2. •The Sikh faith began around 1500 CE, when a Hindu
boy named Nanak began to criticize the increasing
religious sectarianism of the Hindus and Muslims.
•The Sikh faith began around 1500 CE, when a Hindu
boy named Nanak began to criticize the increasing
religious sectarianism of the Hindus and Muslims.
• Sikhism began in the Punjab area of
South Asia, which now falls into the
present day states of India and Pakistan.
• Sikhism began in the Punjab area of
South Asia, which now falls into the
present day states of India and Pakistan.
Origins of SikhismOrigins of Sikhism
3. Origins of SikhismOrigins of Sikhism
After disappearing for three days, Nanak returned saying he had been
taken to God’s court and became a Prophet.
"There is neither
Hindu nor Muslim,
so whose path shall
I follow? I shall
follow God's path.”
"There is neither
Hindu nor Muslim,
so whose path shall
I follow? I shall
follow God's path.”
5. Stands for casteless
society and preaches
that all people stand
equal.
Stands for casteless
society and preaches
that all people stand
equal.
Muslim InfluenceMuslim Influence Hindu InfluenceHindu Influence
Challenges to
Islam/Hindu
practices
Challenges to
Islam/Hindu
practices
There is only one God.There is only one God. Everyone is equal before God.Everyone is equal before God.
Empty religious rituals
and superstitions
have no value.
Empty religious rituals
and superstitions
have no value.
Sikhs believe that
human beings spend
their time in a cycle of
birth, life, and rebirth.
Sikhs believe that
human beings spend
their time in a cycle of
birth, life, and rebirth.
To escape cycle of
life, need total
knowledge of and
union with God.
To escape cycle of
life, need total
knowledge of and
union with God.
Belief in Karma set by
previous life.
Belief in Karma set by
previous life.
Truth is the highest of
all virtues, but higher
still is truthful living.
Truth is the highest of
all virtues, but higher
still is truthful living. Sikhs must give to the
poor and care for the
sick.
Sikhs must give to the
poor and care for the
sick.
Sikhs should earn
their living by honest
means and hard work.
Sikhs should earn
their living by honest
means and hard work.
Beliefs of Sikhism: Religious SyncretismBeliefs of Sikhism: Religious Syncretism
6. Sikhism was established by Ten Gurus, teachers or masters, over the period from
1469 to 1708. Their holiest site is the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Sikhism was established by Ten Gurus, teachers or masters, over the period from
1469 to 1708. Their holiest site is the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Beliefs of SikhismBeliefs of Sikhism
7. The Holy Book Of Sikhism is Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind was the final
Guru in human form. Before his death, he made the Guru Granth Sahib the
ultimate and final Sikh Guru.
The Holy Book Of Sikhism is Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind was the final
Guru in human form. Before his death, he made the Guru Granth Sahib the
ultimate and final Sikh Guru.
Beliefs of SikhismBeliefs of Sikhism
8. Beliefs of SikhismBeliefs of Sikhism
The Sikh place of worship is called a
Gurdwara, meaning “Gateway to the Guru.”
The Sikh place of worship is called a
Gurdwara, meaning “Gateway to the Guru.”
9. Langar – Everyday, Sikhs offer the community free meals for anyone.
The Golden Temple feeds over 100,000 meals a day!
Langar – Everyday, Sikhs offer the community free meals for anyone.
The Golden Temple feeds over 100,000 meals a day!
10. Turning PointTurning Point
•The Mughal Emperor Jahangir feared the steady growth of the Sikh community
and the popularity of the 5th
Guru, Arjan.
•Jahangir arrested Guru Arjun in 1606 and tortured him to death.
•The Mughal Emperor Jahangir feared the steady growth of the Sikh community
and the popularity of the 5th
Guru, Arjan.
•Jahangir arrested Guru Arjun in 1606 and tortured him to death.
11. Turning PointTurning Point
As a result, Sikhism changed from a religion of peace and unity to a
militant community actively fighting against the Mughal Empire and any
who threatened them.
As a result, Sikhism changed from a religion of peace and unity to a
militant community actively fighting against the Mughal Empire and any
who threatened them.
12. Turning PointTurning Point
Mughal Emperor
Aurangzeb
Mughal Emperor
Aurangzeb
In 1658, Aurangzeb had
imposed Islamic laws,
demolished infidel
schools and temples, and
enforced new taxes on
non-Muslims. He tried to
impose strict Sharia Law
on the people which
included a campaign of
forced conversions.
