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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
How did Sikhism come into existence?
It started with 1 person, Guru Nanak. He thought that the Hindu's way of life was not the right way of life so he started his own religion that spread throughout India. When he died, someone took over as a Guru and so on until 10 gurus had lived and died. Each Guru added pieces to the puzzle of Sikhism and the final one put it all together.
Answer:
Sikhs are monotheists i.e. they believe in only one God. The Sikhs have great respect for their gurus, the first teachers and leaders of their religion, but gurus are not worshipped. Unlike the other monotheistic religions (Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam) Sikhs believe in reincarnation until the soul is fit for the presence of God.
Sikhs believe in one powerful God.This God is not the Gurus. The Sikhs respect their gurus greatly, but do not worship them. They believe their gurus were the beginners and teachers of the religion.
How has Sikhism changed over time?
The Sikh religion has had many different Gurus (11 in total, including the Guru Granth Sahib). These Gurus have influenced many worship methods and have been inspired by other religions, such as Hinduism
What is the sleeping area used as in a gurdwara?
for the people that do the prayers and it's a symobl
What are some key events in guru nanaks life?
At the age of 30, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was thought to get drowned in the local stream where he used to go for his daily bath.Three days later he appeared back and answered the same to whatever question he was poised, " There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim". This event is the one where Guru Nanak gets enlightenment, after this every moment was significant as Guru Nanak Dev Ji traveled all of India, Tibet, Afghanistan, Iran,Iraq, Mecca and Sri Lanka spreading his message.
One day the Guru thought about God for a very long time, instead of watching the cattle. He was tired. So he fell asleep under a tree. The cattle went into a cornfield. They ate up a lot of corn and all the plants were destroyed. The Guru did not know this and was still sleeping when the farmer came up. He was very angry to see his crops eaten up. He took the cattle away and told the police.
The police went to tell the Guru's father. Many people went with them. The police chief was Mr. Rai Bular. He took Kalu and the farmer to the fields. All the people followed them. They reached the farmer's field. The field was as green as ever and not a plant was broken. Everybody was surprised. The farmer thought it was magic. They were all wondering when Rai Bular said, "But where's the boy?"
Everybody began to look for the Guru. They sought him here, there and everywhere. But they could not find him. The sun was very hot and they were tired. So they thought of taking some rest under a tree. They were even more surprised to find the Guru sleeping there. The shade of the tree had moved round away from him but a snake was giving shade to the Guru's face. Everybody prayed for the Guru's life. They were very afraid. Their noise made the Guru wake up. The snake slipped away and the Guru got up. All came back to the village. From that day many people began to think that Nanak was 'a man of God.'
Who are Guru Nanak Dev Ji sons?
Shri guru nanak dev jee got tow son and her name is:--
"Lakhmi das"
and
"Shri chand"
What are the ten basic beliefs in Sikhism?
Listed below are ten basic beliefs of Sikhism:-
1. Worship one and one God only. Acknowledge one creator. Do not worship demi-gods or idols.
2. Treat everyone equally. Do not show distinction or rank due to race, class and or gender.
3. Live by the three primary principles. Always be absorbed in meditation and prayer. Make an honest income by honorable methods. Put aside on tenth of your income to help others in the need to assistance.
4. Avoid the five sins of ego. Practice your daily prayers and meditation to reduce the effects of ego and prevent indulgence in:-
- Pride
- Lust
- Greed
- Anger
- Attachment
5. Become a baptized Sikh. Be spiritually reborn by taking part in the baptism ceremony conducted by the "Five Beloved" Sikhs, who prepare and administer immortalizing nectar to initiates.
6. Live by the code of honor. Live according to specific individual, communal, ethical and spiritual commitments. Abide by the guru's teachings. Practice daily worship.
7. Wear the five articles of faith. Wear the Sikh undergarment for modesty and health. Wear a wooden comb in the turban to keep hair clean and untangled. Wear a steel bangle as a sign of faith. Keep unshorn hair, to honor the creator's intention. Wear a small sword symbolic of defending the religious rights of all faiths.
8. Follow the four commandments. Do not dishonor the creator's intention by cutting the hair. Do not harm the body with tobacco or other intoxicants. Do not eat sacrificial meat. Do not commit adultery.
