Sikhism

1
Sikhism
2
Origins

• Founder mystic poet Nanak (1470-1540)
• Called by God to become a renunciant at 30
• At 50, three day rapture and revelation from God
  This is no Hindu There is no Muslim.
• India was being ruled by the Mughals, a Muslim
  Empire. There were tensions between Mughals and
  Hindus of India.
• Nanak taught that there was one all-powerful,
  loving God.
• Nanak believed that God called him to be a guru
  or teacher.

3
Beliefs

• Monotheism One god by many names Brahma,
  Rama, Hari, or Allah you just cannot confine him
  to any one name
• Sikhs call him Lord Sat Nam, the True or Absolute
  Name
• Repetition of his name is as good as pilgrimage
  to Mecca or Benares
• In submission to it, lies freedom

4
Growth of Sikhism

• Sikh means disciple
• Nanak continued to wander as an itinerant poet
  surrounded by disciples.
• He was the first guru. There were 9 more after
  him.
• 8 million believers today
• Minority religion in India but the majority
  population of the Indian State of Punjab (65 are
  Sikh)

5
Scriptures and Practices

• Holy Granth sacred scriptures, a collection of
  poems of Nanak, Kabir, and others (kept in the
  Golden Temple in Amritsar Sikhisms holiest
  shrine)
• Communal worship hymns, prayer, scripture
  reading, sermons, and sharing of food together
  (communion rite at end of worship and communal
  dinners afterwards)

6
Warrior Tradition

• Tenth guru Gobind Rai (1666-1708) began the
  Khalsa, a special military wing of the Sikhs in
  1699
• Sikhs were being persecuted by the Mughal emperor
  Aurangzib
• Rai asked for five volunteers willing to give
  their lives this began a military traditions
• Not cutting hair, covered by turban, a comb, a
  steel bracelet, a special pair of undershorts,
  and a kirpan, double-edged dagger
• Took the name Singh lion

7
1984 Genocide

• Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated (no
  relation to Mahatma Gandhi) by two of her Sikh
  bodyguards
• Response to when Indian troops stormed the Golden
  Temple in Amritsar (Sikhisms holiest shrine)

8
Jainism
9
Background

• Mahavira (c.540-468) Great Hero founder, was
  a wandering mystic
• Experienced full liberation (moksha) and wanted
  to teach others the way to it
• Followers believe he was the last of the
  Tirthankaras (Crossing-Makers)
• Tirthankaras are celebrated as jinas (victors)
  over their human bodies

10
Great Struggle

• Jains view the struggle not against a human enemy
  but over oneself
• Ones own material nature can be defeated by
  perseverance in asceticism (self-denial)
• Jivas (souls or particles of life) exist in all
  things gods, humans, animals, plants, even
  stones, dust, and air
• Jivas are trapped in the material shells because
  of karma

11
Karma Traps Souls

• Jains believe all karma good or bad traps
  souls in the cycle of rebirth (reincarnation)
• The only solution is to become an ascetic and
  break down the karmic shell (your body) until
  your soul can reach liberation

12
Nonviolence Toward All Things

• Extreme form of nonviolence called ahimsa
• Strict vegetarians
• Put screens over lamps and light bulbs to prevent
  bugs from burning themselves
• Wear handkerchiefs over mouths and noses in areas
  where there are lots of bugs so as not to inhale
  and kill them
• Sweep the sidewalk in front of them with a
  delicate broom to make sure they do not step on
  creatures

13
Path to Liberation

• Laity (or everyday Jains) live in a way so as not
  to put any more burden on the souls hoping to be
  reborn a monk
• Monks attempt to make strong effort toward moksha
  by practicing ahimsa and great asceticism

14
Respect for Living Things

• Jain temples often have adjacent buildings for
  abandoned animals and sick birds
• Influenced Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King
  (use of nonviolence during protest)