Unit 2: Religions that Originated in South Asia · Sikhism Today There are about 19.1 million Sikhs...
Transcript of Unit 2: Religions that Originated in South Asia · Sikhism Today There are about 19.1 million Sikhs...
Unit 2: Religions that Originated in South Asia
Sikhism originated in the Punjab
region of India around the 16th century CE Sikh means “disciple” or one who
is devoted to a religion The founder was a man named
Nanak
Founding
Raised as a Hindu but lived in an area
dominated by Muslims Disappeared for 3 days – when he
reappeared he claimed he had been brought to the “court of God” He was told by God that there was no Hindu or
Muslim, but just one true religion This religion became Sikhism
Life of Nanak
Began preaching the essential unity of Islam and Hinduism Like Hinduism One supreme and formless God who is beyond human
comprehension Accepts the concept of reincarnation
Like Islam Accepts the concept of one God (called The True Name by
Sikhs) Rejects the caste system, the practice of worshipping
images/idols, and the authority of the Vedas Maybe an attempt to reconcile his Hindu religion with
what he sees as the nobleness of Islam
Life of Nanak
Life of Nanak
Nanak was the 1st of 10 gurus or “teachers” or “leaders” Gurus = ???
The 5th guru, Arjan Dev (1581 to 1606 CE) Begins the compilation of the most important Sikh sacred
scripter called the Adi Granth The 10th guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666 to 1708CE),
announces that he is the last guru Adds to the Adi Granth and the updated version is called
the Guru Granth Sahib (or Collection of Sacred Wisdom) Ever since has been revered by the Sikhs as their living Guru
Historical Development of Sikhism
Arjan Dev and Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Extended his name “Singh” (meaning “lion” or
“lionhearted”) to all Sikh men Called for Sikh women to use the name “Kaur” (meaning
“princess”) Originally Sikhs were known as pacifists but at this time
in history they were being persecuted by both Hindus and Muslims Guru Gobind Singh called for Sikh men who were willing to
commit their lives to defend their religion
Historical Development
The Khalsa This is the name given to the collective body or
community of Sikhs Represented by the “five-beloved ones” or the
first 5 Sikh men who stepped forward to defend the Sikh faith
These Sikh men (and all Sikh men who followed them) were required to adopt the wearing of the 5 K’s
Historical Development
The 5 K’s Kesh – uncut long hair wrapped up under a turban Belief that clean, uncut hair (including facial hair) was a sign
of virility But it was also believed that thick hair and a turban could
offer some protection against a glancing blow to the head Kanga – a small wooden comb Used twice a day by Sikh men to promote cleanliness and
order but also used to bind up their hair under their turban
Historical Development
The 5 K’s Kara – an iron bracelet Symbolizes that all Sikhs are perpetually bound to God and to
each other. Also represents the cycle of reincarnation Originally these bracelets were bigger and could be used as
defensive weapon Kachera – baggy shorts worn under the outer clothing To ensure a Sikh man was always ready for battle and to allow
complete freedom of movement when fighting Also symbolizes self-respect and mental control over lust
Historical Development
The 5 K’s Kirpan – a small dagger To ensure a Sikh man is always prepared for battle Also symbolizes a Sikh man’s responsibility to come to
the aid of someone in peril or to protect the weak and innocent
Historical Development
The 5 K’s
Beliefs There is one God – the True Name The True Name is the creator of the universe Human’s are God’s greatest creations Rejects the teaching of ahimsa Sikhs are able to kill and eat animals
People can be reincarnated Sikhs believe in karma and that one can be reincarnated again
and again until release by the True Name Example
Sikh Beliefs and Practices
Practices The goal of all Sikhs is to seek salvation through a
union with God by realizing, through love, the Person of God who dwells in the depths of their own being
Sikh Beliefs and Practices
Practices Sikhs do not practice asceticism or celibacy They earn a living for their family and donate 10% of their
income to charity A Sikh’s religious life tends to be simple One becomes a Sikh through a type of baptism not just from
being born into a Sikh family A bowl of sweetened water is stirred with a dagger The water is sprinkled onto the person being baptized while
he/she is instructed in the rules and beliefs of the faith
Sikh Beliefs and Practices
Practices Daily rituals include an early morning bath, the reading of
hymns and recitations of prayers. At night another ritual of hymns and prayers is performed.
Worship Sikhs gather for worship at temples called gurdwaras The central object of worship is a copy of the Guru Granth
Sahib (or updated Adi Granth) Prayers are made to the Granth, then some hyms, then a
sermon, and then concludes with a communal meal called a Langer The Langer symbolizes that all are equal
Sikh Beliefs and Practices
Langer
Worship There are no Sikh priests and group worship is led by any
member of the community There are no caste or gender differences involved in
worship practices An object of special attention to Sikhs is the Takht
(throne) of Sikhism at Armritsar in India The Golden Temple at Armritsar, while not a required
pilgrimage, is visited by many Sikhs during their lifetime
Sikh Beliefs and Practices
Sikhism Today
There are about 19.1 million Sikhs worldwide Most live in the Punjab but there are sizeable
communities in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia
The Sikhs are a minority religious group in India and at times they have felt persecuted. There are some Sikh groups who want to establish an
independent Sikh nation in the Punjab