa (the Sikh brotherhood) in 1699. The Sikhs, therefore, celebrate this festival as a collective birthday.

Sikhs visits gurdwaras (Sikh temples) and listen to kirtans (religious songs) and discourses. After the prayer, kada prasad (sweetened semolina) is served to the congregation. The function ends with langar, the community lunch served by volunteers. With no particular religious nuance, Hindus and Sikhs celebrate in a community sort of way - folk dances, music and a feeling of camaraderie underline these celebrations.

Processions are taken out, at the head of which are the panj piaras. Mock duels and bands playing religious tunes are part of the processions. Schoolchildren also enthusiatically take part in them.

For people in villages this festival is a last opportunity for relaxing before they start harvesting of corn. Processions and feasting follow readings of the holy scripture of the Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib.

It is a day of celebration, particularly in the rural farming areas where the farmer rejoices at the sight of the fruits of his labour - the harvested crop. After 6 to 8 months of hard toil in the fields, this is the day any farmer would look forward to.

At home, the Punjabi prepares sweet dishes with the new grain to signify not only the harvest of new crops but also to celebrate the self-sufficiency, plenty and prosperity. The grain harvested is sweet - ripened as it is by the warm, bright summer, after three months of bleak, cold winters. So Baisakhi also heralds the arrival of summer and the time to bid a final farewell to winter.

Though mainly celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab and Haryana, Punjabis all over India observe this day of celebration. Local Punjabi associations in major Indian cities outside Punjab and Haryana, organise dinners with music and folk dances and provide an opportunity to members to renew their sentiments towards Punjab and all that it stands for.

The double edge sword is called a Khanda

The sword is used to stir the immortalizing nectar of Amrit given to initiates to drink in the Sikh baptism ceremony.

The Khanda is a Sikh symbol representative of the Sikhs martial history and is displayed proudly by Sikhs in a variety of ways:

· Adorning the nishan sahib, the Sikh flag.

· Decorative ramalas draping the Guru Granth Sahib.

· As a pin worn on the turban.

· Appliquéd and embroidered on clothing.

· In poster form and artwork on wall.

· Computer graphics and wallpaper.

· Accompanying articles in print.

· On banners and on floats in parades.

Sikhs believe God has always existed. They call God many names:

1. Truth - Sat
2. Akaal Moorat - Beyond Space and Time
3. Self Existance - Ajooni Saibang
4. God is genederless
5. God is without rancour, hatred or malice.
6. God is not vengful
7. There is only one God.
8. God resides within every human being.