Outline of Sikhism

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following outline is provides an overview of Sikhism, or Sikhi (its endonym).

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion—emphasizing universal selflessness and brotherhood—founded in the 15th century upon the teachings of Guru Nanak and the ten succeeding Gurus. It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world,[1] and one of the fastest-growing.[2]

The sacred text and last Guru of Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib, teaches humans how to unite with the all cosmic soul; with God, the creator: "Only those who selflessly love everyone, they alone shall find God."

Scripture and literature[]

Part of a series on
Sikh scriptures
From a 17th-century copy of the Guru Granth Sahib
  • Sikhism
    • history
    • beliefs
  • Sikh
Guru Granth Sahib
Dasam Granth
Sarbloh Granth
Varan Bhai Gurdas
  • v
  • t
See also: Category:Sikh scripture

Scripture[]

  • Guru Granth Sahib — the sacred text and last Guru of Sikhism
    • Asa Di Var — 24 stanzas used as a morning prayer
    • Japji Sahib — the first 8 pages of the Guru Granth Sahib, consisting of hymns composed by Guru Nanak.
    • Kirtan Sohila
    • Laavaan — the four hymns of the Anand Karaj (Sikh wedding ceremony)
    • Mul Mantar — the opening words of the Guru Granth Sahib, citing the basic statement of creed in Sikhism.
    • Rehras — evening prayer
    • Sukhmani Sahib ('Psalm of Peace') — a popular set of hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib, divided into 24 sections
    • Ragmala
  • Dasam Granth — the secondary holy book of Sikhism
  • Sarbloh Granth — a voluminous scripture consisting of more than 6,500 poetic stanzas, considered as amalgamation of the writings of poets including Guru Gobind Singh.
  • Varan Bhai Gurdas — the name given to the 40 vaars (a form of Punjabi poetry) traditionally attributed to Bhai Gurdas, providing early concepts of Sikhism and Sikh living.[3]
  • Five Banis

Sikh literature[]

See also: Category:Sikh literature
  • Guru Maneyo Granth — historic statement of the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh
  • Janamsakhi — non-canonical history of Guru Nanak
    • Bala Janamsakhi — a collection of janamsakhis by Bhai Bala (generally accepted as authoritative).
    • Mani Singh Janamsakhi or — a collection dating from the time of the last Guru.
    • Miharban Janamsakhi — janamsakhis written by the followers of Prithi Chand.
    • Puratan Janamsakhi — an early collection of janamsakhis by an unknown author.
  • Panth Parkash — non-canonical Sikh history
  • Suraj Parkash — non-canonical Sikh history
  • Zafarnama — letter by Guru Gobind Singh to Aurangzeb

Associated terms[]

  • Ardās
  • — any of the writings that appear in the Guru Granth Sahib which were not written by the Gurus.
  • Gurbani (abbreviated as bani) — general term for Gurus' writings
  • Gutka — a small sized breviary or prayer book containing chosen hymns (banis) from Sikh scriptures
  • Nitnem — daily recitations
  • Paath
  • Savaiya — a form of poetry written in praise of someone, in which every verse is 1/4 times the length of a common verse.
  • Shabda — the hymns contained in Sikh scriptures.
  • Sloka — 'stanza'; the Sanskrit epic metre formed of 32 syllables: verses of 2 lines (distich) of 16 syllables each or in 4 half-lines (hemistich) of 8 syllables each.

Philosophy and beliefs[]

Sikh beliefs
  • 1a. Simran (spiritual contemplation)
  • 1b. Sewa (selfless service)
  • 2. Three Pillars
    • 2a. Naam Japo (contemplating God's names) Meditating on God's name to control the five evils and living a satisfying life.
    • 2b. Kirat Karo (work diligently) Earning/making a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud
    • 2c. Vand Chhako Sharing with others, helping those with less or those who are in need
  • 3. Five Thieves
    • 3a. Kaam (lust)
    • 3b. Krodh (anger)
    • 3c. Lobh (greed)
    • 3d. Moh (attachment, e.g. to material things or people)
    • 3e. Hankaar (ego, pride)
  • 4. Five Virtues
  • v
Main article: Sikh philosophy