In 1658, Aurangzeb had
imposed Islamic laws,
demolished infidel
schools and temples, and
enforced new taxes on
non-Muslims. He tried to
impose strict Sharia Law
on the people which
included a campaign of
forced conversions.
13. Turning PointTurning Point 9th
Guru Tegh Bahadur9th
Guru Tegh Bahadur
•In 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur resisted religious
persecution and promised to protect the threatened
Hindus of the Kashmir region.
•The Guru was summoned to Delhi to meet with
Aurangzeb who offered him “to abandon his faith,
and convert to Islam.”
•The Guru refused and was executed!
•In 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur resisted religious
persecution and promised to protect the threatened
Hindus of the Kashmir region.
•The Guru was summoned to Delhi to meet with
Aurangzeb who offered him “to abandon his faith,
and convert to Islam.”
•The Guru refused and was executed!
14. Turning PointTurning Point
•10th
and final human
Guru.
•Powerful military
general who
transformed Sikhs
into a militaristic
community called
Khalsa, or
Brotherhood.
•10th
and final human
Guru.
•Powerful military
general who
transformed Sikhs
into a militaristic
community called
Khalsa, or
Brotherhood.
15. Turning PointTurning Point
•Each Sikh male is
required to wear
symbolic clothing
and
accoutrements to
make manifest his
membership in the
community
•Kesh (hair)
•Kanga (comb)
•Kara (Bracelet)
•Kirpan (Dagger)
•Kachera
(Shorts)
•Each Sikh male is
required to wear
symbolic clothing
and
accoutrements to
make manifest his
membership in the
community
•Kesh (hair)
•Kanga (comb)
•Kara (Bracelet)
•Kirpan (Dagger)
•Kachera
(Shorts)
16. Turning PointTurning Point
•Amrit- Ceremony of initiation by drinking sweetened water stirred by a
dagger and taking the name “Singh” for men and “Kaur” for women.
•Amrit- Ceremony of initiation by drinking sweetened water stirred by a
dagger and taking the name “Singh” for men and “Kaur” for women.
17. Turning PointTurning Point
•There is no question that the formation of the
Khalsa is the single most important event in the Sikh
history. It fully unified the community and made it a
powerful force in the region!
•There is no question that the formation of the
Khalsa is the single most important event in the Sikh
history. It fully unified the community and made it a
powerful force in the region!
18. Into Period 5: 1750-1900Into Period 5: 1750-1900
•By the early 1800's, the
Sikhs managed to carve out
an independent kingdom in
the Mughal Empire, which
they retained until the
British annexations in the
1850's.
•Still, the Sikh military
brotherhood was the most
powerful fighting force that
the British used against the
Mughal Empire in its closing
days.
•By the early 1800's, the
Sikhs managed to carve out
an independent kingdom in
the Mughal Empire, which
they retained until the
British annexations in the
1850's.
•Still, the Sikh military
brotherhood was the most
powerful fighting force that
the British used against the
Mughal Empire in its closing
days.
19. •Today, Sikhism is the 5th
largest religion in the world with over 30
million followers
•Many Sikhs have left the Punjab region and settled in places around the
world such as England, China, United States and Australia.
•Today, Sikhism is the 5th
largest religion in the world with over 30
million followers
•Many Sikhs have left the Punjab region and settled in places around the
world such as England, China, United States and Australia.
20. Religious Reform and ChallengesReligious Reform and Challenges
Martin Luther’s
Protestant
Reformation
(p.721-25)
Martin Luther’s
Protestant
Reformation
(p.721-25)
The Bhakti
Movement in India
(p.738-39)
The Bhakti
Movement in India
(p.738-39)
Sufiism in
Anatolia
(p.437-38)
Sufiism in
Anatolia
(p.437-38)
21. Comparison to Lutheranism
1. All people with faith were equal.
2. All Church teachings should be based
on the Bible (the Truth)
3. Only through faith alone could you
find salvation, not rituals.
4. Became a threat to the Catholic
Church and challenged the power of
the Pope.
1. Everyone is equal before God
2. Truth is the highest of all virtues and
the way to salvation.
3. Religious rituals and superstitions
have no value.
3. Became a threat to the Mughal State
who wanted to purify Islam
Both events led to major wars that divided and weakened their
respective regions!
Both events led to major wars that divided and weakened their
respective regions!
