Sikhism

Wareguru jee kee Khalsa, Wareguru jee kee Fatah.

A gurudwara is a holy place to pray in for Sikhs. A gurudwara is just like a church or temple.

ANS#2:

Gurudwara is a place of worship, a temple of Sikhs, the followers of Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism, the main feature of Gurdwara is to sing/listen the praises of Lord God and true Guru in association with the true congregation of devotee worshipers and recite the scripture contained in Guru Granth Sahib and hence learn the teachings of true Guru for implementation in real life of course.

गुर दुआरै हरि कीरतनु सुणीऐ ॥

All the Guru's door one hears the God's praise.

सतिगुरु भेटि हरि जसु मुखि भणीऐ ॥

Meeting with the True Guru, one utters the Lord's praise with honour in the Lord's court.

कलि कलेस मिटाए सतिगुरु हरि दरगह देवै मानां हे ॥४॥

Sorrows and strifes the True Guru effaces and blesses with honour in the Lord's court.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Raag Maaroo 1075

Besides above Gurdwara is used for,

1. Learning Punjabi,

2,Learning Tabla and Keertan,

3. Learning recitation of scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib and other scriptures of 10th Guru and Bhai Gurdassji.

4. taking coaching of meaning of the scriptures.

5. Religious books library and

6. Free medical care clinic.etc etc.

Except above Gurudwara is a place where the pupils/disciples/followers Sikhs are baptized, hence given the unique identification of a baptized(Amritdhari) Sikh. Here it is necessary to mention that we may have faith in Sikhism, but the true Guru gives more importance to baptized Sikhs and guides spiritually to His disciples. This is just like the enrollment in some institution and only then that institution issues their I. Card. After baptism all religious practice of a Sikh, like chanting name singing praises etc are suitably accounted for with the Lord God and true Guru.

As a public place Gurudwara is of great importance like meetings for religious resolutions. arranging Guru festivals of Their births and uniting with Lord God days.

Langer Hall is there for having lunch or brunch. Personal functions can also be arranged there being economic.

Another great importance of Gurdwara is marriage ceremony in way of Sikh custom.

In short a Gurudwara is like the temples of other religions. Temples are like concrete banks on a river facilitating safe baths, where one can worship without disturbance with other similar devotee worshipers.

तितु जाइ बहहु सतसंगती जिथै हरि का हरि नामु बिलोईऐ ॥

Go and sit in the society of saints where Lord God's Name is churned (meditated upon).

सहजे ही हरि नामु लेहु हरि ततु न खोईऐ ॥

Remember thou the God's Name with composure, that thou mayest not lose God, the Essence.

नित जपिअहु हरि हरि दिनसु राति हरि दरगह ढोईऐ ॥

Day and night repeat ever repeats God's Name, that thou myest find protection in God's court.

सो पाए पूरा सतगुरू जिसु धुरि मसतकि लिलाटि लिखोईऐ ॥

He alone obtains the perfect True Guru, on whose forehead and brow such a writ is written since the very beginning.

तिसु गुर कंउ सभि नमसकारु करहु जिनि हरि की हरि गाल गलोईऐ ॥४॥

Let us all pay homage to that Guru who utters the Divine sermon of the Lord.

Guru Amar Daas Ji, Raag Vadhans 587

The Khalsa was started in 1699 by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. At a time of turmoil when the mughals were killing innocent civilians for refusing to convert to Islam Guru Gobind Singh created a new race which would stand up for people of all races, colors, class etc. on vaisakhi 1699 Guru Gobind Singh called his fellow Sikhs to Anandpur. Where he addressed the thousands of people. With a unsheathed sword he called for a head. he called 3 times before one person came forward and said that he was willing to die for his faith. The school book description is that Guru Gobind Singh took him into a tent and everyoneheard a bang then Guru Gobin Singh Came out of the tent with a sword dripping with blood. He called for 4 more heads. 4 more devotees came foard and went into the tent. There names were:

• Dharam Singh
• Himmat Singh
• Daya Singh
• Mohokam Singh
• Sahib Singh

After the guru came out of the tent for the final time the 5 Sikhs followed him out. Dressed in blue attire and Guru Gobind told the crowds of people that this was the uniform of the Sikh's and everyone would be able to dstinguish a Sikh just by looking at his appearance. that is where the guru gave the Sikhs the 5k's. from that day he called every initiated Sikh a khalsa. the khalsa is the army of god and is as of yet undefeated

It is the nature of some beliefs to require criticism of other beliefs as false or evil. Sikhism is no different; many adherents of it, just as in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Shintoism, Daoism, etc will do the same, simply because that practise is not theirs.