Relation to other religions[]

  • Hinduism and Sikhism
  • Islam and Sikhism
  • Jainism and Sikhism

Practices and culture[]

Part of a series on
Sikh practices and discipline
Foundations of Practice
Discipline
Daily Prayers and Hymns
Communal Practices
Liturgical Practices
Sanskars
  • v
  • t
Main articles: Sikh discipline and Category:Sikh practices
  • Amrit — elixir of immortality; the sanctified nectar or sugar water substitute used in ceremonies. It is prepared by stirring it in an iron bowl with the double-edged sword and continuous recitation of five banis by the five selected members of the Khalsa.
  • Dasvand — a kind of Sikh tithe; the act of donating 10% of one's harvest, both financially and in the form of time and service (i.e., seva) to the Gurdwara and community.
  • Five Ks — five articles of faith worn by baptised, or khalsa, Sikhs:
    • Kesh — uncut hair
    • Kangha — a comb
    • Kara — a circular iron bracelet
    • Kirpan — a small dagger
    • Kachera — special underwear short
  • Kirtan — musical recitation
  • Langar — communal kitchen where free food is distributed to all comers
  • Naam Japo — meditation on the name of God
    • Jaap — 'recitation'
  • Prohibitions (kurahit kurahat), including:
    • Cutting, trimming, shaving or removing hairs from one’s body — Sikhs practice kesh, allowing their hair to grow out naturally in respect to God's creation
    • Intoxication
    • Castism
    • Kutha meat — eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (particularly halal or kosher meat), or any meat where langar is served (except jatkha meat).
  • Seva — selfless service
    • Sevadar — one who volunteers
    • Kar seva
    • Kar sevak
  • Sikh Rehat Maryada — code of conduct

Sikh ceremonies[]

  • Anand Karaj ('blissful union, joyful union') — the Sikh marriage ceremony, first introduced by Guru Amar Das.
  • Akhand Path — continuous reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, either in honour of a particular occasion or simply to increase one’s feeling of connection to God. Akhand Paths can be held, for example, in honour of a birth/birthday, wedding/anniversary, recovery from a medical operation, death, or a historic occasion; to celebrate the achievement of a goal such as a graduation or passing the driving test; or in chasing away evil spirits and curses, etc.
  • Amrit Sanchar — baptism into the Khalsa tradition
  • Antam Sanskar — funeral rites
  • Naam Karan — child's naming ceremony
  • Sadharan Paath

Sikh festivals[]

Main article: Sikh Festivals
  • Bandi Chhor Divas — a celebration during Diwali
  • Gurpurab — the celebration of an anniversary of a Guru's birth, particularly that of Guru Nanak.
  • Guru Ladho Re Diwas
  • Mela Maghi
  • Nagar Kirtan
  • Vasakhi — a festival during late Spring

General sikh culture[]

  • Dastar — turban (pagri); an inseparable part of Sikh dress that is mandatory for Sikh males according to Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh Rehat Maryada.
  • Diet in Sikhism
  • Gatka — Sikh martial art
  • Idolatry in Sikhism
  • Karah Parshad
  • Khanda — an Indian-double edged sword that is used as the primary symbol of the Sikh faith. It appears on the Nishan Sahib that flies over gurdwaras.
  • Kirtan — musical recitation
  • Nanakshahi calendar — the calendar used in Sikhism
    1. Chet
    2. Vaisakh
    3. Jeth
    4. Harh
    5. Sawan
    6. Bhadon
    7. Assu
    8. Katak
    9. Maghar
    10. Poh
    11. Magh
    12. Phagun
  • Punjabi language
    • Gurmukhi — the written form of Punjabi used in the Sikh scriptures (and in Punjab, India, more generally) propagated by Guru Nanak and Guru Angad. It is contrast to shahmukhi, which is the Islamic script for Punjabi (used in Punjab, Pakistan).
    • Sant Bhasha
  • Ragi — Sikh musician who performs hymns
  • Sikhism and sexual orientation

Sikh geography[]

