PRESENTATION ON SIKHISM

1
PRESENTATION ON SIKHISM By Central Gurdwara
Manchester

2
Agenda

• Origin of Sikhism
• The Gurdwara
• What is a Sikh?
• What is a Guru?
• Birth of Sikhism the 10 Gurus
• Birth of the Khalsa
• The Guru Granth Sahib
• Sikh Beliefs
• The 5 Ks Khanda
• Ik Onkar
• Nishaan Sahib
• The Golden Temple
• Sikh Dastar (Turban)
• Importance of Identity
• Some Sikh Public Faces
• Dastar Bandi Anand Karaj

3
Origin of Sikhism
CHINA
IRAN
INDIA
AFGHANISTAN PAKISTAN
INDIA
4

Gurdwara Place of Worship

• Gurdwara means Doorway to God or House of God
• The Sikh religious service follows the
  traditions started by the1st Guru to promote
  equality and alleviate suffering. It has 3
  components
• Sangat Community prayer through readings from
  the Guru Granth Sahib and singing of hymns
  (Kirtan).
• Pangat A sense of equality with everyone seated
  on the ground - at the same level.
• Langar Community vegetarian meal for all.
• Protocol to be observed in the Gurdwara
• Heads covered
• Shoes removed
• Sit on floor
• All are WELCOME

5
Gurdwara Place of Worship
6
What is a Sikh?

• Sikh means learner
• Sikh means Student or Disciple of God
• Sikhism is worlds 5th largest religion, after
  Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism
• 26 million Sikhs worldwide
• 20 million in India
• 500,000 in the United Kingdom
• 99 of the people wearing TURBANS in the United
  Kingdom are Sikhs

7
Who are the Sikhs?
8
What is a Guru?

• Guru means teacher
• Guru means Spiritual Enlightener
• The term GURU implies descendant of divine
  guidance to mankind sent from God.
• Literally translated GUmeans darkness and RU
  means light.
• Thus, Guru means the Light that dispels
  darkness. Therefore, Guru Nanak was the
  embodiment of divine light.

9
Birth of Sikhism

• Guru Nanak Dev Ji 1st Guru
• Born in 1469 during a time when
• Rich exploited the poor
• Women had no role in society
• Land divided by religion
• Caste system prevailed
• Guru Nanak founded Sikhism based on equality and
  justice for all and taught us that all human
  beings regardless of skin color, wealth, caste,
  and gender are created equal.

Truth is high still higher is truthful living
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji
10
The 11 Gurus
11
The 10 Gurus

• Guru Nanak Dev ji Founded Sikhism, One
  Universal God, Do not discriminate on basis of
  Colour, Creed, Religion, Case, Creed. Earn an
  honest living, Share with others
• Guru Angad Dev ji Introduced new alphabet known
  as Gurmukhi Script, started langar to break caste
  system
• Guru Amardas ji Embodiment of Seva (service).
  Humilty and service leads to a happy life
• Guru Ramdas ji Built the holy city of Amritsar.
  Reformed the marriage ceremony of Anand Karaj
• Guru Arjan Dev ji Compiled Adi Granth Sahib,
  built Golden Temple, First Sikh Martyr, Accepted
  the Will of God
• Guru Hargobind ji Miri (Temporal Strength) and
  Piri (Spiritual Strength), Bandi Chorr (Diwali)

12
The 10 Gurus

• Guru Har Rai ji Respect for nature and
  conservation. Opened Free hospitals for those in
  need.
• Guru Har Krishan ji Child Guru, impressed
  elders by his diving knowledge, Divine healing
  power, devoted his life to helping the sick
  especially treating smallpox
• Guru Tegh Bahadur ji - Forgiveness is the
  greatest virtue. Championed religious freedom and
  gave his life and was martyred while fighting for
  religious freedom.
• Guru Gobind Singh ji Created Khalsa (comes from
  the Persian word khalis meaning Pure),
  Fought many religious defensive battles against
  tyrant rulers. Proclaimed Sri Guru Grath Sahib Ji
  as our eternal Guru instead of a human Guru.

