INTRODUCTION TO SIKHISM
| Sikhism, the youngest of the world religions, is barely five hundred years
old. Its founder, Guru Nanak, was born in 1469. Guru Nanak spread a simple message of
"Ek Ong Kar": we are all one, created by the One Creator of all Creation. This
was at a time when India was being torn apart by castes, sectarianism, religious factions,
and fanaticism. He aligned with no religion, and respected all religions. He expressed the
reality that there is one God and many paths, and the Name of God is Truth, "Sat
Nam". |
|
World Religions |
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|
|
| Christianity |
2 b |
| Islam |
1.3 b |
| Hinduism |
900 m |
| Buddhism |
360 m |
| Chinese Trad. |
225 m |
| Primal-indig. |
190 m |
| Sikhism |
23 m |
| Yoruba |
20 m |
| Juche |
19 m |
| Spiritism |
14 m |
| Judaism |
14 m |
| Bahi |
6 m |
source:
adherents.com |
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Guru Nanak's followers were Sikhs (seekers of truth). He
taught them to bow only before God, and to link themselves to the Guru, the Light of
Truth, who lives always in direct consciousness of God, experiencing no separation.
Through words and example, the Guru demonstrates to followers how to experience God within
themselves, bringing them from darkness into light. Guru Nanak was a humble bearer of this
Light of Truth. He opposed superstition, injustice, and hypocrisy and inspired seekers by
singing divine songs which touched the hearts of the most callous listeners. These songs
were recorded, and formed the beginnings of the Sikhs' sacred writings, later to become
the "Siri Guru Granth Sahib".
Guru Nanak taught his way of life:
Nam Japa - To get up each day before sunrise,
to clean the body, meditate on God's Name and recite the Guru's hymns to clean the mind.
Throughout the day, continuously remember God's Name with every breath.
Dharam di Kirat Karni - To work and
earn by the sweat of the brow, to live a family way of life, and practice truthfulness and
honesty in all dealings.
Vand Ke Chakna - To share the fruits of
one's labor with others before considering oneself. Thus, to live as an inspiration and a
support to the entire community.
The Golden Chain
The foundation of Sikhism was laid down by Guru Nanak. Guru
Nanak infused his own consciousness into a disciple, who then became Guru, subsequently
passing the light on to the next, and so on. The word "Guru" is derived from the
root words "Gu", which means darkness or ignorance, and "Ru", which
means light or knowledge The Guru is the experience of Truth (God).
Each one of the ten Gurus represents a divine attribute:
Guru Nanak- Humility
Guru Angad - Obedience
Guru Amar Das —
Equality
Guru Ram Das -
Service
Guru Arjan - Self-Sacrifice
Guru Hargobind -
Justice
Guru Har Rai -
Mercy
Guru Harkrishan -
Purity
Guru Tegh Bahadur -
Tranquility
Guru Gobind Singh -
Royal Courage
Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Guru, exemplified the Sikh
ideal of the Soldier-Saint. He was also an inspired and prolific writer, courageous
warrior, and a source of Divine Wisdom to his Sikhs. "When all other means have
failed," he said, "only then is it righteous to take up the sword." He was
the defender of the poor, the meek, and the oppressed masses of India.
The Making of the Khalsa
Guru Gobind Singh was the last Guru of the Sikhs in human
form. He created the Khalsa, a spiritual brotherhood and sisterhood devoted to purity of
thought and action. He gave the Khalsa a distinctive external form to remind them of their
commitment, and to help them maintain an elevated state of consciousness. Every Sikh
baptized as Khalsa vows to wear the Five "K's": more...
For additional information on the Sikh
you can also view the following recommended resources:
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