Map of Ranjit Singh's empire at its peak.
Map of Punjab Province (British India), 1909
Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple) at night, in Amritsar, India
See also: Category:Sikh places
  • Akal Takhat ('Eternal Throne') — nominal seat of Sikh temporal/political authority.
  • Amritsar — the holy city of Sikhism, home to 1.5 million in the northwestern part of India.
    • Harmandir Sahib (or Golden Temple) — the holy shrine of Sikhs; the spiritual and cultural center of the Sikh religion, found in Amritsar.
  • Anandpur Sahib — the birthplace of the Khalsa
  • Goindval Sahib
  • Kartarpur — seat of Guru Nanak's first school.
  • Nankana Sahib — birthplace of Guru Nanak
  • Patna Sahib
  • Samadhi of Ranjit Singh — a building in Lahore, Pakistan that houses the funerary urns of Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh
  • Takht

Sikhism by country[]

Main article: Sikh diaspora

Gurdwaras[]

Main articles: Gurdwara and Category:Gurdwaras
The Harmandir Sahib, Sikh Gurdwara and spiritual centre at Amritsar, India.
Nishan Sahib

In India[]

Main article: Gurdwaras in India

The Harmandir Sahib (or Golden Temple) is the holy shrine of Sikhs; the spiritual and cultural center of the Sikh religion, found in Amritsar. The Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is the organization responsible for the management of gurdwaras in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, and the union territory of Chandigarh

Other gurdwaras in India include:

In the United States[]

Main article: Gurdwaras in the United States

Gurdwaras in Pakistan[]

Main article: Gurdwaras in Pakistan
  • Kartarpur — seat of Guru Nanak's first school.
  • Nankana Sahib — birthplace of Guru Nanak.

Other gurdwaras[]

  • Central Sikh Temple — the first gurdwara in Singapore
  • Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall (London)

Other Sikh institutions[]

Sikh politics, military, and administration[]

See also: Category:Sikh politics

Organizations[]

Ghadar Party flag

Military[]

Movements[]

  • Akali movement
  • Babbar Akali movement
  • Ghadar movement
  • Khalistan movement — a separatist movement to create a Sikh homeland,[4][5] often named Khālistān (Punjabi: ਖ਼ਾਲਿਸਤਾਨ, Hindi: ख़ालिस्तान, 'Land of the Khalsa'), composed of the Punjab region of modern-day India and Pakistan.[6][7]
  • Singh Sabha Movement

History of Sikhism[]

Main articles: History of Sikhism, Category:History of Sikhism, and History of Punjab
  • 1469–1539 — birth of Guru Nanak
  • 1699 — Khalsa Sajana Divas
  • 1707–1799 — Sikh Confederacy
    • 1752–1801 — Sukerchakia
  • 1746 — Chhota Ghallughara ('small massacre') — a massacre of a significant proportion of the Sikh population by the Mughal Empire, in which Jaspat Rai's brother Lakhpat Rai with the Mughal army killed an estimated 7,000 Sikhs died.
  • 1762 — Vadda Ghalughara ('large massacre') — a mass-murder of unarmed Sikhs by the Afghan forces of the Durrani Empire, during the years of Afghan influence in the Punjab region.
  • 1799–1849 — Sikh Empire
    • 1845–46 — First Anglo-Sikh War
    • 1848–49 — Second Anglo-Sikh War
  • 1897 — Battle of Saragarhi — a last-stand battle during the British Raj
  • 1919 April 13 — Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre (or Amritsar Massacre)
  • 1920–25 — Akali movement
  • 1984 June 1–8 — Operation Blue Star — a military operation inside the Harmandar Sahib
  • 1984 November — 1984 anti-Sikh riots
  • 2012 August 5 — Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting

Battles[]

People[]

Sikh man in turban

Sikhs are members of the Sikh religion. A sangat is a society or congregation of Sikhs.

