Guru Nanak
• Northern India, 1469• Vision of God• Transcends religion• Pluralism of Eastern
and Western ideas
Question:
• Can ideas or philosophies of God exist separate from Religion or does an idea about God automatically make it a religion?
Union of Worldly and spiritual Lives
• Reject asceticism • Household Stage of Hinduism• Community important for
moving closer to God
Equality of Human Dignity
• Reject Hindu caste system
• Race, culture, Religion, education, wealthy, gender, do not add or take away human dignity
Humans are equal in dignity, regardless of whether their
outward appearance is attractive unattractive
A Just Society
• Nanek concerned with society’s well-being
• Compassionate society• Pray, eat, and work in
community• Equality of members
Social Responsibility
• God endowed humans with free will
• God also gave humans ability to know the difference between good and evil
• Evil does not originate from God• Call to Charity
Sikh Virtues and Vices
• Stems from belief all are equal
• Outside of marriage, treat all as brothers and sisters
• Contribute financially to the poor Love or Lust?
Family Life
• One should marry, if possible• Family life combined with
virtue, leads to God• Dating too young is not
encouraged
Khalsa
• Kech - Hair• Kangha – Wooden Comb• Kachla – Short pants• Kara – Metal bracelet• Kirpan – dagar