Sikhism

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.

I read somewhere Sikhs pray 5 times a day. I did not know this as I am a Sikh myself and I thought there were 2 main prayers, Morning and evening. Can someone shed some light on this, thank you.

Sikhs are to go to Gurudwara two times a day, in the morning and in the evening. For prayers, there is nitnem which is that, Sikh would read and contemplate on five banis in the morning, one in the evening and one before bedtime.

So there are three times when a Sikh would pray in a day. But as you said depending on how much one can put his/her effort one can do two times a day too.

Again, like most other things religion is optional. If religion is optional then so are prayers. There are different types of Sikhs: the everyday Sikhs that look like you and me (cut their hair, eat meat and maybe don't pray much) and then on the other hand there are Amritdhari Sikhs. In word an Amritdhari Sikhs would be referred to as "baptised" Sikhs.

These Sikhs are required to do there 5 banis (5 morning prayers) every morning, Rehras Sahib in the afternoon and then Soheila Sahib also know as Kirtan Soheila in the evening (bedtime prayer). These type of Sikhs are also required to do Ardaas after every prayer. Ardaas is simple way of thanking god for all that he has given you, for making a wish and remembering those who sacrificed their lives long ago.

Now going back to the other types of Sikhs, some may follow this commitment and others may not. Nothing is forcefully done in the Sikh faith as everything is optional; however, in the Sikh holy scriptures it is implied many times that a Sikh is to be an Amritdhari Sikh.

The sections below give more details of the underlying message of this faith. It is easiest to discuss the topic if the details are divided into the following sections:

1. Equality: All humans are equal before God - No discrimination is allowed on the basis of caste, race, gender, creed, origin, color, education, status, wealth, et cetera. The principles of universal equality and brotherhood are important pillars of Sikhism.
2. Personal right: Every person has a right to life but this right is restricted and has attached certain duties - simple living is essential. A Sikh is expected to rise early, meditate and pray, consume simple food, perform an honest day's work, carry out duties for his or her family, enjoy life and always be positive, be charitable and support the needy, et cetera.
3. Actions count: Salvation is obtained by one's actions - good deeds, remembrance of God - Naam Simran, Kirtan.
4. Living a family life: Encouraged to live as a family unit to provide and nurture children for the perpetual benefit of creation. (as opposed to living as a wild hermit, which was, and remains, a common spiritual practice in India.)
5. Sharing: It is encouraged to share and give to charity 10 percent of one's net earnings.
6. Accept God's will: Develop your personality so that you recognise happy event and miserable events as one - the will of God causes them.
7. The four fruits of life: Truth, contentment, contemplation and Naam, (in the name of God).

1. Non-logical behavior: Superstitions, or rituals which have no meaning, such as pilgrimages, fasting and bathing in rivers, gambling, worship of graves, idols or pictures, and compulsory wearing of the veil for women, are prohibited.
2. Material obsession: ("Maya") Accumulation of materials has no meaning in Sikhism. Wealth such as gold, portfolio, stocks, commodities, properties, et cetera, will all be left here on Earth when you depart. Do not get attached to them.
3. Sacrifice of creatures: Sati - Widows throwing themselves in the funeral pyre of their husbands, the act of slaughtering lambs and calves to celebrate holy occasions
4. Non-family oriented living: A Sikh is encouraged not to live as a recluse, beggar, monk, Nun, celibate, or in any similar vein.
5. Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip, and lying are not permitted.
6. Intoxication: The consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or other intoxicants is prohibited.
7. No priestly class: Sikhs do not have to depend on a priest for any of the functions that need to be performed.
8. Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner: Sikhs are strictly prohibited from eating meat killed in a religious manner (such as halal or kosher meat), or any meat during the langar.[1] In some Sikh groups, eating any meat is believed to be forbidden, but this is not a universally held belief.[2]

1. Naam: Meditate upon God's name (Waheguru in the Sikh religion) through verba the mind is stilled and cleansed in order to become one with God. The technique taught by the Guru Granth Sahib is "Urd Uhrd". This means to inhale with the "Wahe" syllable and exhale on the "Guru" syllable. This is the most important part of the religion.
2. Kirat Karni: - Earning an honest living while remembering the Lord.
3. Wand kay Shakna: - Share with others who are deserving, as during langar

