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Main articles: Sikhism and Sikh gurus Sikhism considers spiritual life and secular life to be intertwined:[16][17] "In the Sikh Weltanschauung...the temporal world is part of the Infinite and partakes of its characteristics."[18] Guru Nanak described living an "active, creative, and practical life" of "truthfulness, fidelity, self-control and purity" as being higher than a purely contemplative life.[19] The 6th Sikh Guru Guru Hargobind re-affirmed that the political/temporal (Miri) and spiritual (Piri) realms are mutually coexistent.[20] According to the 9th Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadhur, the ideal Sikh should have both Shakti (power that resides in the temporal), and Bhakti (spiritual meditative qualities). This was developed into the concept of the Saint Soldier by the 10th Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh.[21] Protecting the religious and political rights of all people and preventing discrimination is an integral part of the Sikh faith. The 5th Guru Arjan was martyred by the Mughal ruler Jahangir on 16 May 1606 for refusing to convert to Islam. The martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur ( The 9th Guru) while protecting Hindus from religious persecution, in Delhi, on 11 November 1675 AD, is another example of upholding religious freedom; he gave his life to protect the right of Kashmiri Hindus to practise their own religion when they were being forced to convert to Islam by Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor at the time. According to Guru Nanak, the goal is to attain the "attendant balance of separation-fusion, self-other, action-inaction, attachment-detachment, in the course of daily life",[22] the polar opposite to a self-centered existence.[22] Nanak talks further about the one God or Akal (timelessness) that permeates all life[23]).[24][25][26] and which must be seen with 'the inward eye', or the 'heart', of a human being.[27] In Sikhism there is no dogma,[28] priests, monastics or yogis. Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak summarized the basis of Sikh lifestyle as: Kirat Karo, Naam Japo and Wand kay Chako, which means work diligently and honestly, meditate on the holy name (Waheguru), and share the fruits of labours with others. The idea that human beings must work for a living and play an active role in society is the basis of this philosophy. The guiding principles of the Sikh faith are Truth, Equality, Freedom and . The Sikhs revere Guru Granth Sahib as their supreme teacher, 'Guru' means the enlightener. The tenth Guru ended the line of personal Gurūs and transferred his authority to the dual agency of the Sikh scripture Gurū Graṅth Sāhib and to the Guru Khalsa (also Panth). The Panth or the community of followers was to be the physical manifestation of the Gurū, while the Guru Graṅth was to be the scriptural guide for this body of Sikhs.[29] Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi, India. Volunteers prepare roti bread for the worshipers. Sikhism is an extremely pluralistic religion. The Guru Granth Sahib, in addition to the revelations of the Sikh gurus, contains revelations of various saints and sages of that period. The Mul Mantar, the opening hymn of the holy Guru Granth Sahib, expounds the nature and attributes of God: “ There is one supreme eternal reality; the truth; immanent in all things; creator of all things; imminent in creation. Without fear and without hatred; not subject to time; beyond birth and death; self-revealing. Known by the Guru’s grace.[30] ” Seva (selfless service) is an integral part of Sikh worship, observed in the Gurdwara. Visitors of any religious or socio-economic background are welcomed, where langar (food for all) is always served to people of all origins, the same (vegetarian) food, while sitting together on the same level of the floor. Interior view of Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib where Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred for refusing to convert to Islam in 1675. Shri Hazoor Sahib Gurudwara Nanded Interior view of Gurdwara Hazur Sahib Nanded, Maharashtra, India. People revered by Sikhs also include:[31] Bhai Mardana: one of the first followers and lifelong companion of Guru Nanak Bhai Bala: one of the first followers and lifelong companion of Guru Nanak Baba Budha Ji: Sikh saint, held the position of high Granthi in the Sikh religion, conducted the ceremony of guruship of the second guru up to the sixth guru, oversaw the construction of the Akal Takht Baba Banda Singh Bahadur: fought and defeated the Mughal Governor of Punjab, Wazir Khan, and established a Sikh force in Punjab Baba Deep Singh: Sikh saint, defended Golden Temple with his head in his hand, first head of the Damdami Taksal Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh: Sikh scholar, compiled the Dasam Granth Bhai Taru Singh: a patron of the poor Bhai Gurdas: known for his interpretation of Bani and his works (vaars) Bhai Kanhaiya: