Author Topic: History Of Sikhism (Read 7606 times)

Kudi Nepal Di · « **on:** June 14, 2010, 06:24:03 AM »

Introduction to Sikhism

In the religious sense, a Sikh, which literally means learner, is someone who believes in one God, Sat Guru, and follows the teachings of Gurus who reveal his teachings. The Gurus are the ten leaders of the Sikh faith, from the founder, Guru Nanak (1469-1539), to Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708); and the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scripture that became the final Guru after the death of Guru Gobind Singh.

In 1699, on Vaisakhi day, a Spring harvest festival, the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, created the Khalsa. In founding the Khalsa, the Guru injected a new blood into his followers and encouraged them to be saint-soldiers, those who set life's goals on being spiritual and brave. The tenth Guru asked people to replace their last names, which specified their caste, with Singh, for men, and Kaur, for women, and, in addition, to keep the five "Ks" - five items beginning with the letter K: kesh, uncut hair; Kangha, a comb; Kirpan, a steel dagger, Kara, a steel bangle worn on the wrist; and Kachh, an undergarment. Guru Gobind Singh's aim in instituting the Khalsa was to create a social order based on the concepts of equality and unity of the human race.

Sikhism began in North India in the 15th century, with the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev. At the time there was tension between Hindus and Muslims, and various religious movements, who sought a love of God beyond religious conflict. Nanak was influenced by these groups, and stated: "There is no Hindu or Muslim, so whose path shall I follow? I shall follow the path of God." But Guru Nanak was moved even more by his own profound experience of God. As a result, he made sure that there would be a movement to follow his way by appointing a Guru to succeed him.

Guru Nanak emphasized the absolute unity and sovereignty of God. He believed that God created everything, and that everything is dependent on God's will. God does not become manifest in the world, but his will becomes known internally. Because so, meditation is of highest importance for Sikhs. Guru Nanak described like: "God is One, whose name is truth, the immanent creator, without fear, without hostility, immortal in form, unborn, self-sustaining, known by the grace of the Guru."

Humans are bound by karma, the moral law of cause and effect, which is worked out through rebirth. God provides them help to move through various stages, from being a wrong-doer, or manmukh, to being devoted to the Guru and absorbed in him, or gurmukh. The manmukh indulges in the five deadly evils, namely greed, pride, anger, lust, and worldly attachment, and is lost in maya, which means giving higher value to material things in life than to the spiritual. The final stage is utter bliss, or sachkand, which is beyond words and beyond rebirth.

Sikhs do not need to renounce the world; they must find the way of God in everyday life. There is strong emphasis on selfless community service, or seva, and the gurdwara, the Sikh temple, is the center of Sikh life. The gurdwara has the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scripture, and people assemble there for worship and singing of hymns or kirtan. Every gurdwara has langar, which is the practice of cooking and serving food for free, without distinctions of race, religion, gender, or caste. The voluntary work and donations needed for langar summarize the demands and privileges of community service.

Punjabi Janta Forums - Janta Di Pasand · « **on:** June 14, 2010, 06:24:03 AM »

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2010, 06:30:06 AM »

The Ten Gurus

"The Guru is my ship to cross sin's lake and the world ocean. The Guru is my place of pilgrimage and sacred stream."
-- Guru Nanak
Gurus in South Asian religions are spiritual guides. The word "guru" means "weighty one," and gurus are those who bear the weight of wisdom and knowledge. Among Sikhs, the word takes on another meaning because the Gurus do not simply teach and guide individuals; they are community leaders as well.

Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the first Guru, belonged to the Hindu kshatriya caste. Following a mystical experience, he visited various parts of the world, teaching that everything is created by God, and the way to come close to him is through devotion and meditation, not ritual. After his travels, he re-united with his family in Kartarpur in the Punjab and composed 974 hymns, expressing his realization of God. His teachings were later compiled into the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib.

Guru Angad (1504-52) was chosen by Guru Nanak as his successor. By selecting a follower rather than a son, Guru Nanak set a pattern for Guruship based on devotion rather than kinship. Angad created Gurmukhi, the script used for the Punjabi language and the writings for the Guru Granth Sahib, as well as 62 hymns that were later incorporated into the Guru Granth Sahib.

