Author Topic: The Khalsa (Read 1936 times)

punjabee · « **on:** October 30, 2007, 12:13:18 AM »

SIKHISM

Sikhism is ranked as the world's fifth largest religion. It began about 500 years ago by Guru Nanak and preaches a message of devotion and remembrance to God at all times, truthful living and equality of mankind and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book, Adi Granth or Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Sikhs believe that God is Monistic or Non-dual. He is the creator of the Universe, whose existence and continued survival depends on His will. God is both Saguna (with attributes) and Nirguna (without attributes) and is called by names such as Sat (truth), Sat Guru (true Guru), Akal Purkh (timeless being), Kartar (creator) and Wahi-Guru (praise to the God). Sikhism does not believe in incarnation of God in the human form. However, belief in the ten Gurus - spiritual guides who dispel ignorance and darkness is the essential element of Sikh religion. It disapproves asceticism and self-mortification as path to enlightenment. The only way to achieve liberation (mukti) from the cycle of birth and death is by being God-conscious (gurmukh).
Sikhs follow the path of japa i.e. recitation of hymn, devotional prayers (kirtana) and singing the names of God (e.g., Nam Simran).
The concept of Khalsa, literally meaning 'the pure', was introduced by Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib on the Baisakhi day of 13th April 1699. He established this new fraternity with five followers (later known as Panj Pyares), who were baptized with amrit as Khalsas. The Khalsa symbolised coalescence of serenity and strength, purity and power, shastra (scripture) and shastra (weapon), and the power of wisdom (jnana shakti) and the power of action (kriya shakti).
It was made obligatory for every Sikh to wear the Five K's - Kesha (long hair), Kangha (comb), Kara (steel bracelet), Kaccha (short drawers) and Kirpan (sword).The year 1999 marked the tercentenary of the Khalsa Panth.
The Guru Granth Sahib (also known as the Adi Granth) is considered the Supreme Spiritual Authority and Head of the Sikh religion. It is perhaps the only scripture of its kind which not only contains the works of its own religious founders but also writings of people from other faiths. Guru Granth Sahib, containing 1430 pages, is a collection of devotional hymns and poetry which proclaims God, lays stress on meditation on the True Guru (God) and lays down moral and ethical rules for development of the soul, spiritual salvation and unity with God. The writings of the Gurus appear chronologically. Each of the Gurus signed their hymns as Nanak. Their compositions are identified by the numerals at the beginning of each hymn, i.e. Mahalla 1 is Guru Nanak, Mahalla 2 is Guru Angad and so on, followed by those of other 34 saints (Bhagtas) and other contributors. Guru Granth Sahib has 3,384 hymns, of which Guru Nanak Dev contributed 974 hymns including sloks and pauris, Guru Angad Dev contributed 62 sloks, Guru Amar Das contributed 907 hymns including sloks and pauris, Guru Ram Das contributed 679 hymns including sloks and pauris, Guru Arjan Dev contributed 2,218 hymns including sloks and pauris, Guru Tegh Bahadur contributed 59 hymns and 56 sloks, while Guru Gobind Singh contributed 1 slok.
It also contains Bhagatas of Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas, Sheikh Farid, Trilochan, Dhanna, Beni, Sheikh Bhikan, Jaidev, Surdas, Parmanand, Pipa and Ramanand.
The fifth Guru Arjan Dev began the great task of collection of the holy compositions as Sri (Amritsar) and compiled the Holy Granth Sahib.
The tenth Guru Gobind Singhji ceded the Guru-Gaddi to Sri Guru Granth Sahib commanding that the Holy Book be henceforth regarded as the Eternal Guru of the Khalsa Panth"To love is to risk not being loved in return.To hope is to risk pain.To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

Author Topic: The Khalsa (Read 1936 times)

punjabee

The Khalsa

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