known for starting the first action of Red Cross Bhai Mati Das: known for sacrificing his life for the right of faith Bhai Dayala: known for sacrificing his life for the right of faith Bhai Bachittar Singh: known for sacrificing his life in battle in bravery, by putting a spear through an intoxicated elephant that was covered in armour Early Sikh scholars included Bhai Vir Singh and Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha. Teachings [hide]This section has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2010) This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. (May 2010) This section possibly contains original research. (May 2010) Sikhism believes in one supreme being which is real and immanent and only experienceable in this creation; technically there is nothing in this creation which is devoid of it and distinct of it. The three main principles of Sikhism are; to remember God, work honestly and share with others (charity). It teaches that the God is omnipresent, transcendent, omnipotent, and omniscient. It also revolves around the belief in reincarnation. Emphasis is on ethics, morality, and values; the Sikh faith does not accept miracles. The Sikh school of thought believes in a form of reincarnation similar to Karma. The concept of hell and heaven in Sikhism is metaphorical and is said to be experienced by those who chose (or not) to live in the Five Thieves. Guru Nanak explaining Sikh teachings to Sadhus Sikhism also believes in an omnipresent Onkar, the one constant in the Universe. Sikhs recommend five prayers in the morning between 1 and 6 am (the five prayers can be said in succession within one hour for the well-versed): Japji, Anand Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav-Prasad Savaiye, Chaupai and Ardas; one prayer in the evening from 5 to 7 pm: Rehras and Ardas; and one before sleeping, around 8 to 10 pm: Kirtan Sohila and Ardas. Sikh scriptures teach the concept of moderation. Sikhism teaches a person to remove the Five Evils: kaam or kam (lust), krodh (anger), lobh (greed), moh (attachment), and ahankar (pride).[32] Guru Nanak Dev Ji sought to improve the status of women by spreading this message: "From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad when she gives rise to nobility? From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all. O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman." (page (Ang) 473). In so doing, he promoted women's rights and equality, a remarkable stance in the 15th century which was actually put into practice by Guru Nanak and the following 9 Gurus. Sikh man at the Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) Sikhism professes democratic institutions such as Guru Khalsa (also Guru Panth) where decisions about the People are made collectively by themselves. This institution is called as Gurmatta. Panth itself translates to the People. Sikhism teaches that all of humanity was created by the Onkar, which is addressed by many names and understood differently. Sikhism teaches to respect all other religions (tolerance) and that one should defend the rights of not just one's own religion but the religion and faith of others as a human right. At the end of every Sikh prayer is a supplication for the welfare of all of humanity.( Tere Bhanne Sarbat Da Bhala ) Sikhism believes in the concept of a human Soul (Self (spirituality) or consciousness or spirit or astral body). Sikhs believe they can unite and become one with God in this life (Gurmukh), as the consciousness merges with God (Supreme Consciousness) through truthful living and actions and is only a matter of realization. Sikhs always greet each other with the words "Sat Sri Akaal" which literally means "Truth is Time-less being". Truth, truthful living, equality, freedom and justice are the core principles of Sikh philosophy. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th and final living Guru, gave Sikhs their outer physical form and established a new order called the Khalsa. Khalsa Sikhs do not cut their hair kes and as a form of respect cover it with an elegantly tied turban. To keep one's hair is a commitment to accept the body in the natural form in which it was born, and to get rid of vanity relating to outward appearance. Panj Pyare leading a procession in Wolverhampton, UK Wearing a turban forms a distinct identity and also makes the Sikhs very easily recognisable. Sikh history is built on examples of brave men and women who defended an ideology built on the fundamentals of human rights and equality of all human beings. This belief often led to conflict with oppressive forces. For more than 300 years the Sikhs were persecuted endlessly. The Sikh human rights struggle morphed into a political struggle which was one of the dominant causes of the fall of the Mughal empire in India and led to the formation of a Sikh kingdom before being annexed by the British in 1849. At the peak of their political power the Sikhs under Maharaja Ranjit Singh controlled a large kingdom centred in Lahore which was also