1. Reincarnation, karma and salvation: - Every creature has a soul. Upon death, the soul is passed from one body to another until liberation[citation needed]. The journey of the soul is governed by the deeds and actions that we perform during our lives.
2. Remember God: Love God, but have fear of Him as well. Only by keeping the Creator in your mind at all times will you make progress in your spiritual evolution.
3. Humanity (brotherhood): All human beings are equal. We are sons and daughters of Waheguru, the Almighty.
4. Uphold moral values: Defend, protect and fight for the rights of all creatures, in particular your fellow human beings.
5. Personal sacrifice: Be prepared to give your life for all supreme principles. See the life of Guru Teg Bahadur.
6. Many paths lead to God: - Sikhs are not special; they are not the chosen people of God. Simply calling yourself a Sikh does not bring you salvation. Members of all religions have the same right to liberty as Sikhs.
7. Positive attitude toward life: "Chardi Kala" - Always have a positive, optimistic and buoyant view of life. God is there - He will be your help.
8. Disciplined life: Upon baptism, a Sikh must wear the 5Ks and perform strict recital of the five prayers Banis.[citation needed]
9. No special worship days: Sikhs do not believe that any particular day is holier than any other.
10. Conquer the five thieves: It is every Sikh's duty to defeat these five thieves: Pride (a'Hankar), Anger (Kr'odh), Greed (Lob'H), Attachment (Mo'H), and Lust (K'haam). Known collectively as P.A.G.A.L.
11. Attack with Five Weapons: Contentment (Santokh), Charity (Dan), Kindness (Daya ), Positive Energy (Chardi Kala), Humility (Nimarta).
12. Having premarital sexual or extramarital relations:Sikhs are encouraged to be faithful to their spouse. All forms of adultery are discouraged. [3]
13. Not son of God: The Gurus were not, in the Christian sense, "Sons of God". Sikhism says we are all God's children.
14. All are welcome: Members of all religions can visit Sikh temples ("Gurdwaras"), but please observe the local rules: cover head, no shoes, no smoking when going in to the main hall.
15. Multi-level approach: Sikhism recognizes the concept of a multi-level approach to achieving your target as a disciple of the faith. For example, "Sahajdhari" (slow adopters) are Sikhs who have not donned the full 5Ks but are still Sikhs regardless.

Note: The Punjabi language does not have a gender for God. Unfortunately, when translating, the real meaning cannot be properly conveyed without using "Him," "His," "He," "Brotherhood," "Him or Her," et cetera; but this distorts the meaning by giving the impression that God is masculine, which is not the message in the original script. The reader must allow for this every time these words are used. It is often the case that rather than taking a gender definition, God is simply conveyed as "Omnipotent Being" rather than God, thus converying the correct perceptual image.

1. ^ "Sikhism, A Complete Introduction" by Dr. H.S. Singha & Satwant Kaur Hemkunt, Hemkunt Press, New Delhi, 1994, Special:Booksources
2. ^ "Sikh Identity: An Exploration of Groups Among Sikhs" by Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, pg. 51, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd, 2005, Special:Booksources
3. ^ Doris R. Jakobsh. Relocating Gender In Sikh History: Transformation, Meaning and Identity. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2003, pp.39-40

• Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle - A Socio-Religious Non-Profit Sikh Organization (ISO 9001:2000 Certified)

Yes Sikhs do celebrate the gurus birthday

Just like Christians celebrate the Birth of Christ(Christmas)

Here are the Gurus Birthdays if you waould like to have them:

• Guru Nanak Dev founded the Sikh faith, introducing the concept of one God.

  Son of: Kalyan Das ji (Mehta Kalu ji), and Mata Tripta ji.

  Married to: Sulakhani ji.

  Father to: sons, Siri Chand and Lakhmi Das.

  Birthplace: Nankana Sahib (Pakistan), observed October 20, 1469 (April 15, 1469 Nanakshahi)

• Guru Angad Dev compiled the writings of Nanak Dev, and introduced the Gurmukhi script.

  Son of: Pheru Mall ji and Mata Daya Kaur (Sabhrai) ji.

  Married to: Khivi ji.

  Father to: sons, Dasu, Datu, and daughters, Amro and Anokhi.

  • Birthplace: Harike, March 31, 1504 (April 18, Nanakshahi)
  • Became Guru: Kartarpur, September 7, 1539 (September 18, Nanakshahi)

• Guru Amar Das disavowed caste with the institution of langar, pangat and sangat.

  Son of: Tej Bhan ji and Mata Lakhmi ji.

  Married to: Mansa Devi.

  Father to: sons, Mohan, Mohri, and daughters, Dani and Bhani.

  • Birthplace: Basarke (Amritsar) May 5, 1479, (May 23, Nanakshahi)
  • Became Guru: Khadur, March 26, 1552 (April 16, Nanakshahi)

• Guru Raam Das began the excavation of the http://wiki.answers.com/od/history/a/Golden_Temple.htmin Amritsar.

  Son of: Hari Das ji Sodhi and Mata Daya Kaur ji.

  Married to: Bhani ji.

  Father to: sons, Prithi Chand, Maha Dev and Arjun Dev.

  • Birthplace: Chuna Mandi (Lahore, Pakistan) September 24, 1534 (October 9, Nanakshahi)

• Guru Arjun (Arjan) Dev erected the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar, compiled and contributed to Adi Granth, 1604.

  Son of: Guru Ram das and Ji Mata Bhani ji.

  Married to: Ram Devi (issueless), Ganga ji.

  Father to: one son, Har Govind.

  • Birthplace: Goindwal, April 14, 1563 (May 2, Nanakshahi)
  • Became Guru: Goindwal, September 1, 1581 (September 16, Nanakshahi)

• Guru Har Govind (Gobind) constructed the http://wiki.answers.com/../../../od/history/a/Golden_Temple.htm. He raised an army and wore two swords symbolizing secular and spiritual authority. The mogul emperor Jahangir imprisoned the guru who negotiated release for whomever could hold on to his robe.