Guru Amar Das (1479-1574) became the third Guru at the age of 73. He promoted the free communal kitchen, langar, which was open to serve all day and night. He also introduced the birth and death ceromonies for Sikhs.
Guru Ram Das (1534-1581), the fourth Guru, founded Amritsar, the most sacred city for Sikhs. His followers dug the pool that was to become the Harminder Sahib, the lake that surrounds the Golden Temple, which became the most important Sikh temple.

Guru Arjan (1563-1606), son of Guru Ram Das, became the fifth Guru. He collected the hymns of the previous Gurus, and, with his own 2,216 contributions, prepared the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. In addition, he built the Golden Temple that was to house the scriptures.
Guru Hargobind (1595-1644), the sixth Guru, proclaimed that the Guru must be a military leader as well as a spiritual leader. He also founded the town of Kiratpur.

Guru Har Rai (1603-1661), grandson of Guru Hargobind, was the seventh Guru.
Guru Har Krishan (1656-1664), the eighth Guru, was the youngest Guru.

Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675), the ninth Guru, was barred from Amritsar by the ruling Mughal empire. He was beheaded in Delhi by Muslims after helping Kashmiri Brahmins against forcible conversion to Islam by the emperor Aurangzeb.

Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) became the tenth and final living Guru after his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was executed. Guru Gobind Singh resisted oppression by the Mughal authorities and Hindu kings, and he exemplified the Sikh ideal of a saint-soldier, someone in whom sanctity and heroism are combined. He was the founder of the Khalsa as well as a poet.

The concept of Guru is central to the Sikh faith, and applies to God, the ten human masters, the scriptures, and the community. Consequently, many Sikh names begin with Gur, as do important words such as gurmukh (one who is oriented toward the Guru); Gurmukhi (the script of the Guru Granth Sahib and the Punjabi language), and gurdwara (the place of worship). The ten Gurus saw the Guru as the spiritual guide within, and God is often referred to as Wah Guru. In Sikh belief, all the Gurus are one in spirit; their souls are indistinguishable. To emphasize the oneness of the Gurus, the authorship of the hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib is not ascribed to individual Gurus by name, but by their number in the succession of Gurus.

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2010, 06:32:37 AM »

Life of Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak was born in 1469, in a small village, Talwandi, in current day Pakistan. He married at 12 years old and worked as an accountant, but he constantly portrayed interest in a quest of spirtuality. In 1499, while bathing in the Bein River, Nanak experienced the call of God. When he came from the river after 3 days, he gave away his possessions and said, "There is neither Hindu nor Muslim." In other words, God is greater than the divided opinions of religions. Nanak began to travel where he taught and chanted hymns and established worship places. He settled in Kartarpur with his followers and died around September of 1539. Before his death, he designated one of his most devoted and spiritual followers, Lahina, to be his successor as Guru, and thus the Sikh movement continued after Nanak's death with a succession of Gurus.
Portraits of Guru Nanak are common in the households of Punjab. Nanak wears a saffron robe and a shawl. These are the traditional clothing of a person who has chosen a spiritual path and remind people of Guru Nanak's foremost role as a spiritual teacher, who humbles the proud and enlightens the devout. He is always shown wearing a mukat, a crown-shaped turban. His half-closed eyes represent spiritual ecstasy, the divine intoxication of mystical meditation. He is always portrayed with a flowing white beard, which gives the impression of of a wise old sage and is in accordance with the Sikh ideal of uncut hair.
Guru Nanak and the Rich Man
Guru Nanak came to Lahore in current day Pakistan, where there was a rich man, Duni Chand, who was holding a feast offered to Brahmins. He believed that whatever he offered to the Brahmins would reach his father in heaven. Guru Nanak gave Duni Chand a needle and said that he must give it back to him in heaven. Duni Chand asked Nanak how it would be possible for him to take a needle to heaven. Guru Nanak told him that it is not possible to take anything with us; it is more important to be charitable to those living.

Guru Nanak Visits Mecca
Nanak and his companions arrived at the Muslim city of Mecca. They went to sleep in the precincts of the Great Mosque, and a passing Muslim official was shocked to find that the visitors were sleeping with their feet pointing towards the Ka'ba, the sacred shrine. At the Muslim's command, an attendent siezed the legs of the visitors and dragged them away, and the Ka'ba moved too. Guru Nanak said to the official, "God does not live in one place. He lives everywhere."