ANS#2:

If Sikhism says that there are different paths to God, and everyone has the right to practice their own religion, why do Sikhs criticize practices that may be done in other religions?

A: Sikhi does accept that:

1. Holy books are not false: Gurbani tells us: : "Do not say that the Vedas, the Bible and the Koran are false. Those who do not contemplate them are false." (SGGS p1350) It is accepted that the various religious Holy books are not false but that does not mean that the adherents are following the Holy text faithfully. It is clear that in most religions, most devotees are not keeping to their faiths properly.

2. Different paths: The Guru also tells us: "Where have the Hindus and Muslims come from? Who put them on their different paths? Think of this, and contemplate it within your mind....(1)" (SGGS p477)

So it is accepted that God intended for there to be different paths for human salvation, HOWEVER, the Guru has also criticized some of the practices followed by the devotees such as:

3. Fasting & other rituals: : "Fasting, daily rituals, and austere self-discipline - those who keep the practice of these, are rewarded with less than a shell." (SGGS p216)

4. Ceremonial Marks: : "Around your neck is a rosary, and on your forehead is a sacred mark; upon your head is a turban, and you wear two loin cloths. If you knew the nature of God, you would know that all of these beliefs and rituals are in vain."(SGGS p470)

It is clear that the Gurus do not accept that rituals like fasting, circumcision, shaving the head, ceremonial marks, etc will please God even a little bit and so these rituals have always been criticized. The discrimination against women; against lower castes, etc have always been objected to by the Gurus. So when the Sikhs criticize these practices, it because they are unfair EVEN in the original religion but the followers are ignoring the truth of their own religion.

So called Muslims blowing up innocent children; Jews or Muslims killing masses indiscriminately - Is this preached by their faith leaders - Surely not. So the Sikhs will speak against such things. The same applies to Sikhs who do honour killing, bomb air-planes for the creation of Khalistan; etc - The indiscriminate killing of innocent people and the suppression of their right to life and peaceful existence are evils and they that have to be strongly discouraged and stopped wherever possible.

No God-loving person should stand for such stupidity and evil deeds - The Sikh Gurus spoke loudly against these evils and their words are preserved for all to read. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for some of the other religions - their holy text is old and sometimes not well preserved in its entirety.

Sikhism accepts and respects other religions, it does not always accept the practices of the devotees especially ones which have no spiritual or other merit in life.

there are actually 11 Gurus:

Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Guru Angad Dev Ji

Guru Amar Das Ji

Guru Ram Das Ji

Guru Arjun Dev Ji

Guru Hargobind Singh Ji

Guru Har Rai Ji

Guru Harkrishan Ji

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

Guru Gobind Singh Ji

and our present guru ... Guru Granth Sahib Ji !!

:D

It depends on what language you want it in, so I'll give it to you in both Hindi and Punjabi (though Punjabi is what Sikhs speak more):

Hindi: SHUK-RI-YA

Punjabi: DHAN-I-WAD

The Khanda constitutes three symbols in one. However, the name is derived from the central symbol, Khanda, a special type of double-edged sword which confirms the Sikhs' belief in One God.

- The double-edged sword is the creative power of God which controls the destiny of the whole creation. It is sovereign power over life and death.

- The right edge of the double-edged sword symbolizes freedom and authority governed by moral and spiritual values.

- The left edge of the double-edged sword symbolizes divine justice which chastises and punishes the wicked oppressors.

- On the left side is the sword of spiritual sovereignty, Piri; on the right side is the sword of political sovereignty, Miri.

There must always be a balance between the two and this balance is emphasized by a inside circle. The circle is what is called the Chakra. This is a symbol of all-embracing divine manifestation including everything and wanting nothing, without beginning or end, neither first or last, timeless, and absolute. It is the symbol of oneness, unity, justice, humanity and morality. The Chakra was also used by the Sikhs as one of the war weapons against injustice and oppression. Almost all Sikh warriors used to wear it in the eighteenth century.