Religious Reform and ChallengesReligious Reform and Challenges
Editor's Notes
Sikh tradition states that at around 1499, at the age of 30, he had a vision. After he failed to return from his ablutions, his clothes were found on the bank of a local stream called the Kali Bein. The townspeople assumed he had drowned in the river; Daulat Khan had the river dragged, but no body was found. Three days after disappearing, Guru Nanak reappeared, staying silent. The next day, he spoke to pronounce, "There is neither Hindu nor Mussulman (Muslim) so whose path shall I follow? I shall follow God's path. God is neither Hindu nor Mussulman and the path which I follow is God's."[6] Guru Nanak said that he had been taken to God's court. There, he was offered a cup filled with amrit (nectar) and given the command "This is the cup of the adoration of God's name. Drink it. I am with you. I bless you and raise you up. Whoever remembers you will enjoy my favour. Go, rejoice of my name and teach others to do so. I have bestowed the gift of my name upon you. Let this be your calling." From this point onwards, Nanak is described in accounts as a Guru, and Sikhism was born.[11]
Unlike many temples, the central activity inside this temple is not sacrifice or any kind of ritual toward God. Instead, the central focus is on the reading of the Adi Granth, the Sikh sacred text - which is the central focus in any Sikh community center or gurdwara anywhere in the world.Also, unlike many Hindu temples built during the same period, this Sikh temple is located on relatively low ground (as opposed to a hilltop) and is open on all four sides (as opposed to only having one entrance). The Sikh tradition holds that the four openings symbolize the four traditional castes in India, and that all people are welcome. Sikhism rejects any kind of discrimination based on caste, gender or position in society.
Gurdwara means the gateway through which the Guru could be reached. Any place where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and treated with due respect can be referred to as a Gurdwara, whether it is a room in ones house of a separate building.
The main functions are carried out in all public Gurdwaras. One is Kirtan which is the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, another is Katha which is reading of the Guru Granth Sahib and explanations. The third main function which is carried out at every Gurdwara is the Langar, free community kitchen for all visitors of all religions.
Aurangzeb had imposed Islamic laws, demolished infidel schools and temples, and enforced new taxes on non-Muslims. According to records written by his son Guru Gobind Singh, the Guru had resisted persecution, adopted and promised to protect Kashmiri Hindus. The Guru was summoned to Delhi by Aurangzeb on a pretext, but when he arrived, he was offered, "to abandon his faith, and convert to Islam”. Guru Tegh Bahadur refused, he and his associates were arrested. He was executed on November 11 1675 before public in Chandni Chowk, Delhi.
Aurangzeb had imposed Islamic laws, demolished infidel schools and temples, and enforced new taxes on non-Muslims. According to records written by his son Guru Gobind Singh, the Guru had resisted persecution, adopted and promised to protect Kashmiri Hindus. The Guru was summoned to Delhi by Aurangzeb on a pretext, but when he arrived, he was offered, "to abandon his faith, and convert to Islam”. Guru Tegh Bahadur refused, he and his associates were arrested. He was executed on November 11 1675 before public in Chandni Chowk, Delhi.
He was a powerful military general with a profound vision of transforming Sikh society into a militaristic society—an absolute necessity for a community surrounded by a hostile and powerful empire. Gobind Singh established the fourth and last most important doctrine of Sikhism (the first three being the Name, the Word, and the Guru): this was the doctrine of Khalsa, or the "Brotherhood" of Sikhs. The khalsa gives the community a deep sense of unity founded on symbolic acts. The most important of these is an initiation rite very similar to Christian baptism. In this rite, the believer drinks sweetened water that has been stirred with a dagger (the dagger represents the initiate's willingness to fight for the faith and the community). After this ceremony, the initiate is given a name added on to his own name: Singh, or "lion." This common name identifies each person as part of the community, as part of the same family, and as willing to fight for the faith. Each Sikh male is required to wear symbolic clothing and accoutrements to make manifest his membership in the community: these include uncut hair and a steel dagger. There is no question that the formation of the khalsa is the single most important event in the Sikh experience of history. It fully unified the community and made it a force to reckon with militarily. After the formation of the khalsa , the political and military power of the Sikhs grew tremendously. By the early 1800's, the Sikhs managed to carve out an independent kingdom in the Mughal Empire, which they retained until the British annexations in the 1850's. Still, the Sikh military brotherhood was the most powerful fighting force that the British used against the Mughal Empire in its closing days.