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2010, 06:35:50 AM »

The Guru Granth Sahib

"Such is the nature of the true believer that like the sandal tree he imparts his fragrance to all."

In 1603, Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru, began to collect the inspired and inspiring poetry of both himself and the earlier Gurus. A Granth (meaning "book") was needed, because the Sikh philosophy was spreading widely, and because hymns of doubtful authenticity were being attributed to the earlier Gurus. Guru Arjan and the faithful Bhai Gurdas went to a quiet place near Amritsar where they compiled the Adi Granth ("the Primal Book"). Almost all the hymns are organized in 31 sections following musical scales (raag). Each line in the Adi Granth is referred to by its raag, author, and sometimes also by a title. Poems by Hindus and Muslims are also included. In 1708 the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, appointed the Adi Granth as his successor (so that after him there would be no human Guru), and it became the Guru of the Sikhs. The Adi Granth is therefore known as Guru Granth Sahib.

Guru Gobind Singh and the Holy Book
Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and last in the line of human Gurus. Before his death, he declared the authority of the Gurus as religious and political leaders would be passed into the sacred scriptures of the Guru Granth Sahib, as well as into the Sikh community of the Guru Panth. Although the Guru's own compositions do not appear in the holy book, he was a prolific poet, and much of his work is collected in the Dasam Granth.

The Text: The script used in the holy book is called Gurmukhi. The script was created by Guru Angad Dev for all people regardless of social class. Gurmukhi uses 10 vowels and 40 consonants.
Songs of Praise: The holy book has contributions by Sikh Gurus, bhagats, and Hindu and Muslim poets. The standard length of the scriptures is 1,430 pages. It is always stressed in the Sikh faith that only what is contained in the book is important. In other words, without the true name of God all ritualistic reading from the book is meaningless. Guru Nanak stated: "The only temple that matters is inside one's self"

Requirements for Reading: Unlike many other religions, both men and women can officiate at Sikh ceremonies, and either can read the Guru Granth Sahib. There is no ordained or special priest-like privaleges needed, only the ability to read is required.

Random reading: There are many ways of reading the Guru Granth Sahib. Practices include akhand path, a continuous 48-hour reading; and wak, guidance obtained by opening at random and reading the hymn on the left-hand page.

The Adi Granth and the Guru Granth Sahib: There are two names for the Sikh holy book: the Adi Granth, the primal text, and the Guru Granth Sahib, the embodied Guru of the Sikh tradition. It is the most important of all Sikh scriptures and is primal in the sense that Sikhs believe it uncovers the truth about God, the Primal Being, which has been true for all eternity. It contains hymns of varying lengths, mostly conveying the message that spiritual liberation comes through a belief in the divine name, or Nam, not through ritualism.

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2010, 06:39:10 AM »

The Golden Temple

"All places have I seen, none can compare to thee."
-- Guru Arjan

The Sikh Gurus recognized how easily temple worship and pilgrimage can become empty rituals, and he encouraged his followers to seek God where he may always be found - not outside in buildings, but within one's own being. The Name, Nam, dwells within everyone, as does the soundless Word of Truth, why search outside for what can be found within? But provided this is understood as the priority, it does not prevent Sikhs from building shrines to mark important places and events in Sikh history. The Golden Temple, or Harimandir Sahib, built by Guru Arjan in Amritsar, Punjab is the most important gurdwara, or Sikh temple, for the Sikhs.

The Wish of Guru Arjan
Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru, wanted the Golden Temple to be open for worship to all, regardless of caste, color, country, or sex. He declared all occupations sacred and all classes equal, and stated:

"If I go to a temple, I see men boasting;
If I enquire of Brahmins, I find them proud.
O my friends, show me that place
Where only God's praises are always sung."

The Harimandir: The Golden Temple, which was completed in 1601 by Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru, stands at the center of the holy lake of Amritsar and houses the sacred book of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib. In the Punjabi language, the temple is called Harimandir Sahib (House of God).
Taking Langar: The practice of langar, eating a communal meal, is central to the Sikh community and reflects the Sikh ideal of charity and service, where each gives according to their capacity and takes according to their needs. A Punjabi meal is provided free to all who come, regardless of caste or status. Everyone present must sit on the ground, stressing equality.

