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Sikhism

Sikhism. Objectives . Students will be able to: I dentify the key concepts and traditions Sikhism D escribe the purpose and practices of Sikhism C ompare and contrast the beliefs of Sikhism to other major religions. What is Sikhism?. M onotheistic religion 500 years old

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Sikhism

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  1. Sikhism

  2. Objectives Students will be able to: • Identify the key concepts and traditions Sikhism • Describe the purpose and practices of Sikhism • Compare and contrast the beliefs of Sikhism to other major religions.

  3. What is Sikhism? • Monotheistic religion • 500 years old • 20 million followers

  4. Seeks to make religion a uniting rather than dividing force “There is no Muslim, there is no Hindu; all are equal human beings because they are the children of the same Father, God.“ – Guru Nanak

  5. The founder of Sikhism • Guru Nanak (1469-1538) • He was raised a Hindu • Questioned aspects of Hinduism • Learned Arabic and studied the Koran from a mullah (Muslim teacher)

  6. He went to bathe in theBein, but did not return. • When he returned he did not speak until he finally said: ‘There is no Hindu or Muslim. So whose path shall I follow? God is neither Hindu nor Muslim and the path I shall follow is God’s.’

  7. God told Nanak to sing his praises night and day. • Nanak’s best friend, Mardana (a Muslim), composed music for him. • Guru Nanak went on “preaching tours” to spread the word of god throughout South Asia.

  8. Guru Nanak’s Death • When Guru Nanak was near death they asked him if he wanted to be cremated (a Hindu custom) or buried (a Muslim custom). • He wanted to be placed under a sheet with flowers on each side.

  9. They preformed Guru Nanak’s wishes when he died. • Guru Nanak’s body disappeared! (Thought to have been taken by God)

  10. Beliefs • One God • Equality of all human beings • Karma and reincarnation • The spirit of the Guru Nanak continued for 200 years through a succession of ten human gurus…

  11. 2nd guru (Angad Dev) developed written form of Punjabi language for recording hymns • 3rd guru (Amar Das) instituted the community kitchen to feed all in need • 4th guru (Ram Das) built the Sikh holy city of Amritsar (in Punjab) • 5th guru (Arjun Dev) built the Golden Temple in Amritsar as the center of the Sikh world; also compiled hymns of the earlier gurus, creating the Sikh holy book: AdiGranth

  12. 5th guru was martyred • 6th guru (HarGobind) began a tradition of training Sikhs in martial arts to protect those persecuted for their religion (Sikh, Hindu or otherwise) • 7th guru (HarRai) best known for opening hospitals and offering free medical treatment to those in need • 8th guru (HarKrishan) was just a child but continued caring for the sick • 9th guru (TeghBahadur) worked to combat religious persecution, ultimately became the 2nd Sikh martyr

  13. The Khalsa • Today, the Khalsa is simply the community of the faithful • Amrit ceremony as baptism and initiation into the Khalsa (male and female, must be at least16 years of age) • Khalsa members take a new last name: Singh (“lion”) for men, Kaur (“princess”) for women • Khalsa members wear the “Five K’s” as symbols of their faith…

  14. (1) Kesh • Kesh is hair. Sikhs promise not to cut their hair but let it grow as a symbol of their faith. Because during their lifetimes it will get very long they wear turbans to keep it tidy. • They believe that this demonstrates their obedience to God. A Sikh putting on a Turban

  15. (2) Kangha • The Kangha is a small wooden comb. It keeps the hair fixed in place, and is a symbol of cleanliness. Combing their hair reminds Sikhs that their lives should be tidy and organised. The Kangha

  16. (3) The Kara • The kara is a steel bangle worn on the arm. It is a closed circle with no beginning and no end...as with God there is no beginning and no end. • It is a reminder to behave well, keep faith and restrain from wrong doing. Wearing it will remind a sikh of his duties. The Kara

  17. (4) The Kachera • These are short trousers worn as underwear. They were more practical than the long, loose clothes most people in India wore at the time of Guru Gobind Singh. • The Guru said they were a symbol that Sikhs were leaving old ideas behind, following new better ones. The Kachera

  18. (5) The Kirpan • The warriors sword. These days a very tiny one is worn as a symbol of dignity and self respect. • It demonstrates power and reminds sikhs that they must fight a spiritual battle, defend the weak and oppressed, and uphold the truth. The Kirpan

  19. The Gurdwara– the Sikh temple • “Door to the Guru,” housing andhonoring the Guru Granth Sahib • A “Granthi” (priest) is caretaker of the Gurdwara and the holy book as well as spiritual leader of the community

  20. The Gurdwara– the Sikh temple • Contains a kitchen and dining hall (for Langar) and prayer hall for singing of Kirtan (hymns) from the holy book. • Open daily (in India) with continuous reading and singing from holy book,serving food to all who come. • Following worship, all partake in the Langar, sitting (on the floor) and eating a meal together (equality)

  21. Sikh holy days and ceremonies • Vaisakhi: April 13th, anniversary of founding of the Khalsa • Guru Nanak’s birthday (November) • Baby naming • Amrit/Baptism (Initiation into Khalsa) • Marriage (Anand Karaj): takes place in the Gurdwara with the community before the Guru Granth • Death: cremation of body

  22. The Sikh way of life • Mediation and personal prayer morning and evening • Honest and hard work • Charity • Service to humanity, God, and guru • Strong family values • Strong identity with the Sikh community • Khalsa members abstain from smoking, drinking and drugs

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