Transcript Sikh Beliefs

Sikh Beliefs
Who and What is a Sikh?
The word ‘Sikh’ in the Punjabi language
means ‘disciple’ Sikh’s are the disciples
of God who follow the writings and
teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. The
wisdom of these teachings in the Sir
Guru Granth Sahib are practical and
universal in their appeal to all mankind.
“I observe neither Hindu fasting nor the ritual of the Muslim Ramadan month; Him I serve who
at the last shall save. The Lord of universe of Hindus, Gosain and Allah to mew are one; From
Hindus and Muslims have I broken free. I perform neither Kaaba pilgrimage nor at bathing
spots worship; One sole Lord I serve, and on other. I perform neither the Hindu worship nor
the Muslim prayer; To the Sole Formless Lord in my heart I bow. We neither are Hindu not
Muslims; Our body and life belong to the One Supreme Being who alone is both Ram and Allah
for us.” (Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Grath Sahib, Raga Bhairon pf 1136)
“Any human being who faithfully believes
in:
i) One Immortal Being
ii) Ten Gurus, from Guru
Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind
Singh
iii) The Guru Granth Sahib
iv) The utterances and
teachings of the ten Gurus
and
v) The baptism bequeathed
by the tenth Guru, and who
does not owe allegiance to
any other religion is a Sikh.”
(Reht Maryada, Sikh Code of
Conduct)
Sikh Philosophy and Beliefs
There is only One God. He is the same God for all people of all religions.
The soul goes through cycles of birth and death before it reaches the human form. The goal of
out life is to lead an exemplary existence for that one may merge with God. Sikhs should
remember God at all times and practice living a virtuous and truthful life while maintaining a
balance between their spiritual obligations and temporal obligations.
The true path to achieving salvation and, merging with God does not require renunciation of the
world. Or celibacy, but living the life of a householder, earning a honest living and avoiding
worldly temptations and sins.
Sikhism condemns blind rituals
such as fasting, visiting places of
pilgrimage, superstition, worship
of the dead, idol worship etc.
Sikhism preaches that people of
different races, religions, or sex
are all equal in the eyes of God.
It teaches the full equality of men
and women. Women can
participate in any religions
function or perform any Sikh
ceremony or lead the
congregation in prayer.
What Sikhs Believe
Monotheistic – Sikhism attempts to reconcile the differences between Hinduism and Islam.
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion. Sikhs believe in one God who made the universe and
everything in it. They call God “Waheguru”, which means “Wonderful Lord”. They believe God is
good and can forgive all sins.
Reincarnation – Sikhism teaches that the ultimate purpose in life is to attain complete union with
God, and thus to escape the cycle of death and rebirth called samsara. The experiences of union
with God is eternal bliss.
Sikhs – Sikhs are the followers of the religion of Sikhism. The word “Sikh” comes from the
Punjabi language. It means “learner” or “disciple”.
Gurus – Sikhs follow the teachings of the 10 leaders called “Gurus”. A guru is a special religious
teacher. God’s teachings were given to human beings by these ten Gurus. The first of the Guru’s
was called Guru Nanak. The Tenth Guru said there would be no more Gurus to lead the people
after him. Instead, their teacher would be the book which contained the teachings of the Gurus.
The Sikh holy book is called the Guru Granth Sahib.
Sikhs say that the best way to worship God is
by living honestly and by caring about other
people as the Gurus did. The believe that one
cannot live God is one does not care about
others. Since God made and loves everyone,
everyone is treated equally.
When one member of the Khalsa meets
another, they are to use this greetings:
“Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa,
Waheguru Ji Ka Fateh”
Which means, “The Khalsa belongs to God;
victory belongs to God.”
Sikh Teachings
Sikhism strives to guide people in their daily lives. The basic teachings of Sikhism is for
humankind to exist affably and one equal terms.
Some of the basic principles of Sikhism are:
1. One God who has no shape or forms – Sikhs believe there is only one God, the Creator of
this universal.
2. Equality for all humankind – Sikhs believe that everyone is equal, regardless of their ethic,
racial or religious origins and beliefs.
3. Equality for Women – Sikhs believe that women and men should have equal rights and
privileges.
4. The three fundamental rules of Sikhism are:
Nam Japo – Meditation on God’s Name
Kirt Karo – Dignity through honest and hard work
Wand Chako – Sharing one’s earnings with the needy
5. Acceptance of all religions – Sikhism is not opposed to other faiths. The gurus never claimed
Sikhism as the only way to God and salvation
6. A strong Family Life – Sikhism asks its followers to lead the life of a householder and a family
person.
7.
Sikhism prohibits smoking, alcohol, and the use of intoxicating drugs, adultery, cutting of
ones hair, eating meat in the Gurdwaras, and superstitions and ritual practices. There is no
special injunction against beef or pork.
Life after death
God judges the soul
soul experiences pleasure or pain
God determines the next life form of the soul
Therefore, Sikhs are called to turn to God in two ways:
gurbani – listen to
hymns from Sikh
sacred scriptures
mukti – meditate on
the name of God
Khanda
Two swords = kirpans
 Represents service to
God by teaching the
truth and fighting for
what is right.
Double-edged
sword
 A symbol of the
power of God
Circle = chakkar
 Stands for God
and the unity of
people.