|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
Sikhism
is ranked as the world's fifth largest religion. It began about
500 years ago by Guru Nanak and preaches a message of devotion and
remembrance to God at all times, truthful living and equality of
mankind and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is
open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the
Sikh Holy Book, Adi Granth
or Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Fundamental
Beliefs: Sikhs believe that God is Monistic or Non-dual. He is
the creator of the Universe, whose existence and continued
survival depends on His will. God is both Saguna
(with attributes) and Nirguna
(without attributes) and is called by names such as Sat
(truth), Sat Guru
(true Guru), Akal Purkh
(timeless being), Kartar
(creator) and Wahi-Guru
(praise to the God). Sikhism does not believe in incarnation of
God in the human form. However, belief in the ten Gurus -
spiritual guides who dispel ignorance and darkness is the
essential element of Sikh religion. It disapproves asceticism and
self-mortification as path to enlightenment. The only way to
achieve liberation (mukti)
from the cycle of birth and death is by being God-conscious (gurmukh).
Sikhs follow the path of japa
i.e. recitation of hymn, devotional prayers (kirtana)
and singing the names of God (e.g., Nam
Simran).
The
Khalsa: The concept of Khalsa,
literally meaning ‘the pure’, was introduced by Guru Gobind
Singh at Anandpur Sahib on the Baisakhi day of 13th April 1699.
He established this new fraternity with five followers
(later known as Panj Pyares),
who were baptized with amrit
as Khalsas. The
Khalsa symbolised coalescence of serenity and strength, purity and
power, shastra
(scripture) and shastra
(weapon), and the power of wisdom (jnana
shakti) and the power of action (kriya
shakti). It was made obligatory for every Sikh to wear the
Five K's - Kesha (long
hair), Kangha (comb), Kara
(steel bracelet), Kaccha
(short drawers) and Kirpan
(sword). The
year 1999 marked the tercentenary of the Khalsa Panth.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib: The Guru Granth Sahib (also known as the Adi Granth) is considered the Supreme Spiritual Authority and Head of the Sikh religion. It is perhaps the only scripture of its kind which not only contains the works of its own religious founders but also writings of people from other faiths. Guru Granth Sahib, containing 1430 pages, is a collection of devotional hymns and poetry which proclaims God, lays stress on meditation on the True Guru (God) and lays down moral and ethical rules for development of the soul, spiritual salvation and unity with God. The writings of the Gurus appear chronologically. Each of the Gurus signed their hymns as Nanak. Their compositions are identified by the numerals at the beginning of each hymn, i.e. Mahalla 1 is Guru Nanak, Mahalla 2 is Guru Angad and so on, followed by those of other 34 saints (Bhagtas) and other contributors. Guru Granth Sahib has 3,384 hymns, of which Guru Nanak Dev contributed 974 hymns including sloks and pauris, Guru Angad Dev contributed 62 sloks, Guru Amar Das contributed 907 hymns including sloks and pauris, Guru Ram Das contributed 679 hymns including sloks and pauris, Guru Arjan Dev contributed 2,218 hymns including sloks and pauris, Guru Tegh Bahadur contributed 59 hymns and 56 sloks, while Guru Gobind Singh contributed 1 slok. It also contains Bhagatas of Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas, Sheikh Farid, Trilochan, Dhanna, Beni, Sheikh Bhikan, Jaidev, Surdas, Parmanand, Pipa and Ramanand. The fifth Guru Arjan Dev began the great task of collection of the holy compositions as Sri (Amritsar) and compiled the Holy Granth Sahib. The tenth Guru Gobind Singhji ceded the Guru-Gaddi to Sri Guru Granth Sahib commanding that the Holy Book be henceforth regarded as the Eternal Guru of the Khalsa Panth.
|| About us|| Donation|| Advertisment|| Contact us|| Email|| Chat|| News|| Jainism|| Hinduism|| Sikhism|| Buddhism|| Guest book|| Home||
mailto:hbjain@hotmail.com