secular and egalitarian. This kingdom had Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs in prominent cabinet positions. An example of Sikhism's commitment to tolerance is the fact that the foundation stone of one of the most prominent Gurdwaras of the Sikhs — Da rbar Sahib, Amritsar also known as the Golden Temple — was laid, not by the many eminent Sikh leaders or the 4th Sikh Guru Ramdas, who was the leader of the Sikhs at that time, but by a Sufi Muslim by the name of Sain Mian Mir. The Sikh code of conduct strictly forbids the use of intoxicants, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, narcotics and any other foreign substance which disrupt the body; sexual relationship outside marriage; consumption of sacrificial meat (Kutha meat), and cutting of hair. The Sikh religion also teaches that human life is unique, described as more precious than a diamond, which is obtained after great spiritual deeds and merits are done, and Sikh teachings are filled with guidance on how one should conduct one's self in order to find peace in this life and unite with God. Five Ks Main articles: Khalsa and Sahajdhari Kanga, Kara and Kirpan—three of the five articles of faith endowed to the Sikhs. The Five Ks, or panj kakaar/kakke, are five articles of faith that all baptized Sikhs (also called Amritdhari Sikhs) are typically obliged to wear at all times, as commanded by the tenth Sikh Guru, who so ordered on the day of Baisakhi Amrit Sanskar in 1699. The symbols are worn for identification and representation of the ideals of Sikhism, such as honesty, equality, fidelity, militarism, meditating on God, and never bowing to tyranny.[33] The five symbols are: Kesh (uncut hair, usually tied and wrapped in the Sikh Turban, Dastar) Kanga (a wooden comb, usually worn under the Dastar) Katchera (Cotton undergarments: historically appropriate during battle due to increased mobility on the ancient battle field when compared to the traditional dhoti dress of the time. They are worn by both sexes as underwear) The Katchera is also a symbol of chastity. Kara (an iron bracelet: functions as a defensive and offensive weapon. Now worn as a symbol of eternity) Kirpan (an iron dagger, which comes in different sizes; for example in the UK, Sikhs can wear a small sharp dagger, whereas in the Punjab Sikhs might wear the traditional curved sword, from one to three feet in length; symbolizes eternity;Mainly for self defense and for defending others when in need but never used for abusing the innocent, sometimes used for Bhog of the Karah Prashad). Sikhs who are unbaptized do not necessarily have to follow these rules. History Main article: History of Sikhism A Sikh Empire warrior's battle helmet Harmandir Sahib Cheering Sikh pilgrims arriving in Manikaran Sikh history, with respect to Sikhism as a distinct political body, can be said to have begun with the death of the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev in 1606. Sikh distinction was further enhanced by the establishment of the Khalsa (ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ), by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.[34] The evolution of Sikhism began with the emergence of Guru Nanak as a religious leader and a social reformer during the 15th century in the Punjab. The religious practice was formalized by Guru Gobind Singh on 30 March 1699. The latter baptized five people from different social backgrounds to form Khalsa. The first five, Pure Ones, then baptised Gobind Singh into the Khalsa fold.[35] This gives Sikhism, as an organised grouping, a religious history of around 400 years. Generally Sikhism has had amicable relations with other religions. However, during the Mughal rule of India (1556–1707), the emerging religion had strained relations with the ruling Mughals. Hindu Hill rajahs fought frequent battles against Guru Gobind Singh because they were largely opposed to Guru Gobind Singh's caste-less principles of religion. Prominent Sikh Gurus were killed by Mughals for opposing Mughal persecution of minority religious communities.[36] Subsequently, Sikhism militarized to oppose Mughal hegemony. The emergence of the Sikh Empire under reign of the Maharajah Ranjit Singh was characterized by religious tolerance and pluralism with Christians, Muslims and Hindus in positions of power. The establishment of the Sikh Empire is commonly considered the zenith of Sikhism at a political level,[37] during which time the Sikh Empire came to include Kashmir, Ladakh and Peshawar. Jarnail (General) Hari Singh Nalwa, the Commander-in-chief of the Sikh army along the North West Frontier, took the boundary of the Sikh Empire to the very mouth of the Khyber Pass. The Empire's secular administration integrated innovative military, economic and governmental reforms. The months leading up to the partition of India in 1947 were marked by heavy conflict in the Punjab between Sikhs and Muslims. The effect was the religious migration of Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus from West Punjab, mirroring a similar religious migration of Punjabi Muslims in East Punjab.