An Introduction to Sikhism

This is our project on Sikhism. Our names our Nora and Caitriona and we have spent a lot of time (home and school) on this project. We hope it gives you the information you need and we are sorry if it does not. We hope you enjoy looking at our project. We also hope that it adds to your knowledge.

The Sikh belief was started in the 15th century by the first of the ten gurus, Guru Nanak in the area of modern-day Pakistan and north-west India known as Punjab. In that time there was a lot of tension between Hindus and Muslims. Guru Nakah did not agree with such tension and gathered a small group of followers who, like him, were searching for an understanding of God uncluttered by ritual. He decided not to go the Hindu or Muslim way but to follow the path of God.

Sikhs believe in one true god who they call Satguru, or true teacher. They believe God created the world and all things in it, but that they can not see God in Creation. As a result God's will has to be made known through wise and holy teachers, or gurus. Sikhism has ten human gurus and a final guru not in the shape of a human but in the shape of a book {Guru Granth Sahib}.

Guru Nanak founded a religion based on the simple desire to get close to God and to do God's will. He also believed that true love of God is impossible without love of humanity, so he taught that men and women should be kind to their neighbours and share the fruits of their labours. In the beginning, Guru Nanak and his disciples formed a close-knit community devoted to singing and meditation on the Divine Name {Nam}. Guru Nanak's hymns are still practised by Sikhs to this day.

Our background for this webpage is the Sikh Symbol.

The Ten Gurus

The ten gurus were ten men who during the last 6 centuries founded and developed the Sikh belief. Those people were; Guru Nanak [the 15th century CE], the founder of the belief, following him was Guru Angad [1504-1552] who composed the Gurmukhai script. The third guru was Amar Das [1479-1574] who founded the town of Goindval where Sikhs gathered twice a year to renew their friendship and deepen their fate.

The Sikhs' next guru was Guru Ram Das [1554-1581] who moved the Sikhs' spiritual centre from Goindval to what is now Amritstar. Following Guru Ram Das was his son, Guru Arjan [1563-1606], he built the Golden Temple. Next in line was Guru Hargobind [1595-1644] who transformed the community into a more militant force. Guru Har Rai [1630-1661] was the seventh Guru. He was then followed by Guru Har Krishan. Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth guru.

The tenth and last living guru was Guru Gobind Singh [1666-1708], he is regarded with almost as much respect as the founder, Guru Nanak.

Guru Gobind Singh was responsible for 2 key developments that have shaped the Sikh identity. The first development was the Khalsa- the community of 'pure' Sikhs, who were prepared to give their life for their belief. They are baptised with holy water, given the name Singh { Kaur for women } and told to wear a uniform that marked them out as brave soldier-saints.

The second innovation was that there was to be no more living gurus but that the Sikh holy scripture was to become their new guru. From then on it was known as the Guru Granth Sahib.

This is a picture of the Ten Gurus

The Holy Book

When Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru, died in 1708 told his followers that there would be no more Gurus and instead the people where to be guided by the words of the Gurus which were written down and put into a book called the Guru Granth Sahib. These writings are written in the holy script, Gurmukhi [from the mouth of the Guru].

The Holy Book tells Sikhs about God and Creation, about man and his place in the universe and how man can find enlightment and salvation.

Every week when the Sikhs go to pray in the Gurdwara they kneel and bow to the Holy Book. It rests on a cushion in a special room. The Book is at the centre of worship. Sometimes small offerings of money are made to the Guru Granth Sahib.

It is a law that all Sikhs must learn the Gurmukhi script so some Sikh children and adults go to special schools in the evening. Some Gurudwaras have a man or a woman, known as a grentni, to read hymns from the holy book. They may often act as a teacher.

When the Guru Granth Sahib is being read it is placed on a special platform and shaded by a canary, or cloth hanging over it. A fan is waved over it because the human Gurus had fans waved over them as a sign of respect.

This is a picture of the Holy Book

The Gurudwara

Sikhs can pray to God at any time. Even so many Sikhs go to the Gurdwara for Sangat {which is prayer} every week. The Gurdwara is a Sikh temple.