The History of the Golden Temple: The Golden Temple was first built in 1601, and the Guru Granth Sahib was installed in 1604. Always a political as well as a religious center, the temple has been the scene of many conflicts. Afghan invaders seized Amritsar in 1756 and desecrated the temple. A few years after being rebuilt, in 1762, another Afghan attack from Ahmad Shah destroyed the temple and polluted the sacred lake with the bodies of slaughtered cows. The latest conflict at the temple was in 1984, when there was damage to the temple due to conflict with the Indian government.

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2010, 06:41:03 AM »

Founding of the Khalsa

"manas ki jat sab ik hi pahchanho"
"All men are the same"

-- Guru Gobind Singh

uring those times, the Punjabi people, including Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims were severely persecuted under the ruling Mughal empire. The Mughals beheaded Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru, after he helped Hindus against forcible conversion to Islam, and executed Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru, for refusing to convert. In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last Guru, founded the Khalsa in reaction to the constant persecution and aimed at creating a community based on spirituality and strength with a strong identity. The Guru's efforts injected a new blood into the body of the downtrodden and made his followers become a synonym of high consciousness, high purpose, and co-existence. The Khalsa gave people self-confidence, self-esteem, and national pride, and, in the process, abolished all boundaries based on birth, caste, religion, and profession. Guru Gobind Singh's creation prepared the people for the collective action of the common good, and was the first national effort to create a social order based on the concepts of equality and unity of human race.

Five Beloved Ones: In 1699 Guru Gobind Singh invited all Sikhs to a fair at Anandpur where he asked if anyone was willing to die to prove their faith in him. One by one, five Sikhs entered his tent. Each time, the Guru came out with his sword wet with blood. When the crowd thought they were all dead, he revealed the Panj Pyare, the five beloved ones, alive.
Guru Gobind Singh is Initiated: Having initiated the five Sikhs into the new Khalsa community, he asked them to initiate him, then declared: "The Khalsa is the Guru and the Guru is the Khalsa." In this way the Guru emphasized the equality of all Sikhs.

Wife of Guru Gobind Singh: Guru Gobind Singh's wife helped him in the initiation of people, both men and women, into the Khalsa. The Guru intended men and women to be treated as equals.

The Five K's
When the men who had offered their lives to the Guru came out of the tent, they all carried swords and wore the same safron uniform and the 5 "Ks" as he did. The Guru said to them: "My brothers, I have made you the same as I am." He asked all Sikhs to wear the 5 "Ks":

Kesh, uncut hair, the traditional Asian image of saintliness
Kangha, the comb; for the hair
Kara, steel bangle
Kachh, undergarment
Kirpan, a dagger; reminder to fight against injustice
The 5 "Ks" and the turban compose the uniform of the Khalsa. It portrays the image of the Guru, and depicts the Sikh ideal of a saint-soldier, one who aspires to be spirtual and brave.

Words of the Guru: Guru Gobind Singh described the Khalsa as follows:
Khalsa is the breath of my body,
Khalsa is the very soul of my life,
Khalsa is my real pride and glory,
Khalsa is my own personal self,
Khalsa is my life's sustainer,
Khalsa is my body and breath,
Khalsa is my creed and karma,
Khalsa is my conscience keeper,
Khalsa is my perfect satguru,
Khalsa is my brave friend,
Khalsa gives me intellect and wisdom,
Khalsa is my object of meditation.

The Khalsa in History: The Khalsa uniform is a reminder to the wearer to use the Gurus' actions as a model for their own. It also emphasizes the equality of the human race. Women and men throughout the globe have adopted or continue to follow the Khalsa tradition, and those that wear a turban have the respectful title of being called Sardars. To many, the "Ks" are an integral part of their identity and existance as individuals.

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2010, 06:42:39 AM »

Basic Beliefs and Facts

"Truth is higher than everything; but higher still is truthful living."
-- Guru Nanak Dev

There is one God.
"One Universal Creator God. The Name Is Truth. Creative Being Personified. No Fear. No Hatred. Image Of The Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent. By Guru`s Grace"

Life's goal is to go beyond the cycle of births and deaths. This can be done by giving higher value to the spiritual rather than the material things, and by conquering anger, greed, lust, worldy attachment, and pride.
"Renouncing false greed, one comes to realize the Truth."
"Cruelty, material attachment, greed and anger are the four rivers of fire."
"Through the material universe of Shakti, no one has ever found the Lord; they continue to be born and die in reincarnation."
"May my egotism and possessiveness be burnt to ashes, and my greed and egotistical pride consigned to the fire."