Titles and labels[]

Main article: Sikh titles
  • Amritdhari — baptized Sikh; anyone who has been initiated into the Khalsa, according to Sikh Reht Maryada.
  • Brahmgiani — highly enlightened individual who has obtained the ultimate blessings of Waheguru.
  • Granthi
  • Gurmukh — a person who is spiritually centered. A person who lives within the will of God and accepts all good and bad that happens to one's self without question or annoyance. A gurmukh stands in contrast to a manmukh.
  • Gursikh
  • Gyani
  • Jathedar
    • Jathedar of Akal Takht
  • Kar sevak
  • Manmukh — a self-centered person, contrast to gurmukh. A person who lives within the will of the Mind as opposed to the will of god.
  • Nihang — a Sikh who consumes bhang (cannabis sativa), opium, and other narcotics to assist in meditation.
  • Nirankari — a sect of Sikhism
  • Patit — apostate
  • Sahajdhari — unbaptized Sikh.
  • Sant Sipahi
  • Sardar — a word contemporarily used to address or denote a turban-wearing Sikh male. The term initially used by Sikh leaders and generals who held important positions in various Sikh Misls of the Sikh Empire.
  • Sevadar — one who volunteers for seva
  • Shaheed — title used before the name of a person who has died as a Sikh martyr.
  • Sikh names
    • Kaur ('princess') — the middle name or surname given to Sikh females
    • Singh ('lion') — the middle name or surname given to Sikh males
  • Udasi — a religious sect of ascetic sadhus who were key interpreters of the Sikh philosophy and the custodians of important Sikh shrines until the Akali movement. Modern-day udasis consider themselves more to be Hindu rather than Sikhs.

Sikh Gurus[]

Main article: Sikh gurus
  • Guru Nanak Dev — According to the traditional historical Sikh sources Guru Nanak Dev appeared on earth in the month of Katak Oct/November 1469 which is celebrated every year in the month of October/November. The SGPC which was founded in 1925, states the avtar date as 15 April 1469. The Sikhs believe that all subsequent Gurus possessed Guru Nanak’s divinity and the one spirit of Akaal Purakh Waheguru.[13]
  • Guru Angad Dev (1504–52) — disciple of Guru Nanak Dev and second of the ten Sikh Gurus.
  • Guru Amar Das (1469–1574) — third of the ten Sikh Gurus.
  • Guru Ram Das ( 1534–81) — fourth of the ten Sikh Gurus.
  • Guru Arjan Dev (1563–1605) — fifth of the ten Sikh Gurus, He was arrested and executed by Jahangir in 1605.[14]
  • Guru Har Gobind (1596–1638) — son of Guru Arjan Dev and the sixth of the ten Sikh Gurus.
  • Guru Har Rai (1630–61) — grandson of Guru Har Gobind and seventh of the ten Sikh Gurus.
  • Guru Har Krishan (1656–64) — son of Guru Har Rai and eighth of the ten Sikh Gurus.
  • Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621–75) — grand uncle of Guru Har Krishan and ninth of the ten Sikh Gurus. He was executed on the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi.[15]
  • Guru Gobind Singh(1666–1708) — son of Guru Tegh Bahadur and tenth of the ten Sikh Gurus, He named the holy scripture, as his successor
  • Guru Granth Sahib — the of Sikhism, said to be the sole and final successor of the line of gurus. It is the eternal living Guru.[16] the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs.[17]

Notable people[]

See also: List of Sikhs, Sikh Bhagats, Category:Sikh warriors, and Category:Sikh martyrs
  • Pre-1400
    • Jayadeva — a Sanskrit poet who is the earliest-dated author of two hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib.
  • 1400–1499
    • Bhagat Beni
    • Bhai Mardana — Guru Nanak's constant Muslim companion, musician, and composer of Sikh hymns.
    • Bhai Lalo
    • Bibi Nanki — Guru Nanak's sister and often considered his first disciple.
    • Sri Chand — Guru Nanak's son and founder of an early Sikh sect.
  • 1500–1599
    • Baba Buddha — one of the most revered Sikh saints and anointer of several of the early Sikh Gurus.
    • Bhai Gurdas — one of the most revered Sikh saints and writer of the Vars.
    • Bhai Bala
    • Mian Mir
  • 1600–1699
    • Panj Pyare (or Panj Piare; literally 'five beloved ones') — the title given to five Sikhs by Guru Gobind Singh at the historic divan at Anandpur Sahib on 30 March 1699, forming the nucleus of the Khalsa as the first batch to receive at his hands Khanda di Pahul (i.e. rites of the two-edged sword). These five Sikhs were:
      • Bhai Daya Singh
      • Bhai Dharam Singh
      • Bhai Himmat Singh
      • Bhai Mohkam Singh
      • Bhai Sahib Singh
    • Moti Ram Mehra
    • Bhai Mani Singh
    • Pir Budhan Shah
    • Baba Bidhi Chand
    • Bhai Kanhaiya
    • Chhotte Sahibzade
  • 1700–1799
    • Banda Singh Bahadur
    • Baba Deep Singh
    • Bhai Taru Singh
    • Tara Singh Wan
    • Jassa Singh Ahluwalia
    • Jassa Singh Ramgarhia
  • 1800–1899
  • 1900–1999