The name Gurdwara means the place of the teacher. Many Gurdwaras fly a yellow, triangular shaped flag. This flag is called Nishan Sahib and shows that this is a holy place for Sikhs. Usually the Gurdwara is a large hall. In the Gurdwara men and women Sikhs alike pray together but the men sit on the right and the women on the left.

As a mark of respect Sikhs enter their temple in bare feet. They leave their shoes in the porch until they are ready to go home. When Sikhs are in the Gurdwara they must keep their heads covered as a mark of respect to the Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Book. The Book is usually kept on a platform so that it can be seen from all corners of the Gurudwara.

The service in the Gurdwara begins with Kirtan, the singing hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. The singing is accompanied by music from a babla and a harmonium. When Sikhs pray they bow to the Holy Book. Then they touch their forehead of the floor. They then sit down on the carpet and listen to the words from the Holy Book.

These are people attending a cermony at the Gurdwara

The Sikh Year and Festivals

The Sikhs use the Hindu calendar, which means each month starts with a new moon. All festivals, apart from the Baisakhi, have different dates each year. They are called Guru Purab-holidays associated with the Gurus.

In December and January the Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru.

In February there is the festival called Hola Mohalla. The fair in Anadpur in honour of Guru Gobind Singh.

In April there is the celebration called Baisakhi it is the celebration of the foundation of the Khalsa.

In August there is a celebration of the completion of the Guru Granth Sahib [the Holy Book].

In October Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak. Diwali is a Hindu festival used by Sikhs to mark the release from prison of a Guru Hargobind, one of the ten gurus.

This is a traditional outfit that Sikhs wear.

Birth

The Sikhs believe that the part of the body called a soul is born over and over again in different lives. All Sikhs hope that they will not be born on Earth loads of times because they believe that there is something better than life on Earth. Sikh parents believe that their baby's soul comes from God. They hope that the soul will return to God after death, if the person has led a good life it will go back to God. Sikh parents try to make sure that the first thing their baby hears will be. 'There is one God, Eternal truth is his name; he made everything and is in everything. He is not afraid of anything and is not fighting anything; he is not affected by time; he was not born, he made himself; we know about him from teachings of the Guru'. This prayer is called Mool Mantra. After the words are spoken, honey is put on he baby's tongue.

After a few weeks the baby is welcomed in to the Sikh community. The parents take flour, butter and sugar when they take the baby to the Gurdwara for the first time. The sugar, butter and flour are made in to a pudding called Kara Parshad. The pudding is shared with everyone in the Temple. Then the baby is given a bit of sugary water. It is called Amrit. Water is a symbol of purity. Sugar is a symbol of sweetness and goodness.

Sikh babies are given their name when they go to the Gurdwara for the first time. There is a reading from the Holy Book. The reader then opens the Guru Granth Sahib the first letter on the page. The baby's name will begin with that letter.

This is a picture of a father and his baby

Sikh Marriage Ceremony

Any man or woman who is well thought of within the community can lead a wedding ceremony. The person who is leading the ceremony is usually a person with a strong faith and knowledge of the Sikh belief. The wedding ceremony is called Anand Karaj. Anand Karaj means 'Ceremony of Bliss'. The wedding takes place in front of the holy book [Guru Granth Sahib].

In a short talk the leader explains the sacred meaning of marriage. Two hearts should become one, joined by the light of Sikh teaching. Brought to the couples attention is the duties of the husbands and wives. They are asked to be loyal and faithful to each other. To celebrate each others joys and to be kind to one an other in sorrow and pain. They are asked to be kind and loving to their relatives. They show that they agree to the marriage when they bow to the Guru Granth Sahib.

Lawan are marriage hymns that are read. There are four hymns and in between each one the musicians play. The bride and groom walk around the Guru Granth Sahib clockwise while the musician is playing. Sometimes the wedding guests throw bright flowers and petals at the couple.