[38] The 1960s saw growing animosity and rioting between Sikhs and Hindus in India,[39] as the Sikhs agitated for the creation of a Punjab state based on a linguistic basis similar to that by which other states in India had been created. This had also been promised to the Sikh leader Master Tara Singh by Jawaharlal Nehru in return for Sikh political support during the negotiations for Indian Independence.[40] Sikhs obtained the Punjab but not without losing some Punjabi speaking areas to Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan; most notably, Chandigarh was made Union Territory and the joint capital of Haryana & Punjab Punjab on 1 November 1966. Communal tensions arose again in the late 1970s, fueled by Sikh claims of discrimination and marginalisation by the Hindu dominated Indian National Congress ruling party and the "dictatorial" tactics adopted by the then Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.[41] Frank[41] argues that Gandhi's assumption of emergency powers in 1975 resulted in the weakening of the "legitimate and impartial machinery of government", and her increasing "paranoia" of opposing political groups led her to instigate a "despotic policy of playing castes, religions and political groups against each other for political advantage". As a reaction against these actions, the Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale vocalised Sikh sentiment for justice. This accelerated in Punjab a state of communal violence. Maharaja Runjeet Singh in a public assembly in the early 19th century. A proposed flag for Khalistan, the independent Sikh state. Gandhi's 1984 action to defeat Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale led to the attack of the Golden Temple in Operation Blue Star and ultimately led to Gandhi's assassination by her Sikh bodyguards.[42] This resulted in an explosion of violence against the Sikh communities in the anti-Sikh riots which resulted in the massacre of thousands of Sikhs throughout India; Khushwant Singh described the actions as being a Sikh pogrom in which he "felt like a refugee in my country. In fact, I felt like a Jew in Nazi Germany".[43] Since 1984, relations between Sikhs and Hindus have moved towards a rapprochement helped by growing economic prosperity; however, in 2002 the claims of the popular right-wing Hindu organisation the RSS that "Sikhs are Hindus" angered Sikh sensibilities.[44] Many Sikhs still are campaigning for justice for victims of the violence and the political and economic needs of the Punjab espoused in the Khalistan movement.[45] In 1996, the Special Rapporteur for the Commission on Human Rights on freedom of religion or belief, Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia, 1993–2004), visited India in order to compose a report on religious discrimination. In 1997,[46] Amor concluded, "In India it appears that the situation of the Sikhs in the religious field is satisfactory, but that difficulties are arising in the political (foreign interference, terrorism, etc.), economic (in particular with regard to sharing of water supplies) and even occupational fields. Information received from nongovernment (sic) sources indicates that discrimination does exist in certain sectors of the public administration; examples include the decline in the number of Sikhs in the police force and the military, and the absence of Sikhs in personal bodyguard units since the murder of Indira Gandhi".[47] However Sikhs still make up 10–15% of all ranks in the Indian Army and 20% of its officers,[48] while Sikhs form only 1.87% of the Indian population, which makes them over 10 times more likely to be a soldier and officer in the Indian Army than the average Indian.[49] On the 1999 Vaisakhi Sikhs all over the world celebrated the 300th anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa. Canada Post honoured Sikh Canadians with a commemorative stamp in conjunction with the 300th anniversary of Vaisakhi. On April 9, 1999 The President of India, K.R. Narayanan, also released a commemorative stamp on the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa [50] Sikh music and instruments Main article: Sikh music Woman playing the Dilruba Sikhs have developed their own instruments: Rabab, Dilruba, Taus, Jori and the Sarinda. The Sarangi was also encouraged by Guru Har Gobind. The Rabaab was first used by Bhai Mardana as he accompanied Guru Nanak on his journeys. Jori and Sarinda were both designed by Guru Arjan. The Taus was made by Guru Har Gobind; it is said that he heard a peacock singing and wished to create an instrument that could mimic its sounds. Taus is the Persian word for peacock. The Dilruba was made by Guru Gobind Singh at the request of his Sikhs. They wished for a smaller instrument, since the Taus was hard to carry and maintain, due to constant battles. After Japji Sahib, all of the shabd in the Guru Granth Sahib are written in raag. The shabd is typically played in accordance with that