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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
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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, 1469-1539 • 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 • 10th Guru and last, 1666-1708 • 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. • 1947 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