This is a Sikh marriage ceremony

Death

Sikhs don't think a funeral is a sad occasion because they believe in reincarnation. Reincarnation is where you come back as something different or as a human again. Sikhs believe that you keep coming back as a human. They don't think they should mourn or be unhappy.

The main prayer they say at a Sikh funeral is called Sohila Mahala. Sikhs say this prayer every night before they go to bed. They say this prayer to remember the dead person. This prayer reminds Sikhs what their life is for. It tells them that if they try and find God, he will live in their hearts and they need not to be afraid of dying. When someone dies they believe that it is just like going to sleep.

After the funeral there is usually a big feast and gifts are donated to charities. Sikhs believe that the soul of a person comes from God and goes back to God if he or she leads a good life. If they do not lead a good life they will keep coming back as a human until they become a good person, then they will go back to God.

When someone dies they shout Waheguru, it means Wonderful Lord. Relatives and friends come to the house to see the body. The family take gifts of money and oil. The body is taken to the Gurdwara in a coffin. They then cremate the body. The cremation is followed by another service and more food. During the day and nights after the funeral the adults of the family read the whole Guru Granth Sahib. It will take at least two days.

This is a picture of Sikh relatives carrying a dead body to the Gurdwara

Sikhs, food and eating

Communal meals are very important in Sikhism. Food is given by worshippers to be cooked by volunteers in the communal kitchen called the guru ka langa [the guru's kitchen.] Many Sikhs help out by preparing, cooking and serving the food. While the food is being cooked prayers are chanted and hymns are sung. A small portion of each food that is cooked is blessed by offering it to God; this is then mixed with with the rest of the food, which blesses the whole meal.Communal meals are important as they show a sign of equality.

. It is not custom in the Sikh belief to say a prayer before a meal but many do. Most of these prayers are very short like the prayer Sikhs say in the Gurdwara before eating. They cover their heads, as a sign of respect, then hold a chappati in their hands and say the special words.

Many Sikhs do not eat beef even though the holy book does not forbid it. But Sikhs may not eat meat unless it has been very particular way. That way is called 'Jhatka'. 'Jhatka' is when the animal is killed by one single cut of a knife and then they must say a prayer. The prayer is called the 'Truth is Immortal'.

The Sikhs pay a lot of attention to cleanness. Before and after a meal a Sikh must wash their hands. Many Sikhs cover their heads and take baths before preparing a meal. Traditions also say that there should be no 'gossiping' when the food is being prepared in the Gurdwara.

The Sikh Dress Sense

Sikh women sometimes wear a long dress called Sari. But most people wear the Punjabi suit or Salwar Kameez. The long scarf called a Duppota or a Chunni is to cover the head as a mark of respect to the Gurudwaraand also in the presence of older or respected people. Most men wear European clothes in daily life but the turban is always worn. However at religious ceremonies many men wear Punjabi clothes.

Sikh men do not shave or cut their hair or even shave their beards. So for comfort and safety they wear turbans over their long hair. They comb it into a tight bun and hold it in place with a cloth called Patka. A band -fifti- is tied on and knotted at the back. Then the turban is wound round. The cloth used for a turban is startched to keep its shape, is folded length way. About 15cm is draped over the left shoulder and the rest is wrapped around the head from right to left. The end of the cloth is tucked into the forehead and the piece on the left shoulder is tucked under the back.

A child's turban is roughly about 2 metres long and an adult's is about 4.5 metres. It is an insult to try and remove someone's turban. The turban is the most distinct feature of a Sikhs dress sense but it is only one element of the traditional customs practices of the faith.

When a man is uninitiated into the Kalsa he then becomes a full member of the Sikh belief. He must then wear the five K's- so called because the Punfabi words for describing them begins with a K. They are: 1. Kesh, uncut hair covered by a turban. 2. Kippan, a short sword symbolising residence against ewil. 3. Kara, a steel bracelet symbolising faithfulness to God. 4. Khanga, a comb symbolising personal hygiene and 5. Kach, knee-length breeches symbolising purity.

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