9. Recite all daily prayers. Repeat the five morning prayers early morning everyday. Recite the evening and bedtime prayers as well.
10. Take part in fellowship. Worship together and sing God's praises. Cook and eat together. Serve each other and commit selfless actions.
The group of initiated Sikhs are referred to as the Khalsa. They are warriors in the tenth gurus words. They fight for justice and the betterment of others.
Guru Nanak dev ji considered every creature same. So in langar everybody - be a king or poor - sit on the floor and have food together irrespective of caste, creed and everything else.
How many followers are there worldwide of Sikhism?
Sikhism is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing. Adherents of Sikhism are known as Sikhs (students ordisciples) and number over 26 million across the world. The Punjab region is the historic homeland of Sikhism. Sikhism is an ethnic religion but welcomes converts.
Who is considered more Spiritual --- Men or Women?
Sikhism states both men and women are considered capable of reaching the highest levels of spirituality. A particular hymn in the Guru Granth Sahib states, 'In all beings is he himself pervasive, Himself pervades all forms Male and Female.' Guru Granth Sahib, Pg. 605.
What do most Sikh men wear on their heads?
The men wear Turbans. Woman can do too. Woman can also wear a veil or choose both.
Much like christianity, sikhs believe in one god. Guru nanak was not a god and neither were the other gurus. A guru is a teacher, in this case a teacher of religion and moral rights and wrongs
What are the countries an places guru nanak has visited?
It was in the year 1499 A.D when Guru Nanak Dev Ji was 30 years old that during his usual daily bath he went to a stream which used to flow by his village and he disappeared for 3 days and reappeared after his religious experience.
At what age did Guru Nanak get married?
Guru Nanak Dev Ji married Sulakhani Ji at the age of 18 so the year was 1487 ,the daughter of Moolchand Chona, a rice trader from the village Bhatala. She bor two sons.
Why did Guru Nanak choose Lena instead of his sons to be his successor?
Because sikhism is based on sewa and simran it doesnt depends on the blood relaton
What is the name of guru nanak dev ji sister?
Bibi Nanaki was the older sister of Guru Nanak Dev. She was the first to recognize Nanakâ??s devout leanings and mystic temperament. She judged her brotherâ??s character to be very spiritual in nature and took him as her guru, becoming his first disciple.
Why is there a social room in a gurdwara?
A gurdwara's social room is used to pray. Most Sikhs use it and in most gurdwaras there is only one. Whilst praying they can also use it as a room to chat to other Sikhs.
How did guru gobind singh ji die?
According to Sri Gur Sobha by the contemporary writer Senapati, Jamshed Khan stabbed the Guru in the left side below the heart while he was resting in his chamber after the Rehras prayer. Guru Gobind Singh killed the attacker with his Sabre, while the attacker's fleeing companion was killed by the Sikhs who had rushed in on hearing the noise.
The European surgeon sent by Bahadar Shah stitched the Guru's wound. However, the wound re-opened and caused profuse bleeding, as the Guru tugged at a hard strong bow after a few days. Seeing his end was near, the Guru declared the Granth Sahib as the next Guru of the Sikhs,. He then sang his self-composed hymn:"Agya bhai Akal ki tabhi chalayo Panth Sabh Sikhan ko hukam hai Guru manyo Granth Guru Granth Ji manyo pargat Guran ki deh Jo Prabhu ko milbo chahe khoj shabad mein le Raj karega Khalsa aqi rahei na koe Khwar hoe sabh milange bache sharan Jo hoe."
Translation of the above:"Under orders of the Immortal Being, the Panth was created. All the Sikhs are enjoined to accept the Granth as their Guru. Consider the Guru Granth as embodiment of the Gurus. Those who want to meet God, can find Him in its hymns. The Khalsa shall rule, and its opponents will be no more, Those separated will unite and all the devotees shall be saved
The Guru died along with his horse Dilbag on 7 October, 1708 at Nanded
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Gobind_Singh#Death
Where did Sikh religions start?
Sikhism started in the year 1469 ( 5 Centuries ago ) with the birth of Guru Nanak . Guru Gobind Singh Ji established Khalsa Panth on 13 April 1699 and instructed every Sikh to use the words Singh ( for men ) and Kaur (for Women) along with their name. Sikhs prior to that don't use the words "Singh and Kaur" with their name.
