How Much Do You Know About Sikhism?

Sikhism: A Summary of its Origins, Teachings, and Practices

• Sikhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent in the late 15th century CE.

• It is the most recently founded major organized faith and the fifth-largest religion worldwide, with approximately 25-30 million adherents known as Sikhs.

• Sikhism developed from the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak and the nine Sikh gurus who succeeded him, with the tenth guru, Gobind Singh, naming the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib as his successor.

• The core beliefs of Sikhism include faith and meditation in the name of the one creator, divine unity and equality of all humankind, engaging in selfless service, striving for justice for the benefit and prosperity of all, and honest conduct and livelihood while living a householder's life.

• Sikhism rejects the claim that any particular religious tradition has a monopoly on Absolute Truth and emphasizes meditation and remembrance of the teachings of Gurus through simran and kirtan.

• The religion developed and evolved in times of religious persecution, gaining converts from both Hinduism and Islam, with Mughal rulers of India torturing and executing two of the Sikh gurus.

• The Khalsa was founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 as an order to protect the freedom of conscience and religion, with members expressing the qualities of a Sant-Sipāhī ('saint-soldier').

• Sikhism is a monotheistic religion with pantheistic elements, advocating the belief in One Universal God signified by the term Ik Onkar.

• The doctrine of Miri-Piri has been practiced in Sikh religion since the seventeenth century, with the Mir representing social and political aspects of life and the Pir representing guides to spiritual aspects of life.

• Sikhism emphasizes Bhakti (devotion to Waheguru) and the integration of spiritual life and secular householder life.

• The singing of Gurbani through Shabad Kirtan is a powerful way to achieve tranquility while meditating and come in communion with the Supreme Timeless One.

• The human's goal in Sikhism is to end all dualities of self and other, attain the attendant balance of separation-fusion, self-other, action-inaction, attachment-detachment, in the course of daily life.Key Teachings and Practices of Sikhism

• Baptised Sikhs (Amritdharis) rise early and meditate, then recite all the Five Banis of Nitnem, before breakfast.

• Remembrance of the Divine Name (Naam) Waheguru is a key practice in Sikhism, done through Nām Japna or Naam Simran.

• Service in Sikhism takes three forms: Tan (physical service), Man (mental service), and Dhan (material service).

• Sikhism regards God as the true king and the one who dispenses justice through the law of karma and divine grace.

• Sikhism does not differentiate religious obligations by sex, and women have been in positions of leadership.

• The traditions and philosophy of Sikhism were established by ten Gurus from 1469 to 1708, with the Gurū Granth Sāhib as the final and perpetual Guru of the Sikhs.

• The Akal Takht serves as the supreme decision-making centre of Sikhism, and a gurmatā is an order passed by the Sarbat Ḵẖālsā in the presence of the Gurū Granth Sāhib.

• The Guru Granth Sahib is the primary scripture for Sikhs and is regarded as the living Guru.

• The vision in the Guru Granth Sahib is a society based on divine justice without oppression of any kind.

• The copies of the Guru Granth Sahib are not regarded as material objects but as living subjects which are alive.

• The Sikh scriptures use Hindu terminology and references to gods and goddesses in Hindu bhakti movement traditions, but not for worship.

• The Dasam Granth is important to many Sikhs but does not have the same authority as the Guru Granth Sahib.Overview of Sikhism

• Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century.

• The holy scripture of Sikhism is the Guru Granth Sahib, which is considered the eternal Guru of the Sikhs.

• The Dasam Granth, a text containing versions of Hindu mythology and secular stories, is controversial and debated among Sikhs.

• Janamsakhis are biographies of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, but are not held in the same regard as other sources of scriptural knowledge.

• Observant Sikhs adhere to daily practices such as reciting prayers and attending the gurdwara, which is open to all regardless of religion, background, caste, or race.

• Worship in a gurdwara consists of singing passages from the scripture and participating in the community meal known as Langar.

• Sikh festivals/events include Vaisakhi, which is one of the most important festivals of Sikhs, and other significant festivals that commemorate the lives of the Gurus and Sikh martyrs.

• Baptized Sikhs wear five items called the Five Ks at all times, which have both practical and symbolic purposes.

• The Khalsa is the collective name given to fully initiated Sikhs who have undergone the ammrit sañcār ceremony, and they wear the last names Singh or Kaur.

• Sikhism has roots in the Sant-tradition of India and was influenced by the Bhakti movement.

• After its inception, Sikhism grew as it gained converts among Hindus and Muslims in the Punjab region, and the Guruship was passed down to Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das, and Guru Ram Das.

• Guru Ram Das founded the city of Amritsar, which is the holiest city of Sikhism.A Brief History of Sikhism

• Guru Arjan built the first Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple) and created the first edition of Sikh sacred text known as the Ādi Granth.

• Guru Hargobind became the sixth Guru of the Sikhs and carried two swords, calling one spiritual and the other for temporal purpose, and built an armed Sikh militia.

• Guru Gobind Singh inaugurated the Khalsa as the Sikh temporal authority and proclaimed the Gurū Granth Sāhib as the ultimate spiritual authority for the Sikhs.

• The Sikh Khalsa's rise to power began in the 17th century during a time of growing militancy against Mughal rule.

• Ranjit Singh achieved a series of military victories and created a Sikh Empire in 1799.

• The Sikh Empire, with its capital in Lahore, spread over almost 200,000 square miles comprising what is now northwestern Indian subcontinent.

• The Singh Sabha movement, a movement to revitalize Sikhism, saw the resurgence of the Khalsa after their defeat in wars with the British and the subsequent decline and corruption of Sikh institutions during colonial rule.

• Sikhs participated and contributed to the decades-long Indian independence movement in the first half of the 20th century.

• The land was partitioned into Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan (East and West) in 1947.

• Sikhs moved en masse to the Indian side, leaving behind their property and holy sites, and suffered organized violence and riots against them in West Pakistan.

• Sikhs engaged in reprisals against Muslims in the eastern side of the partition line, forcing them into Pakistan.

• The Sikh leaders sought a United India where Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims would live together, under a Swiss-style constitution.

Test your knowledge of Sikhism with this informative quiz! From its origins in the Punjab region to its core beliefs and practices, this quiz covers a range of topics related to Sikhism. Learn about the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak and the development of Sikhism amidst religious persecution. Dive into key practices, beliefs, and scriptures, and discover the significance of the Khalsa and the Guru Granth Sahib. Whether you're a Sikh or simply interested in learning more about this fascinating religion, this quiz