13
Birth of the Khalsa

• During the spring of 1699, the Guru called his
  followers for a special gathering. Symbolized a
  revitalization of the Sikh identity and the
  evolution of the Sikh community into
  saint-soldiers. After initiating the five
  "beloved ones" into the new order of the Khalsa,
  the Guru knelt before them and requested that
  they initiate him.
• Gave the names Singh (Lion) to men and Kaur
  (Princess) to women.
• Khalsa Sikhs identified with the 5 Ks.

14
Guru Granth Sahib ji

• Guru means Spiritual teacher who dispels the
  ignorance.
• Granth implies a Scripture containing divine
  knowledge.
• Sahib is added as a mark of respect, which
  literally means The Master or The Lord.

15
Guru Granth Sahib ji
Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru declared Guru
Granth Sahib Ji as the eternal Guru and ultimate
spiritual authority for the Sikhs.

• Guru Granth Sahib -
• the Sikh Scripture is purely monotheistic
• 1430 pages and 5867 hymms
• The Gurus Experience of the Divine
• Also included were a few hymns from Hindu and
  Muslim saints who believed in ONE God
• The main teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib are
  cultivating a real personal devotion to God,
  fostering compassion and service for people who
  are poor or suffering, and promoting equality and
  seeking harmony among all human beings
• The central theme of the Guru Granth Sahib is
  concerned with the creation of a just social
  order and the commitment to social and gender
  equality and peaceful coexistence

16

Sikh Beliefs

• There is One God for all of creation, a
• loving Creator attainable through the Grace
• Goal is to be one with god
• Selfless service towards the entire Creation
• Truth, fearless, non-hateful spirit are
• important in attaining salvation
• Absolute equality of humanity
• Defenders of social and spiritual justice
• Living a moral, truthful and hardworking
  existence
• Humility and loving action
• Defending the rights of the downtrodden and
  oppressed

Bhai Kanhiya pioneer of the Red Cross
humanitarian aide organizations
17
Respect for All

• Equality of all religions and people
• Give relevance to God rather than religion
• Believers of interfaith diversity
• Sikhism believes that there are many paths to
  God. Anyone can achieve salvation irrespective of
  the religion that they follow if they endear God
  in their heart and daily actions

18
Guru Nanak Dev jis Principles

• These 3 pillars / principles are the FOUNDATION
  of Sikhism.
• Naam Japo Chanting the Holy Name and thus
  remembering God at all times (ceaseless devotion
  to God).
• Kirat Karo Earning/making a living honestly,
  without exploitation or fraud.
• Vand Chakko Sharing with others, helping those
  with less who are in need.
• So these are Sikhs essential pillars and are very
  import daily activities.
• The idea of the above is to uphold the five
  virtues and resist the five evils as per the
  following

19
Five Virtues

• Sat - Being truthful - Acting justly towards
  others. With honesty, integrity and treating all
  as equals.
• Santokh - Contentment Be happy with what god
  has given you. It is gods will for you.
• Daya - Compassion feel another persons pain.
  The concept is to do whatever in ones mean to
  helps others in pain or tragedy.
• Nimrata Humility To be humble and modest at
  all times and without ego.
• Pyar Love - Love for god and all his creations.
  Forgive and forget for all grievances. Bear no
  grudges.
• These are the five qualities / virtues and are
  essential to a Sikh.

20
Five Evils

• Krodh Rage This covers loss of temper, anger,
  violence etc. One must control that and live
  within the world with humility.
• Lobh - Greed This covers a strong desire for
  material items and also wanting of what belongs
  to others. One can become blind with greed.
• Moh Attachment If one has attachment only for
  material things, then he cannot progress to
  master his life. He is too wrapped up in that.
• Ahankar Ego This gives an individual to feel
  he is superior and all others below him inferior.
  This leads to jealousy etc. It is all about I, me
  and mine. Taking credit where its not due. Etc.
• Kam Lust Deep desire, uncontrolled longing,
• So these are the five evils to Sikhs.
• This is why we have a duty to recite gurbani
  /meditate (simran) and also a duty to do selfless
  service (sewa) so that all these virtues become
  part of our mind at all times to help us all
  attain the goal of mastering our life.

21
The Four Bajjar Kurehats (Cardinal Sins)

• Dishonour the hair by cutting it.
• Eating meat of an animal killed with prayers
  (Kuthha ie Halal or Kosher)
• Consumption of intoxicants particularly tobacco.
• Co-habit with another man or woman other than
  ones spouse.

