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A Brief Introduction to Sikhs and Sikhism . The word ‘Sikh’ is translated as a disciple, Sikhs are disciples of the 10 human Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib . Founder – Guru Nanak (1469 – 1539 CE ), born in the Punjab, North India.
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The word ‘Sikh’ is translated as a disciple, Sikhs are disciples of the 10 human Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib. • Founder – Guru Nanak (1469 – 1539 CE), born in the Punjab, North India. • GU RU – teacher. Light/dark. Therefore dispeller of darkness (ie IGNORANCE). • Sikhism developed in the Punjab, therefore the majority of the Panth is made up of Punjabi Sikhs. More recently, there have been many western non-Punjabi Sikhs entering the Panth – 3HO (Yogi Bhajan). • Early followers of the Gurus were Punjabi Hindus, the issue of identity is a subject that is a debated topic to the current day also - the constitution of India defines Sikhs as a type of Hindu. The break with Hinduism is a schism that is often debated and very often a sensitive issue.
Who is a Sikh? • The Rehat Maryada – which is a guide to the Sikh way of life, defines a Sikh as one who: • ““Worships one God only, does not indulge in idol worship. Lives a life based on the teachings of the ten Gurus, the Guru Granth Sahib, and other scriptures and teachings of the Gurus. A Sikh should believe in the “Oneness”of the ten Gurus, and should have no other religion.” [Rehat Maryada p. 12] • Namdhari implications of above • Constitution of India – “Hindus” • Sahajdhari Sikhs – Hindus? (Khushwant Singh)
