By: Gurveer, Parteek, Jeremy, and Diljaan Sikhism By: Gurveer, Parteek, Jeremy, and Diljaan

Historical Background Information Sikhism was founded in Talwandi Sabo, now known as Nankana Sahib. It was born in the year 1469 A.D. The first founder of Sikhism is Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Along with him there where 9 other Guru’s. The Guru Granth Sahib was written by Guru Gobind Singh Ji as it is our holy book. The Guru Granth Sahib is also counted as a Guru. Sikhism is 500 years old.

Troubles Sikhs had to overcome In 1984 their was a Sikh holocaust. The violence lasted four days in a row. The violence was triggered by the assassination of the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31 1984. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards because of Operation Bluestar. Operation Bluestar was an military attack on tone of the most holiest sikh shrines the Golden Temple to removed Sikh separatists. This Resulted in thousands of innocent deaths.

Troubles Sikhs had to overcome Sikhs also had to overcome the Partition of India. The Partition was the separation from India into Pakistan. This involved many deaths with the number around hundred thousand to one million. Most of the deaths based demographically were Sikhs and Hindus. The Indian province of Punjab was split in the Partition which is the homeland of Sikhs.

uG Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Amar Das Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Har Gobind Ji, Guru Har Rai Ji, Guru Krishan Ji, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and our holy book the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Basic Beliefs The Sikh turban symbolizes discipline, integrity and spirituality. The turban is a mandatory part of the Sikh faith, not a social custom or a hat that can be taken on or off. Ek Onkar means there is only one god who is the creator. Simran and Sewa are the foundations of Sikhism. It is the duty for every Sikh to practice the Naam Simran daily.

Basic Beliefs It is also the duty of every Sikh to engage in sewa at all times. Sewa is to help and offer free service to anyone in need. Sikhism recognizes god as the only one he is the creator of the universe, fearless, not subjected to time or space and does not take birth or die. Sikhism clearly states that god doesn’t take birth as a human. Also, Sikhism doesn’t recognize any other god’s or goddesses.

Sacred Symbols, Texts and Places The khanda is like a “coat of arms” for Sikhs. The symbol was created by the Shromani gurdwara Parbandhak committee (SGPC). The circle in the symbol represents the Deg which is used to prepare food. The two swords on the outside represent the Miripiri, Doctrine of Sikhism. In the center is the khanda, the double-edged sword, used by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. In the symbol the sword on the left means truth, and the one on the right means willingness to fight what is right. The doubled edged sword in a metaphor of divine knowledge, it’s sharp edges cleaving truth from false hood.

The Khanda

Rituals Wedding the bride and groom walk around the Guru Granth Sahib 4 times to clarify the wedding. Babies name the parents go to the Gurdwara and the Guru Granth Sahib is randomly opened by the Granthi (priest). The family will choose the name by using the first letter of the hymn on the page opened. The Granthi will also add Singh (lion) as a surname for the baby boy and add Kaur (princess) for the baby girl.

Holidays Diwali is the festival of lights and good over evil. Diwali is celebrated on 13 of November this year. On Diwali you light small oil lamps and place them around your house. The lamps represent knowledge and ones inner light. Hola Mohalla or Hola is a 3 day festival of mock battles and military activities. Hola falls on March 9th. Guru Gobind Singh Ji held the first mock fight in Anandpur in February 1701 .

Celebrations and Ceremonies Vaisakhi is the new year for Sikhs the birth of Khalsa. Vaisakhi is held April, 13th. Vaisakhi celebrates the creation of the Panj Pyare (five loved ones) and Khalsa order by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Vaisakhi started in 1699. Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday celebrates the founder of Sikhism's birthday. On Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday we normally pray in the morning and celebrate at night.

Places of Worship Sikhs go to their holy temple the Gurdwara to share their religion. There are no specific locations as the Gurdwara’s are spread all around in different locations such as Canada and India. There a many sacred Sikh locations but the most famous one is the Harmandir Sahib a.k.a “The Golden Temple”. The design of the Gurdwara is typically an average temple with big stone pillars and they are very large and long.

Places of Worship Four doors to show that the gurdwara is open to all. The Nishan Sahib – a yellow triangular flag bearing the Sikh symbol of khanda flies from every gurdwara. The gurdwara features a large kitchen called the langar hall. In the langar hall food is cooked and given to everyone in the gurdwara to represent equality.

Role of Women The women are to be regarded as equal as the men. In Sikhism women are considered to have the same soul as men. Women are allowed to lead religious congregations. Sikh history has recorded the role of women, portraying them as pairs in service, devotion, sacrifice and bravery to men. According to Sikhism a man can not feel secure and complete during his life without a women. A gender discrimination in Sikh society has not been allowed.

2012 estimate: 28 million Sikhs worldwide

Demographics Sikhs make up 0.39% of the world. Out of 28 million 83% live in India and with 76% of all Sikhs living in Punjab. The spread of Sikhism occurred when Guru Nanak Dev Ji undertook various long journeys across the country and even beyond its territories which greatly escalated the spread of Sikhism. Guru Nanak’s sister Bibi Nankaki also spread Sikhism. To facilitate contribution of the spread of Sikhism Guru Nanak set up gurdwara’s places of warship for the Sikhs. Encouraged by the participation of the people. Every Guru had spread Sikhism to what it is today.

Works Cited Parents Grand Parents www.wikipedia.org www.sikhiwiki.org www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/ www.sikhphilosophy.net www.worldsikh.ca

Questions 1. What does the turban symbolize? 2.Where was Sikhism founded? 3.Who founded Sikhism? 4. What are the 5 K’s? 5.When is Vaisakhi held? 6. Where do Sikhs go to pray? 7.Sikh women are regarded to be what? 8. How many Sikhs are in the world? 9. Diwali is the festival of what? 10. It is the duty of every Sikh to engage in what? BONUS – Name all ten of the Gurus?