About Sikhism Sikhism is the youngest & 5th largest religion of the world with approximately 50 million sikhs. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with their successive Sikh Gurus. Sikhi comes from the word Sikh and the world Sikh comes from the Sanskrit root which means disciple or learner. So Sikhism is essentially the path of discipleship. The faith system is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev and the ten successive Sikh Gurus. Guru Nanak spread a simple message of Ek Onkar, We are all One, created by the One creater of all creation. This was at a time when India was being turn apart by castes, sectarianism, religious fractions, and fanaticism. He aligned with no religion, and respected all religions. He expressed the reality that there is one God and many paths and the Name of God is Truth, Satnam. The true Sikh remains unattached to worldly things. The Sikh must do his duty to his family and to the community. The main thing is leading a pure and moral life; full of noble deeds and kind words. A Sikh does not regard fasting, austerities, pilgrimages, alms-giving and penance as important things. Amrit AMRIT, derived from Sanskrit amrta, defined as: not dead, immortal, imperishable, nectar, ambrosia or anything sweet. It is in the sense of a liquid or drink which by consuming one attains everlasting life or immortality that the word was first used in the Vedic hymns. According to Hindu mythology, Amrit was extracted by the gods by churning the ocean with the assistance of the demons and it was by drinking it, that the gods became immortal. In the Sikh tradition, Amrit is not some magical potion that would confer upon the consumer an unending span of life or bring about automatic release from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The term is however retained figuratively to signify what leads to such release. Historically, amrit in the Sikh tradition refers to the baptismal water Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Nanak, created for the initiatory rites promulgated in supersession of charanamrit at the time of the creation of the Khalsa brotherhood. Amrit: literally means nectar. When referring to the Khanda-ki-Pahul ceremony, the Amrit is composed of water and sugar and is stirred with a double-edged sword (Khanda) while prayers are said. Initiation into Khalsa domain involves the taking of Amrit. It also refers to the Ambrosia of Gods name. It is said that the enlightened being who is elevated to a high spiritual plane, has Amrit trickling into their mind and this maintains their high state of consciousness. In His Kindness, He blesses the Gurmukh with it; the Ambrosial Nectar of this Amrit trickles down. His Ambrosial Amrit is so sweet to my mind and body. This amrit of Gods Name is realized from within ones self and can be realized at any hour of day or night, but the best time conducive to realization is the last quarter of night or the early morning to which Guru Nanak refers as Amrit Vela; when the devotee may contemplate the greatness of God. Guru Angad Ji says that during early morning, the last quarter of night, the awakened ones develop a fondness for cultivating the True Name. Sikh Beliefs The core beliefs of Sikhs are : Full faith in one patheistic God Following truth Treat everyone equally Be generous to the less fortunate Serve others Association with holy men (Satsang) Three Pillars Three Pillars Naam Japna - Keeping God in mind at all times. Free service (sewa), meditation and prayer (simran), sacred music (kirtan) Kirat Karni - Honest earning, labour etc. while remembering the God Vand Chakhna - Share with others, free food (langar), donate 10% of income i.e. dasvand. Five Kakkars The 5Ks or kakkars or kakke are the five articles of faith worn by all baptised Sikhs. The all baptised Sikhs both male and female are required to wear a uniform to remain spiritually and socially committed to the absolute TRUTH and to wear these 5 Ks at all times in humble obedience of the Sprituo-Temproral command of the Guru Gobind Singh, who in 1699 during Amrit Sanchar at Baisakhi so ordained and commanded that all Sikhs uphold righteousness and stand by nothing but TRUTH; to be born again as a new and better person as Khalsa (means Khalis, shudh, a pure person, an image of God, an army of Akal Purakh, live a life of a saint-soldier). This commitment was announced, made prominent and confirmed by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 at the Baisakhi. Kesh (uncut hair) A Sikh is to maintain and adorn this natural God-given gift. To work with nature and not against it. The Kesh was covered with a turban, Keski or Chunni to keep it clean and manageable. Kanga (wooden comb) for the maintenance and ongoing upkeep of Kesh. A reminder to regularly maintain the body and mind in a clean and healthy state. Kara (steel bracelet) : Symbolises an unbreakable bond with God. It is a constant reminder that the Sikh is a slave of the Lord. He or she must only do His work in accordance with the Holy Scripture and to abstain for wrong-doing at all times. Kachhera (cotton underwear) Standard, Naturally Comfortable, dignified attire reflective of modesty and control. A sign of a soldier; ever ready; dignified and highly mobile. Kirpan (a small sword) A sign that a Sikh is a soldier in Akal Purakhs Army. To maintain and protect the weak and needy and for self defence. Never to be used in anger. Five Evils The five Evils are the five major weaknesses of the human personality at variance with its spiritual essence. The five Evils comprises : Kaam (Lust) Krodh (Rage) Lobh (Greed) Moh (Attachment) Ahankar (Ego) It is the primary aim of the Sikh to subdue these five inner evils and rander them useless. The actions of ones mind should be above, beyond and without interference from these five inner urges of sins. Its a Sikhs duty to not base their life subject to these five passions of the human heart. To live a life in devotion to the Almighty Waheguru in positive spirits (Chardikala) and in His Mercy (Hukam). To remember God in Naam Simran, engaged in community service (sewa). By taking these positive steps, the five Evils are overcome and rendered ineffective. By adopting this daily routine and discipline the persons actions become pure (Nirmal) and rewarding to the soul and the negativity of the person is removed. Five Evils The five Evils are the five major weaknesses of the human personality at variance with its spiritual essence. The five Evils comprises : Kaam (Lust) Krodh (Rage) Lobh (Greed) Moh (Attachment) Ahankar (Ego) It is the primary aim of the Sikh to subdue these five inner evils and rander them useless. The actions of ones mind should be above, beyond and without interference from these five inner urges of sins. Its a Sikhs duty to not base their life subject to these five passions of the human heart. To live a life in devotion to the Almighty Waheguru in positive spirits (Chardikala) and in His Mercy (Hukam). To remember God in Naam Simran, engaged in community service (sewa). By taking these positive steps, the five Evils are overcome and rendered ineffective. By adopting this daily routine and discipline the persons actions become pure (Nirmal) and rewarding to the soul and the negativity of the person is removed. Poem Guru Gobind Singh defines in one of his poems - He who repeats night and day the name of Him, Who has full love and confidence in God, Who bestows not a thought on any but one God, Whose enduring light is inextinguishable, Who puts no faith in fasting and worshipping cemeteries and monasteries, Who only recognises the one God and makes no fetish, of pilgrimages, Shines alms, charities and austerities : He is recognised as a true member of the Khalsa, In whose heart the light of the Perfe Shines.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 11:10:58 +0000
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