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Sikhism
Sikhism is the fifth largest religion practiced in the world today. Sikhs worship one universal God, and practice disciplined meditation in the name of God.
2,320 Questions
Why is the golden temple holy to the Sikhs?
Golden Temple as it is known popularly is important to Sikhs as it is the first Gurudwara(Sikh place of worship) to be built, also it was in Golden Temple that for the first time Guru Arjan Dev Ji installed Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the year 1604 A.D.Further more, at Golden Temple there is continuous kirtan (Singing of Hymns) everyday.Also, from here the Sikh's cultural tradition also moved on. Therefore, Sikhs visit Golden Temple.
Please note there is no religious importance to it as anyplace in the world where Guru Granth Sahib Ji is that is equally important as well, and as a religion Sikhism don't have any Holidays or Holy place but as mentioned above since Golden Temple happens to hold historic and cultural importance to itself, Sikhs visit it.
Also, Sikhs in themselves refer Golden Temple as Harmandir Sahib that's what the actual name is.
What did Guru Nanak start to show that everyone is equal?
Guru Nanak gave a bunch of people a bar of chocolate containing six slabs to share between 150 people. He then stated "you are all equal, and so is that chocolate. If you are wise enough you will split it equally so you all get a fair amount. You are all the same but different aswell. No one should be selfish nor timid, take your share and it only can be fair." All of the 150 people took their bit of chocolate and ate it. Guru then said " you may still be hungry but that should fill every ones needs".
What is the Sikh view of poverty?
A Sikh should perform Sewa (Selfless Service) wherever he/she can do it, donate Dasvandh (one tenth of what he/she earns). As for the view on poverty as, there are two things, first that together we can certainly solve it and also since Sikhism believes in Karma, the situations for each individual also depends on the actions (karma) he or she does.
Why did Nanak make a religion?
Guru Nanak was forced into Hinduism which he didnt believe in he was then spoke to by god and believed he could make a difference in life and discovered a path between to religions to form another (Sikhism)
Do Sikhs use any special items while they are praying?
No, we don't. Though when Sikhs meet at their place of worship (the Gurudwara; meaning Guru's House), and pray to the Holy Book; the Guru Granth Sahib. There they do follow certain ways but other than that one can pray any time, any place.
Wareguru jee kee Khalsa, Wareguru jee kee Fatah.
To become a Khalsa a person must take Amrit and by doing that he/she should follow the rules of the Guru Granth Sahib.When do Sikhs go to the Amritsar?
There is no fixed time to go to Gurudwara (Sikh place of worship).Any time and any day is good to visit Gurudwara. A Sikh is supposed to visit the Gurudwara twice a day. In the morning and in the evening.
How did religion influence Guru Nanak?
He was inspired by a powerful spiritual experience that gave him a vision of the true nature of God, and confirmed his idea that the way to spiritual growth was through meditation and through living in a way that reflected the presence of the divine within each human being.
Why is the guru granth sahib sacred to Sikh's?
The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is so sacred to Sikhs as it has the Ten Gurus' commandments and thoughts in it. Addition: Guru Granth Sahib Ji contains the actual spoken words by the Sikh Gurus and thus those Words themselves are now the Guru of Sikhs. Furthermore, Sikhs consider Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the Living Embodiment of Guru for the same reason.
Sikhism as such does not have braches. There are whats know as the Tat Khalsa, or those that follow the Sikh Rehat Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) as sanctioned by the Akal Takht (Sikh body responsible for Temporal affaires), and the SGPC (the Sikh body that looks after Sikh Gurdwara's).
There are variations on this by other Sikh groups such as
1) Dam Dami Taksal
2) Raroanwale
3) Akhanf Kirtani Jatha etc
What are all the Sikh holidays?
As a religion Sikhism don't have any holiday or any holy place, therefore no day is more special that other. However, Sikhs celebrate the birthdays of Sikh Gurus and other important event in Sikh history every year.
How is a Gurdwara different to a church?
Not only Hindu temple and a Sikh gurdwara are rather all the religious places where people gather to remember the supreme power or discuss issues regarding welfare of mankind or spread knowledge for the welfare of others with a selfless spirit are similar as they all are the sources of welfare and selfless services.
A temple or gurdwara is basically a name given to the place where people get together and have their peace of mind. So all the places meeting these conditions are religious places and are thus similar.
What animal are most sacred to Sikhism?
although the early hindus ate beef they ultimately began to see the cow as a sacred and holy animal
Do you have a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib?
No, I don't but most people from the Sikhism religion do.
Is Ramgarhia Sikh included in OBC category at present time?
yes , In utter pradesh ramgarhia Sikh included in obc category in 1997 .
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
What direction do Sikh do prayers in Canada?
God is everywhere, this what Sikhs believe. so Sikhs can worship in any direction in any country
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
Why is the Sikh symbol important it them?
symbols in Sikhism are very important because they show the meaning of our religion.
There are different rooms in the gurdwara. If it to be classed as a gurdwara it must contain a langer hall and a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib. Most Gurdwaras also contain a School Room to teach young Sikhs teachings and basic subjects, a kitchen to prepare food to be served in the langer hall. A shoe room to leave shoes in as they are not allowed in the gurdwara to show respect to the guru. A rest room is also included and several toilets.
Hope this helps!
There are various schools of thought as far as the answer to this question is concerned. According to the most liberal school of thought, a Sikh boy or a girl can marry a member of the opposite sex belonging to any faith/religion.
According to an extremist school of thought, a Sikh boy or a girl must marry a member of the opposite sex belonging to the same faith/religion.
Some Sikhs are also so strict that they say a Sikh boy or girl must marry some one of the opposite sex belonging to the same faith/religion and caste. Although other Sikhs don't believe in caste.