There are five religious signs that are the mark of a devout Sikh. Kesh (hair) - Sikhs believe that the course of nature should not be disturbed as far as possible which is why they refrain from cutting their hair.Kanga (comb) - A wooden comb is necessary to keep long hair tidy.Kara (steel bangle) - The steel bangle is regarded as a symbol of strength and is worn on the right wrist by both men and women.Kirpan (dagger) - The kirpan is a small sword and is a symbol of self-defense and the fight against evil and injustice.Kachha - The kachha is a pair of shorts made to a specific design. It formed part of the military uniform in Guru Gobind Singh’s day.
He was a powerful military general with a profound vision of transforming Sikh society into a militaristic society—an absolute necessity for a community surrounded by a hostile and powerful empire. Gobind Singh established the fourth and last most important doctrine of Sikhism (the first three being the Name, the Word, and the Guru): this was the doctrine of Khalsa, or the "Brotherhood" of Sikhs. The khalsa gives the community a deep sense of unity founded on symbolic acts. The most important of these is an initiation rite very similar to Christian baptism. In this rite, the believer drinks sweetened water that has been stirred with a dagger (the dagger represents the initiate's willingness to fight for the faith and the community). After this ceremony, the initiate is given a name added on to his own name: Singh, or "lion." This common name identifies each person as part of the community, as part of the same family, and as willing to fight for the faith. Each Sikh male is required to wear symbolic clothing and accoutrements to make manifest his membership in the community: these include uncut hair and a steel dagger. There is no question that the formation of the khalsa is the single most important event in the Sikh experience of history. It fully unified the community and made it a force to reckon with militarily. After the formation of the khalsa , the political and military power of the Sikhs grew tremendously. By the early 1800's, the Sikhs managed to carve out an independent kingdom in the Mughal Empire, which they retained until the British annexations in the 1850's. Still, the Sikh military brotherhood was the most powerful fighting force that the British used against the Mughal Empire in its closing days.
He was a powerful military general with a profound vision of transforming Sikh society into a militaristic society—an absolute necessity for a community surrounded by a hostile and powerful empire. Gobind Singh established the fourth and last most important doctrine of Sikhism (the first three being the Name, the Word, and the Guru): this was the doctrine of Khalsa, or the "Brotherhood" of Sikhs. The khalsa gives the community a deep sense of unity founded on symbolic acts. The most important of these is an initiation rite very similar to Christian baptism. In this rite, the believer drinks sweetened water that has been stirred with a dagger (the dagger represents the initiate's willingness to fight for the faith and the community). After this ceremony, the initiate is given a name added on to his own name: Singh, or "lion." This common name identifies each person as part of the community, as part of the same family, and as willing to fight for the faith. Each Sikh male is required to wear symbolic clothing and accoutrements to make manifest his membership in the community: these include uncut hair and a steel dagger. There is no question that the formation of the khalsa is the single most important event in the Sikh experience of history. It fully unified the community and made it a force to reckon with militarily. After the formation of the khalsa , the political and military power of the Sikhs grew tremendously. By the early 1800's, the Sikhs managed to carve out an independent kingdom in the Mughal Empire, which they retained until the British annexations in the 1850's. Still, the Sikh military brotherhood was the most powerful fighting force that the British used against the Mughal Empire in its closing days.
He was a powerful military general with a profound vision of transforming Sikh society into a militaristic society—an absolute necessity for a community surrounded by a hostile and powerful empire. Gobind Singh established the fourth and last most important doctrine of Sikhism (the first three being the Name, the Word, and the Guru): this was the doctrine of Khalsa, or the "Brotherhood" of Sikhs. The khalsa gives the community a deep sense of unity founded on symbolic acts. The most important of these is an initiation rite very similar to Christian baptism. In this rite, the believer drinks sweetened water that has been stirred with a dagger (the dagger represents the initiate's willingness to fight for the faith and the community). After this ceremony, the initiate is given a name added on to his own name: Singh, or "lion." This common name identifies each person as part of the community, as part of the same family, and as willing to fight for the faith. Each Sikh male is required to wear symbolic clothing and accoutrements to make manifest his membership in the community: these include uncut hair and a steel dagger. There is no question that the formation of the khalsa is the single most important event in the Sikh experience of history. It fully unified the community and made it a force to reckon with militarily. After the formation of the khalsa , the political and military power of the Sikhs grew tremendously. By the early 1800's, the Sikhs managed to carve out an independent kingdom in the Mughal Empire, which they retained until the British annexations in the 1850's. Still, the Sikh military brotherhood was the most powerful fighting force that the British used against the Mughal Empire in its closing days.