General concepts[]

See also: Glossary of Sikhism
  • Brahmavidya — knowledge of the Divine
  • Vand Chhako — charity (or daan); one of the 3 petitions, alongside naam and ishnan.
  • Dasvand — 10% of earnings donated to the less advantaged.
  • Gurbani (abbreviated as bani) — verses; applied to any of the collective writings of the Sikh Gurus that appear in the Guru Granth Sahib.
  • Gurdwara (or gurudwara; literally 'God's door, God's place') — Sikh place of worship
  • Ik Onkar (or Ek Onkar)
  • — ablution, purification of body and mind; one of the 3 petitions, alongside naam and daan.
  • Jaap — recite.
  • Kirat Karo — earning a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud
  • Laavaan
  • Naam — remembrance of the Divine name
    • Naam Japo — meditation on the name of God
  • Takhat
  • — social offense, such as giving dowry, using liquors and intoxicants, raising monuments over graves, and associating with apostates.

Pop culture[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Adherents.com. "Religions by adherents". Archived from the original on April 21, 2005. Retrieved 2007-02-09.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ "The List: The World's -Growing Religions". Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2010.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ Singh, Pritama. 1992. Bhai Gurdas. pp. 33–36. ISBN 9788172012182.
  4. ^ Colonist, Times (2008-03-11). "Sikh separatists in Canada concern Indian government". Canada.com. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
  5. ^ "25 years on, few takers for Khalistan in Canada". Thaindian.com. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
  6. ^ The foreign policy of Pakistan: ethnic impacts on diplomacy, 1971–1994. ISBN 1-86064-169-5. Mehtab Ali Shah: "Such is the political, psychological and religious attachment of the Sikhs to that city that a Khalistan without Lahore would be like a Germany without Berlin."
  7. ^ Amritsar to Lahore: a journey across the India-Pakistan border. Stephen Alter. ISBN 0-8122-1743-8 "Ever since the separatist movement gathered force in the 1980s, Pakistan has sided with the Sikhs, even though the territorial ambitions of Khalistan include Lahore and sections of the Punjab on both sides of the border."
  8. ^ Surjit Singh Gandhi (2007). History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1606-1708 C.E. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 822. ISBN 9788126908585.
  9. ^ Surjit Singh Gandhi (2007). History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1606-1708 C.E. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 822. ISBN 9788126908585.
  10. ^ Mehta, J. L. (2005). Advanced study in the history of modern India 1707–1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 303. ISBN 978-1-932705-54-6. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  11. ^ Jacques, Tony (2007). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges. Greenwood Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-313-33536-5.
  12. ^ Jacques, p. 93
  13. ^ Guru Nanak may be referred to by many other names and titles such as "Satguru Nanak Dev", "Guru Nanak Dev" or "Baba Nanak" .
  14. ^ N. Jayapalan (2001). History of India. Atlantic. p. 160. ISBN 978-81-7156-928-1.
  15. ^ A Gateway to Sikhism | Sri Guru Tegh Bhadur Sahib J - A Gateway to Sikhism Archived 2008-08-30 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Deol, Harnik (2000). Religion and Nationalism in India. Routledge. p. 62. ISBN 0-415-20108-X.
  17. ^ Keene, Michael (2003). Online Worksheets. Nelson Thornes. p. 38. ISBN 0-7487-7159-X.

External links[]

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