Sikhism Religion of the Gurus

Terms Panth-general assembly of the Sikhs Adi Granth- Sikh bible Gudwaras- buildings for worship –Include hostel for transients, community kitchen Khalsa- the pure, 5 Ks Khalsa Dal- society of the pure, a militant group seeking an independent state in India. Punjab, India-home of most Sikhs.

Guru Nanak Founder, Rejected Hindu worship practices, and attempted to reconcile religions of Hindu/Islam Was taken up into heaven where he meets God, the True Name, the formless one. Teaches it is in the repetition of God’s name that one overcomes ego and is brought into union with God Taught Samsara exists, and man is to choose life with God over self absorbing ego.

Japji A composition repeated each morning by Sikhs. “There is but one God whose name is True, the Creator, devoid of fear and enmity, immortal, unborn, self-existent, great and bountiful. The True One was in the beginning, the True One was in the primal age. The True One is, was, O Nanak and the True One also shall be.” –First proclaimed after Nanak was face to face with God, the True One.

Samsara To overcome, one must face Haumai- egoism and maya-desire for life in this world which both accumulate Karma. If you think only of God and repeat his name you will be absorbed by God. Nanak-Sufi Muslims agree; “God dwells in the world and in every human heart” Repetition of God’s name is more valuable than rituals and worship

Adi Granth Sikh sacred text After death of Guru Singh it becomes the Guru and is all that is needed

Guru Gobind Singh 10 th Guru and last, Called to defend the Truth Asked Sikhs to stand firm against Muslims Establishes Khalsa- “the pure” 5 Ks –Kesh, long uncut hair –Kangha; comb –Kachh; short drawers –Kara; steel bracelet –Kirpan; the sword

Initiation Pledge to worship the one invisible God To revere the one visible holy object The Adi Granth, and pray To honor the gurus To rise before dawn to bathe in cold water To obstain from stimulants, alcohol, tobacco Initiated at puberty –Girls are called Kaur, or princess –Open to all caste/class –5 K’s

Political Sikhs while originally trying to reconcile Hinduism and Islam have found themselves looked at suspiciously in India India’s independence was tragic for Sikhs –Leave farmland in Pakistan to homesteads in India 2,500,000 Sikhs were effected. –Lost holy places, Nanak’s birthplace in Pakistan –Sikh separatists responsible for assassinations of Indira Gandhi in 1984, and the leader of Gandhi’s Congress Party in 1987 “loyalty to one’s religion” –1991 Khalsi Dal violence resulted in 5000 deaths and cancellation of elections in Punjab. –1995 Punjab Minister Beant Singh was assassinated