Sikhism

General Background

Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak in India in the 15th century. Nanak was born in 1469 in the village of Talwandi, near present-day Lahore, Pakistan. From his childhood, he was preoccupied by spiritual matters. Nanak's father tried to involve him in worldly affairs such as a marriage and a household, but Nanak resisted. His brother-in-law, Jai Ram, husband of his sister Nanaki, suggested he go to work in the town of Sultanpur. During this time, Nanak would work and then sing hymns at home. In the final watch of the night, he would go to the river to bathe. One morning, he entered the stream but did not emerge. After three days and three nights, he came out of the river, having had a divine experience. He is reported to have said, "There is neither Hindu nor Muslim."

He took Mardana the bard as a companion and went to live an ascetic life for a time. Between 1499 and 1521, Guru Nanak spent his time preaching the message he had received. The fundamental message was that there was only one God, True Name, and that all faiths worshiped him in their own names. Many miracles followed him as he traveled, especially in his trip to Mecca.

Nine gurus followed Nanak. When Guru Nanak died, his chosen successor, Angad, became the second Guru. Guru Arjun, the fifth guru, compiled the Adi Granth, which are the scriptures. At the time of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, the Mughal ruler of India was unfriendly to the Sikhs.

At this time, followers were instructed that they must be prepared to defend their right to their beliefs through military means. By the time of the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, the religion had been firmly established.

Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa, an order of "The Pure Ones" who would represent and defend the faith.

The eleventh guru is not a person, but is understood to be the scripture itself.

Modern Understandings

Within Sikhism, true religion is characterized by faith in God, love for fellow humans, mercy, humility, compassion, and righteousness.

The Guru Granth Sahib is the scripture of Sikhism. Guru Granth is the eternal Guru, True Name, because it is the pure word of God. This Guru, and the ten previous Gurus, are all the pure conduits for the word of the only God.

At the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the most holy of Sikh temples, a person reads the Granth aloud throughout the day.

How do current believers worship?

Originally a mark of the Khalsa, many Sikhs will keep "The Five K's" which are: uncut hair, a short sword or knife, a steel wristband, a wooden comb, and shorts worn as an undergarment. These symbols continually remind Sikhs of the ethical and spiritual implications of aligning one's life with truth.

Sikhs will have a meeting places known as the Gurdwara, which house the sacred scriptures called the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikh worship does not have complex rituals, but rather it is a gathering of the community to sing the sacred hymns. There is no priesthood system, but usually there is a granthi who is well trained in the scriptures. Any member of the congregation may speak and sing however. A gathering at the gurdwara ends with taking a sweet pudding called prashad as a divine gift of the guru. A communal meal is shared by all who come to the Gurdwara known as the Langar.