Sikhism Synchronization of Hinduism and Islam

Basic Information Founded by Guru Nanak 15c  Gu, darkness; ru, enlightenment; sikh, learner  Guru: successors of Nanak (10),  sacred text,  God 23,000,000 Sikhs, Punjab, West India, 2,000,000 outside of India, (Recognizable by distinct turban) Attempts to reconcile Hinduism and Islam Kaur and Singh Monotheistic Salvation achieved by union with God and liberation from rebirth

Mythic Guru Nanak ◦ Hindu of the warrior caste ◦ Decided after mediation and a mystical experience to follow God’s path ◦ Built a township called Kartarpur, abode of the Creator, first Sikh community (Panth) ◦ Body disappeared at death 10 Successor Gurus Founding of Khalsa ◦ An order in Sikhism founded by Guru Gobind Singh  Installed the Adi Granth as the next Guru ◦ Based on the principle of loyalty

Experiential Union with God ◦ God’s grace enables us to perceive God and to respond in meditation on God’s nature ◦ Meditation on the divine name of God and repetition of his name is the path to spiritual perfection ◦ Blissful and forever, beyond the cycle of death and rebirth Liberation from samsara ◦ Result of union with God

Doctrinal Mool Mantra ◦ Beginning of the Adi Granth, a description of God  Creator, preserver and destroyer  Immanent, indwelling in creation ◦ Haumai  Humans insisting that they can do things on their own; lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride increase the distance to God ◦ Hukam  The divine order of the universe; God’s immanence is perceivable; God imposes His will on humans through Hukam

Ethical Four Prohibitions ◦ Prohibition against cutting of hair ◦ Eating improperly slaughtered meat ◦ Engaging in extramarital sexual relations ◦ Using tobacco

Ritual Ceremony of Initiation into Khalsa ◦ 14 years old ◦ Possess the 5 K’s (Uncut hair, a comb, iron wrist guard, sword or knife, pair of shorts) ◦ Acceptance of the basic principles of Sikhism ◦ Sprinkling of nectar and recitation of the Mool Mantra ◦ Instruction on ethical requirements ◦ Share special cake Meditation on the divine Name Worship practices in the gurdwara ◦ Minarets, white paint ◦ Congregate to worship ◦ Evening, no particular day  Bathing, singing, reading from scripture, eating cake ◦ Kitchen for community

Social Panth ◦ Name given to the entire Sikh community Khalsa ◦ An order within Sikhism that requires a particular purity. ◦ Initiation into the order is ceremonial ritual

Material Five K’s ◦ Uncut hair, knife or sword, comb, iron wrist guard, pair of shorts Food ◦ Special cake; wheat, ghee, sugar, water- symbolizes unity within the community Gurdwara ◦ Central structure of a Sikh community ◦ Holds the Adi Granth Adi Granth ◦ Compiled by the 5 th Guru as the sacred scripture ◦ Installed as the next Guru by Guru Gobind Singh ◦ Holds a special seat in the Gurdwara ◦ Written in Punjabi