22
Articles of Faith

• 5 Ks mandatory articles of faith
• Kesh - Uncut hair Sikhs do not cut hair or
  beards to remain in the image that God
  gave us.
• Kara - Bracelet, made of iron or steel worn on
  right hand a reminder of noble actions, a
  symbol of eternity
• Kanga - Comb, made of wood - to keep uncut
  hair neat and clean.
• Kachera - Under-shorts (boxers) to represent
  modesty and fidelity (virtuous
  character)
• Kirpan - Ceremonial small blunt knife
  symbolizing freedom, liberty and
  justice.

23

Khanda

• The Khanda is the double edged sword that
  represents Gods power, the circle is for
  continuity, the two outer swords for spiritual
  and political balance.

24

ONE GOD IN ALL
25
Nishan Sahib

• The Nishan Sahib is a Sikh holy flag made of
  cotton or silk cloth and is triangular in shape.
  The colour of the Nishan Sahib is saffron. Guru
  Hargobind hoisted it for the first time at Akal
  Takhat Sahib in the year 1609.
• The Nishan Sahib is placed outside every Sikh
  Gurdwara and is supported by a pole of timber or
  metal. You may notice the Sikh symbol, the Khanda
  on it. It is placed high up as a sign for all
  Sikhs and indeed any other people that they can
  come and pray in this building. Great respect is
  shown to this flag and is shown by washing it
  using milk and water every year in April at the
  festival of Vaisakhi, at which time the Nishan
  Sahib is also changed.

26
The Golden Temple

• The Golden Temple is the most sacred of places
  for the Sikhs.
• To enter one has to descend stairs teaches
  humility.
• There are doors on all fours sides, which
  signifies that people from all over the world are
  invited irrespective of caste, color, religion,
  and race.
• 24/7 Langar.

27
(No Transcript)
28
4 Doors to enter Golden Temple
29
Golden Temple Foundation
30
Sikh Dastar (Turban)

• Mandatory not a social or cultural article.
• Covers long, uncut hair.
• Approx. 15 feet of cloth wrapped neatly around
  the head.
• Boys wear patka .
• Symbolizes discipline, integrity, humility, and
  spirituality.
• Middle East head coverings different.
• 99 of people wearing TURBANS in UK are Sikhs,
  not Muslims or Hindus.

31
Sikh Dastar (Turban)
32
Types of Turbans
33
Importance of Identity

• Sikhs feel severely humiliated if asked to remove
  their turban in public, as this breaks a sacred
  covenant with god and exposes an intimate part of
  the body.
• It is very insulting and disrespectful to a Sikh
  to remove his or her turban.
• Turbans are a mandatory part of Sikh faith.
• A turban is not a hat. It cannot be casually
  taken on and off. It must be carefully retied
  each time it is removed.
• Treat the turban with respect.

34
Some Sikh Public Faces
Two Sikh soldiers have become the first of their
religion to guard the Queen.
Judge Sir Mota Singh QC
Dr. Manmohan Singh Indian Prime Minister
Narinder Singh Kapani Father of Fiber Optics
Sikh serving in British Army
Monty Panesar England Cricketer
35
The Man Utd Sikhs
36
Dastar Bandi

• A very important and exciting event in the life
  of a Sikh boy comes when he starts tying the
  turban (Usually between 10-14 years of age).
• Family will have a special function to celebrate
  the occasion, which is called Dastar Bandi.
• The boy is is seated in front of Guru Granth
  Sahib ji and an elder ties the turban on his
  head.
• Prayers are said to invoke Guru's blessing for
  the boy.

37
Anand Karaj

• The Sikh marriage is called 'Anand Karaj' which
  means the ceremony of joy. The Sikh wedding is
  held in the morning in a Gurdwara in the presence
  of Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

One Soul in Two Bodies   "They are not said to be
husband and wife, who merely sit together. Rather
they alone are called husband and wife, who have
one soul in two bodies."
(Guru Amar Das Ji, Pauri, pg 788, Sri Guru
Granth Sahib Ji)
38
ONE GOD IN ALL
Template taken from original by Mandeep Singh
Bawa GAISS Equity Education Director