  Son of: Guru Arjun and Mata Ganga.

  Married to: Damodri ji, Nankee ji and Maha Devi ji.

  Father to: Sons, Gur Ditta, Ani Rai, Suraj Mal, Atal Rai, Teg Mall (Teg Bahadur), and daughter, Bibi Veero.

  • Birthplace: Guru ki Wadali (Amritsar), June 19, 1595 (July 5, Nanakshai)

• Guru Har Rai propagated the Sikh faith, maintained a cavalry of 20,000 as his personal guard, and established both a hospital and zoo.

  Son of: Baba Gurditta ji and Mata Nihal Kaur.

  Married to: Sulakhni ji (Kishan Kaur) and Daughters of Daya Ram.

  Father to: sons, Ram Rai and Har Krishan, and daughter Sarup Kaur.

  • Birthplace: Kiratpur (Hoshiarpur), January 16, or February 26, 1630 (January 31, Nanakshahi)

• Guru Har Krishan became guru at the age of five, and is known for his wisdom and compassion.

  Son of Guru Har Rai and Mata Kishan (aka Krishan or Sulakhni) Kaur.

  • Birthplace: Kiratpur, July 7,1656 (July 23, Nanakshahi)
  • Became Guru: Kiratpur, June 10, July 7, or October 6 - 7, 1661 (October 20, Nanakshahi)

• Guru Teg Bahadar reluctant to leave meditation and come forward as guru, ultimately sacrificed his life to protect Hindu Pandits from forced conversion to Islam.

  Son of: Guru Har Govind and Mata Nankee ji.

  Married to: Gujri ji.

  Father to: one son, Gobind Singh.

  • Birthplace: Amritsar, April 1, 1621 (April 18, Nanakshahi)

• Guru Gobind Singh created the order of http://wiki.answers.com/od/initiation/a/Initiation.htm. He sacrificed his father, mother, four sons and ultimately his own life, to protect Sikhs from forced conversion to Islam. He completed the Granth and bestowed upon it the title of everlasting Guru.

  Son of Guru Teg Bahadur and Mata Gujri ji.

  Married to Jito ji (Ajit Kaur), Sundri, and Sahib Kaur.

  Father to sons, Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh.

  • Birthplace: Patna (Bihar, India) December 22, 1666 (January 5, Nanakshahi)

== == == == == == ---- == == The principal belief of Sikhism is faith in Vāhigurū-represented using the sacred symbol of ēk ōaṅkār, the Universal God. Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. A key distinctive feature of Sikhism is a non-anthropomorphic concept of God, to the extent that one can interpret God as the Universe itself.

The followers of Sikhism are required to follow the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus, or enlightened leaders, as well as the holy scripture entitled the Gurū Granth Sāhib, which, along with the writings of the six of the ten Sikh Gurus, includes selected works of many devotees from diverse socio-economic and religious backgrounds. The text was decreed by Gobind Singh, the tenth guru, as the final guru of the Khalsa Panth.

Sikhism's traditions and teachings are distinctively associated with the history, society and culture of the Punjab. Adherents of Sikhism are known as Sikhs (students or disciples) and number over 23 million across the world. ----

There are a number of religious prohibitions in Sikhism # Cutting Hair: Cutting hair is strictly forbidden in Sikhism. Sikhs are required to keep unshorn hair. # Intoxication:Consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and other intoxicants is not allowed. Intoxicants are strictly forbidden for a Sikh.[1][2][3] # Adultery: In Sikhism, the spouses must be physically faithful to one another. [4][1][2][3] # Blind spirituality Superstitions and rituals should not be observed or followed, including pilgrimages, fasting and ritual purification; circumcision; idols, grave worship; compulsory wearing of the veil for women; etc. # Material obsession :Accumulation of material wealth is not encouraged in Sikhism. # Sacrifice of creatures: The practice of sati (widows throwing themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands), ritual animal sacrifice to celebrate holy occasions, etc. are forbidden. # Non-family-oriented living: A Sikh is encouraged not to live as a recluse, beggar, yogi, monastic (monk/nun) or celibate. # Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip, lying, slander, "back-stabbing", etc. are not permitted. The Guru Granth Sahib tells the Sikh, "Your mouth has not stopped slandering and gossiping about others. Your service is useless and fruitless."[5] # No Priestly class: Sikhism does not have priests, that were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru of Sikhism).[6] The only position he left was a Granthi to look after the Guru Granth Sahib, any Sikh is free to become Granthi or read from the Guru Granth Sahib.[6] # Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner: Sikhs are strictly prohibited from eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (such as halal or kosher[7] meat), or any meat where langar is served.[8] In some small Sikh Sects, ie Akhand Kirtani Jatha eating any meat is believed to be forbidden, but this is not a universally held belief.[9] # Having premarital or extramarital sexual relations[1][2][10][11]