This is the Sikh Symbol

Sikhism:An introduction

The sikh religion was founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak.The area of modern-day Pakistan and northwest India was known as Punjab.This was a time of a lot of tension between Hindus and Muslims.Guru Nanak the spiritual guide belived such religious problems were harmful and gatherd around him a small group of followers.They were searching for an understanding of god uncluttered by ritual.Sikhs belive in one god who they call Satguru,or true teacher.They believe god created the world and all things in it,but that god is not visable in Creation.As a result God's will has to be made known through wise and holy teachers,or gurus.

Here is a picture of Guru Nanak and his nine successors.

How did the Sikh Faith begin?

The Sikh religion began in north-west India in a region called the Pujab. Guru Nanak who fist thought the sikh faith was born in 1469 at a place called Talwandi in northern Inida, now in Pakistan. He was born in a Hindu family in an area deeply divided between Muslims and Hindus. Even when he was a child people were amazed at the deeds he performed and the words he spoke. The boy followd in his father's footsteps and trained to be an accountant, but even while he was doing his work his mind would often turn to thoughts of God. He and his friends often used to sit near the river and pray, but one day his friends could not find him and they were afraid he had drowned. Then three days later he reappeared at his home. For one day he was silent. When he did speak he said: There is neither Hindu no Muslim, so who's path should I follow? I shall follow God's path. God is neither Hindu no Muslim and the path which I follow is God's.

The Ten Gurus

Nanak's successor was Guru Angad (1504 - 1552) who is chiefly remembered for composing the Gurmukhi script in which the Punjabi language was written down for worship. The third guru was Amar Das (1479-1574), who founded the town of goindval in Pubjab where Sikhs gathered twice a year to renew friendships and to deepen their faith. The fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das (1534-1581) moved to the Sikh's spiritual centre from Goindval to what is now Amritsar. The fifth guru, Guru Arjan (1563-1644) transformed the community (the Panth) into a more militant force. Guru Har Rai (1630 - 1661) was the seventh Guru. He was followed by Har Krishan (1656 - 64) and then by Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675) and Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708). And those are the ten Gurus.

What Sikhs Believe

The basic beliefs of the Sikhs are best summed up in the mool mantra from their holy book - The Guru Granth Sahib : there is only one god.truth is his name . He is the creator. He is without fear. He is without hate. He is timeless and without and without form. He is beyond death,the enlighted one. He can be known by the Guru's grace.

Where Sikhs Worship!

The sikh place of worship is called the Gurdwara. It is also a community centre and has a langer, or free kiten, in it where anyone who who is hungry can come and be fed.The most famous and holy of the sikh temples is the Golden temple Amritsar in the punjab.The oldest copy of the Guru Granth sahib is kept in this temple and many Sikhs make a pilgrimage to visit it.

The Gurudwara

The Sikh place of worship is called the Gurdwara. People go to the Gurdwara for Sangat, which is prayer. The word Gurdwara comes from two words Guru and dwara. Guru means teacher. It is considered a disgrace if you enter the Gurudwara with shoes on so when people go to the Gurdwara they take off their shoes and leave them in the hall. Many Gurdwaras fly a yellow triangular shaped flag. The flag represents a holy place for Sikhs. The flag is called Nishan Sahib. Sikhs believe that eveyone is equal. For examply women and men worship together and when people come to eat in the Gurudwara they share their food.

FACT FILE

BELOW THESE TWO SIKH GIRLS ARE CELEBRATING DIWALI HOME IN BRITAIN.THE FESTIVAL HAS A SPECIAL MEANING FOR SIKHS,BUT THEY ALSO FOLLOW THE HINDU CUSTOM OF LIGHTING CANDLES AT THIS TIME.

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