particular raag. This style of singing is known as Gurmat Sangeet. When marching into battle, the Sikhs would use drumming to boost their morale and increase excitement. This was called the Ranjit Nagara (Drum of Victory). Nagaras are large war drums that make a thundering sound and measure about 2 to 3 feet in diameter; they are played with two sticks. The special or original Ranjit Nagara, used in past battles, are up to 5 feet across. The beat of the large drums usually meant that the army was marching into battle. They were also taken into the battle sometimes; the Sikhs would raise the Nishan Sahib high, and the opposing forces would know the Singhs were coming. While the Sikhs' spirit was being boosted, the opposing forces would lose morale. Distribution Main article: Sikh diaspora Chart showing India's total Sikh population and their percentage of the total Indian population. Numbering approximately 27 million worldwide, Sikhs make up 0.39%[51] of the world population, of which approximately 83% live in India. Approximately 76% of all Sikhs live in the northern Indian State of Punjab, where they form a majority (about two thirds) of the population.[52] Substantial communities of Sikhs, i.e., greater than 200,000, live in the Indian States/Union territories of Haryana (with more than 1.1 million Sikh population), Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh Assam and Jammu and Kashmir.[53] Sikh migration from the then British India began in earnest from the 2nd half of the 19th century when the British had completed their annexation of the Punjab.[38] The British Raj preferentially recruited Sikhs in the Indian Civil Service and, in particular, the British Indian Army, which led to migration of Sikhs to different parts of British India and the British Empire.[38] During the era of the British Raj, semiskilled Sikh artisans were also transported from the Punjab to British East Africa to help in the building of railways. After World War II, Sikhs emigrated from both India and Pakistan, most going to the United Kingdom but many also headed for North America. Some of the Sikhs who had settled in eastern Africa were expelled by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in 1972.[54] Subsequently the main 'push' factor for Sikh migration has been economic, with significant Sikh communities now being found in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Malaysia, East Africa, Australia and Thailand. Map showing world Sikh population areas and historical migration patterns (Est. 2004).[55] While the rate of Sikh migration from the Punjab has remained high, traditional patterns of Sikh migration that favoured English-speaking countries, particularly the United Kingdom, have changed in the past decade due to factors such as stricter immigration procedures. Moliner (2006)[56] states that as a consequence of the 'fact' that Sikh migration to the UK had "become virtually impossible since the late 1970s", Sikh migration patterns altered to continental Europe. Italy has now emerged as a fast-growing area for Sikh migration,[57] with Reggio Emilia and the Vicenza province being areas of significant Sikh population clusters.[58] The Italian Sikhs are generally involved in agriculture, agro-processing, machine tools and horticulture.[59] Due primarily to socio-economic reasons, Indian Sikhs have the lowest adjusted decadal growth rate of any major religious group in India, at 16.9% per decade (est. 1991–2001).[60] Johnson and Barrett (2004) estimate that the global Sikh population increases annually by 392,633 Sikhs, i.e., by 1.7% p.a. on 2004 figures, this growth rate takes into account factors such as births, deaths and conversions. A Sikh (/siːk, sɪk/; Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖ sikkh [sɪkkʰ]) is a follower of Sikhism, a monotheistic religion that originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region.[12] The term "Sikh" means disciple, student, or (śikṣa).[13][14] A Sikh is a disciple/subject of the Guru. According to Article I of the "Rehat Maryada" (the Sikh code of conduct and conventions), a Sikh is defined as "any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being; ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh; Guru Granth Sahib; the teachings of the ten Gurus and the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru;".[15] Usually male Sikhs have "Singh" (Lion), and female Sikhs have "Kaur" (Princess) as their middle or last names. Sikhs who have undergone the khanḍe-kī-pahul, the Sikh initiation ceremony, can also be recognized by the Five Ks: uncut hair (Kesh); an iron/steel bracelet (kara); a Kirpan, a sword tucked in a gatra strap; Kachehra, a cotton undergarment; and a Kanga, a small wooden comb. Baptized male Sikhs must cover their hair with a turban, while turban is optional for baptized female Sikhs. The greater Punjab region is the historical homeland of the Sikhs, although significant communities exist around the world. |
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