Sikhism

Synchronization of Hinduism and Islam

Basic InformationFounded by Guru Nanak 15c

Gu, darkness; ru, enlightenment; sikh, learner Guru: successors of Nanak (10), sacred text, God

23,000,000 Sikhs, Punjab, West India, 2,000,000 outside of India, (Recognizable by distinct turban)

Attempts to reconcile Hinduism and Islam Kaur and Singh Monotheistic Salvation achieved by union with God and

liberation from rebirth

MythicGuru Nanak

◦ Hindu of the warrior caste◦ Decided after mediation and a mystical

experience to follow God’s path◦ Built a township called Kartarpur, abode of the

Creator, first Sikh community (Panth)◦ Body disappeared at death

10 Successor GurusFounding of Khalsa

◦ An order in Sikhism founded by Guru Gobind Singh Installed the Adi Granth as the next Guru

◦ Based on the principle of loyalty

ExperientialUnion with God

◦God’s grace enables us to perceive God and to respond in meditation on God’s nature

◦Meditation on the divine name of God and repetition of his name is the path to spiritual perfection

◦Blissful and forever, beyond the cycle of death and rebirth

Liberation from samsara◦Result of union with God

DoctrinalMool Mantra

◦Beginning of the Adi Granth, a description of God Creator, preserver and destroyer Immanent, indwelling in creation

◦Haumai Humans insisting that they can do things on

their own; lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride increase the distance to God

◦Hukam The divine order of the universe; God’s

immanence is perceivable; God imposes His will on humans through Hukam

EthicalFour Prohibitions

◦Prohibition against cutting of hair◦Eating improperly slaughtered meat◦Engaging in extramarital sexual

relations◦Using tobacco

Ritual Ceremony of Initiation into Khalsa

◦ 14 years old◦ Possess the 5 K’s (Uncut hair, a comb, iron wrist guard, sword

or knife, pair of shorts)◦ Acceptance of the basic principles of Sikhism◦ Sprinkling of nectar and recitation of the Mool Mantra◦ Instruction on ethical requirements◦ Share special cake

Meditation on the divine Name Worship practices in the gurdwara

◦ Minarets, white paint◦ Congregate to worship◦ Evening, no particular day

Bathing, singing, reading from scripture, eating cake

◦ Kitchen for community

SocialPanth

◦Name given to the entire Sikh community

Khalsa◦An order within Sikhism that requires

a particular purity.◦Initiation into the order is ceremonial

ritual

MaterialFive K’s

◦ Uncut hair, knife or sword, comb, iron wrist guard, pair of shorts

Food◦ Special cake; wheat, ghee, sugar, water- symbolizes unity

within the community

Gurdwara ◦ Central structure of a Sikh community◦ Holds the Adi Granth

Adi Granth◦ Compiled by the 5th Guru as the sacred scripture◦ Installed as the next Guru by Guru Gobind Singh◦ Holds a special seat in the Gurdwara◦ Written in Punjabi