Sikhism started with the birth of Guru Nanak Dev ji, and its teachings and opinions were quite different from Hinduism. The 9th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, did sacrifice his life to save Kashmiri Pandits, only because forcing someone to change the religion is against humanity and Sikhism. He did this for the sake of humanity not for the Hindus or Hinduism. Even if it would have been some other religion, his action would have been the same. Sikhism was established to stop the fightings of Hindus & Muslims.
Sikhism was founded by our first Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, legends say when he was born, light had come over the darkness like every other day. His birth was legendary. His father, had later on in his younger years given him money to go something good. Guruji had a very big heart so he had bought food for the homeless and poor that lived on the streets in his village.
Sikhism can said to be founded by all Ten Sikh Gurus with each of them adding an important attribute to the Soul of Sikhism
Guru Nanak dev ji and the other nine Gurus founded Sikhism.
Why is a Sikh wedding important to Sikhs?
Loyalty, self-sacrifice, devotion, bravery.
- Vaisakhi is a New Year festival in the Sikh calendar and recalls the institution of the 'Khalsa'. The story originates in 1699, after a long period of Sikh persecution. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last human Guru (the Sikh holy book, the 'Guru Granth Sahib', is considered to be the last Guru), called together all the Sikhs and, as the story shows, instituted a group of five men known as the Khalsa who would be willing to dedicate themselves to God, to defend their faith and to care for the poor and the helpless.
- From this time onwards men and women from as young as 16 or 18 have been initiated into the Khalsa as a sign of their commitment to follow the Sikh way of life.
- On Vaisakhi people gather in Gudwaras (temples) and there is a continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib. A new Sikh flag is put in place and the flag pole washed. There are shared meals and celebrations. Very often people are initiated into the Khalsa on this day.
It happened a long time ago, over 300 years. For the Sikhs life was difficult. They had been under attack for many years. There were lots of poor people without anyone to help them.
The Sikh leader was called Guru Gobind Singh. Guru means teacher, and he taught people about God. Guru Gobind Singh decided things had to change, and so, on the spring festival of Vaisakhi, he called the Sikhs to join him. There was a huge crowd, over 20,000 people. Guru Gobind Singh stood outside his tent and called out: 'I need a Sikh who is willing to die for God and for the Guru.'
His words were passed through the crowd. Everyone was amazed. Who was devoted enough to give up their life? Twice more the Guru called out to the crowd and asked the question. Then one man came forward. Guru Gobind Singh took him into his tent. After a while the Guru came out by himself. But in his hand was a sword covered in blood! The crowd gasped. Then the Guru asked again. 'Who is willing to die for God and the Guru?' Surely no one else would come forward.
What about that sword with blood on the blade? But then another man stepped forward and went into the tent with the Guru. Once again the Guru came out of the tent alone, with blood on his sword. Then amazingly, another man stepped forward and went into the tent, and then another. Four brave and devoted men - and each time the Guru stepped out of the tent alone, with his sword in his hand.
Then a fifth man stepped forward and went into the tent with the Guru. How many men must die, the crowd wondered. But this time the Guru came out of the tent, with his sword, and behind him were the five men. They were still alive!
'This was a test,' the Guru explained, 'to see who was brave enough and willing to give up everything to show how much they were devoted to God.' The Guru called the five men the 'Panje Pyare', the beloved ones. They were to become the first members of a group called the Khalsa, which would defend the Sikh faith and care for the poor and helpless, whoever they were and whatever they believed.
Then the Guru made a mixture of sugar and water called 'amrit'. He asked the beloved ones to give him some of the amrit, to show that although he was the Guru; all people were equal in God's eyes. That day amrit was given to people in the crowd who said that they believed in one God, and that all people were equal. They were given new last names too, to show that they now belonged to one big family - women were given the name Kaur, which means princess, and men were given the name Singh, which means lion.
From that time onwards any man or woman, or boy or girl, who shows that they want to follow the Sikh way of life, takes part in a special ceremony which is often celebrated at this time. They, too, join the Khalsa and they make five important promises:
1 To wear five signs or symbols of the faith (see the five K's above).
2 To follow the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and the holy book called the Guru Granth Sahib.
3 To help people in need.
4 To give up alcohol and tobacco and to be faithful to their husbands or wives.
5 To work hard and to give to charity.