Rejection of ritualism such as superstitions, religious vegetarianism, pilgrimages, fasting, and idol worship.
"Worship, fasting, ceremonial marks on one`s forehead, cleansing baths, generous donations to charities and self-mortification ...the Lord Master is not pleased with any of these rituals, no matter how sweetly one may speak."
"The fools argue about flesh and meat, but they know nothing about meditation and spiritual wisdom. What is called meat, and what is called green vegetables? What leads to sin?"
"Those who renounce meat, and hold their noses when sitting near it, devour men at night. They practice hypocrisy, and make a show before other people, but they do not understand anything about meditation or spiritual wisdom."
"If I am pleasing to Him, then that is my pilgrimage and cleansing bath. Without pleasing Him, what good are ritual cleansings?"

Rejection of distinctions in caste, creed, and race. Sikhism believes in the full equality of women and rejects female infanticide, wife burning, and allows widow remarriage.
"Recognize the Lord`s Light within all, and do not consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes in the world hereafter."
"As Gurmukh, look upon all with the single eye of equality; in each and every heart, the Divine Light is contained."
"Among all the women and the men, His Light is shining."

One should work hard and honestly rather than beg or use dishonest means.
"One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has. O Nanak, he knows the Path."

One should aim to help the less fortunate and share with others.
" Center your awareness on seva-selfless service-and focus your consciousness on the Word of the Shabad."

Sikhs are not required to renounce the world; they must find the way and the will of God in their everyday life.
" You may practice celibacy, truth, austere self-discipline and rituals, but without the Guru, you shall not be emancipated."
" Let your daily worship be the knowledge that God is everywhere."

Dad Di Bibbi Dhee · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2010, 08:21:58 PM »

Well done Ji
THnku for this topic making
ALL is well written

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2010, 10:17:22 PM »

well

siso kuch ta pasand aya

*rAbh RaKHA* · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2010, 03:24:23 PM »

jus wondering wotz the history behind giving gurl's kaur name n guys singh?

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #10 on:** June 18, 2010, 07:27:28 AM »

Quote from: ღ∂αѕнιηg ๓เรђгเღ on June 17, 2010, 03:24:23 PM

jus wondering wotz the history behind giving gurl's kaur name n guys singh?

http://punjabijanta.com/lok-virsa/history-of-kaur-singh/

*rAbh RaKHA* · « **Reply #11 on:** June 18, 2010, 03:23:25 PM »

Quote from: • » ∂єѕι נαттι « • on June 18, 2010, 07:27:28 AM

http://punjabijanta.com/lok-virsa/history-of-kaur-singh/

sanu pata c tusi eh post kar dena.. it was jus kinda a reminder thing from mah side...ohda thora thora pata c sanu ke kaur name kyon dita geya c..luv ya for wotever u r doing :hug:

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #12 on:** June 18, 2010, 10:07:09 PM »

Quote from: on June 18, 2010, 03:23:25 PM

sanu pata c tusi eh post kar dena.. it was jus kinda a reminder thing from mah side...ohda thora thora pata c sanu ke kaur name kyon dita geya c..luv ya for wotever u r doing :hug:

chalo sis thori hor information naal gayi..... hor kuch?

B̲l̲i̲n̲g̲ · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2011, 10:24:38 PM »

kmal aa ji

҂ ȿḉặᵰɗἷἧäѷїѧҋ↔ᶀɍǐȶĩṧӊ ₰ · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2011, 06:26:39 AM »

: Interesting enough.

mehak gill · « **Reply #15 on:** March 17, 2011, 06:41:27 AM »

really awsomee bahut gud topic lagga g

shokeen-munda · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2011, 06:50:28 AM »

hey desi thnku dear,

bhut hi wadhiya topic banaya ah tusi, sab nu read karna chaida ah, nd follows the guru's all teachiing

Author Topic: History Of Sikhism (Read 7606 times)

Kudi Nepal Di

History Of Sikhism

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