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CHAPTER SEVEN: SIKHISM

Chapter Outline and Unit Summaries

I.

Introduction

A. Origins in Sixteenth Century C.E. Northwestern IndiaB. Sikhism: Dialogical and Reformist ReligionC. An Indian Minority Religion

II. The Life of NanakA. Muslim Invasions Cause Extreme Strife Between Islam and Hinduism

1. Islamic Presence Strongest in Punjab, Northwestern India2. Islam and Hinduism Seemingly Antithetical Religions

B.Nanak Seeks to Bridge Divide Between Muslim and Hindu1. Kabir (1440-1518 C.E.) as Forerunner of Nanak

a. Born Muslim but Worshipped Hindu Deitiesb. Believed God is One, Worshipped Many Waysc. Revered as Holy Man by Hindus and Muslims

2. Nanak (1469-1538 C.E.) Carries on Kabirs Missiona. Born Hindu but Educated by Muslim Schoolmasterb. Leaves Family, Goes to Sultanpurc. Receives Vision from God and Prophetic Mandate

to Teach True Religion: There is no Muslim andthere is no Hindu.

d. Nanak and Partner Mardana Wander India andPreach Essential Unity of Islam and Hinduism

e. Nanak forms Communities of Disciples (Punjabiword meaning Sikh) all Over India

f. Nanak Returns to Punjab and Forms MoreCommunities

g. The Legend of Nanaks Death: Fostering Unity andHarmony Between Hindus and Muslims


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III.The Teachings of NanakA. Attempts Synthesis of Islamic and Hindu Religion

1. Emphasizes Islamic Belief that God is One, The True Name2. Teaches Hindu Doctrine of Reincarnation

a. One God Eventually Freeing People from Cycle ofBirth-Death

b. Many Sikhs Believe Spirit of Nanak wasReincarnated in Bodies of Gurus who Succeed Him

in Later Tradition

3. Teaches Hindu Doctrine ofkarmaB.

Rejects Elements of Both Islam and Hinduism

1. Rejects Hindu Doctrine ofahimsa, Emphasizes HumanPrimacy in the Order of the One Gods Creation

2. Rejects Hindu and Muslim Ritual and Ceremony, AdvocatesSimple and Plain Religion

3. Advocates Pacifism in Opposition to Both Islamic and HinduTraditions

IV.The Historical Development of SikhismA. Angad and the First Four Gurus (Leaders)

1. Angad, the First in Series of Ten Gurus, Rules Until 15522. First Four Gurus Follow Teachings of Nanak and Retain his

Pacifism

B. Arjan Dev (1581-1606 C.E.), the Fifth Guru, Changes Sikhism1. Begins the Compilation of theAdi Granth, the Official Sikh

Scriptures

a. TheAdi Granth Contains Hymns by Nanak, Kabir,and other Gurus

b. Contains 3,384 Hymnsc. Three Times the Size of the Rig-Veda


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2. Arjan Militarizes Sikhisma. Growth of Sikhism Threatened Muslim Rulersb. Muslim Emperor Orders Arjan to Remove from

Granth Anything Contrary to Quran

c.

Arjan Refuses and is Tortured to Deathd. Before Death Arjan Instructs Son, Har Gobind, theSixth Guru, to Arm Himself and Have Bodyguards

3. Builds Golden Temple at Armistrar

C. Gobind Singh, the Last Sikh Guru (1675-1708 C.E.)1. Father, the Ninth Guru, Executed by Muslims2.

Completely Forfeits Nanaks Pacifism

a. Prepared Sikhs to be Warrior Religionb. Introduces Worship of the Hindu Death Goddess

Durga into Sikhismc. Introduces Baptism of the Sword as Rituald. Develops Elite Class of Warriors within Sikhism

Called the Singhs (Lions)

(1)Wear Long Hair and Beards(2)Adorn Hair with Combs (kangha)(3)Wear Short Pants (kachk)(4)Wear Steel Braclet (kara)(5)Equipped with Steel Dagger (kirpan)(6)Not Allowed to Use Any Intoxicant(7)Encouraged to Eat Meat(8)Open to Men of all Castes(9)Theology of Reincarnation Emboldens Sikh

Warriors

3. Establishes Granth as Final Religious Word, Thereby EndingGuru Tradition

4. Assassinated in 1708 C.E., History of Violence Followsa. Sikhs Both Aggressors and Victimsb. Sikh Control of Punjab in Early Phase of British

Colonial Takeover Leads to Many Bloody Wars

c. British Respect Sikhs, Use Them as Policemen andWarriors All Over India During the Raj


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V. Divisions Within SikhismA. Commonalities Between All Sikh Sects

1.

Accept the Central Teachings of Nanak

2. Accept the Granth as Sacred Scripture3. Accept the Ten Gurus as Inspired Leaders

B. The Singhs: Warrior ClassC. The Udasis: Sect of Sikh Holy Men

1. Follow Many of Same Principles as Ascetics of Hindu,Buddhist, and Jain Traditions

2. Practice Celibacy3. Wear Coarse Yellow Garments Like Buddhists or Go Naked

Like Jain Monks

4. Shave Heads and Beards5. Often Active Missionaries

D. The Sahajdharis: Conservative, Slow-Going1. Stopped Developing Prior to the Rule of Gobind Singh2. Reject Military Characteristics of Much of Sikhism3. Shave Beards

VI.Sikh Religious LifeA. Rituals and Ceremonies Simple and MinimalB. Initiation Ritual: Baptism Ritual, not a Sikh by Birth

1. Bowl of Sweetened Water Stirred with Dagger2. Initiate Sprinkled with Water, Instructed in Sikh Beliefs and

Practices


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C. Daily Rituals1. Early Morning Bath2. Reading Hymns and Reciting Prayers3. Night Hymns and Prayers

D. Congregational Worship1. Meet in Gurdwaras (Temples)2. Gurdwaras Contain Copies ofGranth3. Prayers, Hymns, Sermon, Communal Meal4.

No Sikh Priests

5. No Caste or Sexual Differences in Worship ServicesE. The Takht(Throne) of Sikhism at Amristar

1. Located in the Golden Temple2. Sikh Leaders Gather to Make Decisions about Sikh Life3. Sikhs Pilgrimage to Amristar

VII. Sikh Holy DaysA.North India Sikhs Celebrate Holi and Divali with HindusB. June Commemoration of the Martyrdom of Guru ArjanC. Celebrate Birthdays of Nanak and Arjan

VIII. Sikhism TodayA. Precarious Minority in Punjab

1. Lack Political Strength2. Radical Sikhs Demand Punjab Independence, Risk Military

Conflict with Government of India


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B. Westerners Attracted to Sikhism Due to Its Simplicity, Tolerance, andEmphasis on Gender Equality

Key Names, Concepts, and Terms

Punjab sikh Kabir

Nanak Adi Granth The True NameGuru Singhs Arjan DevGobind Singh Sahajdharis Udasis

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