Sikhism

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Sikhism
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Sikh History

• The name of the religion means learner
• Its founder was Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
• At Sultanpur, he received a vision to preach the
  way to enlightenment and God

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Sikh History

• Guru Nanak and his followers built the first Sikh
  temple at Katarpur
• A succession of 9 Gurus (believed to be
  reincarnations of Guru Nanak) led the Sikh
  movement

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Sikh Holy Texts

• The 10th Guru, Gobind Singh compiled the Siri
  Guru Granth Sahib
• It consists of hymns and writings by the first 10
  Gurus, along with texts from Hindu and Muslim
  saints
• The Shri Guru Granth is considered the 11th Guru
  and the Sikhs holiest religious text

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Sikh Beliefs

• Goal The goal of the Sikhs is to build a close,
  loving relationship with God
• Deity Sikhs believe in a single, formless God,
  with many names who can be known through
  meditation

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Sikh Beliefs

• Reincarnation They believe in samsara (cycle of
  birth, life and death), karma (accumulated good
  and bad deeds) and reincarnation (rebirth
  following death)
• Caste system rejected the Hindu caste system.
  Believe everyone has equal status in the eyes of
  God.

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Sikh Beliefs

• Definition of a Sikh
• Any human being who faithfully believes in
• I. One Immortal Being
• II. Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru
  Gobind Singh
• III. The Guru Granth Sahib
• IV. The utternace and teachings of the ten
  gurues
• V. The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru,
  and who does not owe allegiance to any other
  religion
• is a Sikh

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Sikh Practices

• Prayers repeated multiple times each day
• Worship prohibited from worshipping idols,
  images and icons
• Temples over 200 Gurdwaras (temples) in India
  alone. Most sacred is at Armistar.

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Sikh Practices

• The Five Ks clothing practices followed by
  strict Sikhs, called Khalsa saints
• Kesa (long hair, which is never cut)
• Kangah (comb)
• Kacha (short pants)
• Kara (metal bracelet)
• Kirpan (a ceremonial dagger)