SIKHISM

Mandeep Singh Bawa 1 GAISS Equity Education Director

Who are the Sikhs?

Agenda
Origin of Sikhism What is a Sikh? What is a Guru? Birth of Sikhism & the 10 Gurus Birth of the Khalsa & The 5 Ks Sikh Beliefs The Guru Granth Sahib Gurdwara & The Golden Temple Importance of Identity Sikh Dastar (Turban) Dastar Bandi & Anand Karaj Sikhs in North America
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Origin of Sikhism

CHINA

IRAN
AFGHANISTAN PAKISTAN

INDIA

INDIA

What is a Sikh?
Sikh means Student or Disciple Sikhism is worlds 5th largest religion, after Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism 26 million Sikhs worldwide 20 million in India 1 million in North America 99 % of the people wearing TURBANS in America are Sikhs

What is a Guru?
Guru means Spiritual Enlightener
The term GURU implies descendant of divine guidance to mankind sent from God. Literally translated: GUmeans darkness and RU means light. Thus, Guru means the Light that dispels darkness. Therefore, Guru Nanak was the embodiment of divine light.

Birth of Sikhism
Guru Nanak Dev Ji 1st Guru Born in 1469 during a time when: Rich exploited the poor Women had no role in society Land divided by religion Caste system prevailed
Guru Nanak founded Sikhism based on equality and justice for all and taught us that all human beings regardless of skin color, wealth, caste, and gender are created equal.

Truth is high; still higher is truthful living - Guru Nanak Dev Ji

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Guru Nanak Dev jis Principles

Naam Japo:
Chanting the Holy Name and thus remembering God at all times (ceaseless devotion to God). Earning/making a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud. Sharing with others, helping those with less who are in need.

Kirat Kar:
Vand Chakk:

These principles became the FOUNDATION of Sikhism.

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The 10 Gurus

The 10 Gurus
Guru Nanak Dev ji Founded Sikhism Guru Angad Dev ji Introduced new alphabet known as Gurmukhi Script, started langar Guru Amardas ji Embodiment of Seva (service) Guru Ramdas ji Built the holy city of Amritsar Guru Arjan Dev ji Compiled Guru Granth Sahib, built Golden Temple, First Sikh Martyr Guru Hargobind ji Miri (Temporal Strength) and Piri (Spiritual Strength) Guru Har Rai ji Opened Free hospitals for those in need,

man breaks flowers with one hand and offers them with the other, but the flowers perfume both hands alike. The axe cuts the sandal tree, yet the sandal perfumes the axe. Guru Har Rai Ji 10

The 10 Gurus
Guru Har Krishan ji Devoted his life to helping the sick Guru Tegh Bahadur ji - Championed religious freedom, martyred while fighting for religious freedom Guru Gobind Singh ji Created Khalsa (comes from the Persian word khalis meaning Pure),

A splendid Divine Light shone in the darkness of the night. Pir Bhikan Shah, a Muslim mystic performed his prayers in that Easterly direction (instead of towards the West, contrary to his daily practice), and guided by this Divine Light, he traveled with a group of his followers until he reached Patna Sahib in Bihar, India.
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Birth of the Khalsa

During the spring of 1699, the Guru called his followers for a special gathering. Symbolized a revitalization of the Sikh identity and the evolution of the Sikh community into saint-soldiers. After initiating the five "beloved ones" into the new order of the Khalsa, the Guru knelt before them and requested that they initiate him. Gave the names Singh (Lion) to men and Kaur (Princess) to women. Khalsa Sikhs identified with the 5 Ks.
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Articles of Faith
5 Ks mandatory articles of faith
Kesh Uncut hair: Sikhs do not cut hair or beards to remain in the image that God gave us. Kachera - Under-shorts (boxers) to represent modesty and fidelity (virtuous character) Kanga Comb, made of wood - to keep uncut hair neat and clean. Kara Bracelet, made of steel worn on right hand a reminder of noble actions, a symbol of eternity. Kirpan - Ceremonial small blunt knife symbolizing freedom, liberty and justice.

Khanda

The Khanda: is the double edged sword that represents Gods power, the circle is for continuity, the two outer swords for spiritual and political balance.
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Sikh Beliefs
There is One God for all of creation, a loving Creator attainable through the Grace Goal is to be one with god Selfless service towards the entire Creation Truth, fearless, non-hateful spirit are important in attaining salvation Absolute equality of humanity Defenders of social and spiritual justice Bhai Kanhiya pioneer of the Red Living a moral, truthful and hardworking Cross & humanitarian aide organizations existence Humility and loving action Defending the rights of the downtrodden and 15 oppressed

Guru Granth Sahib ji

Guru means Spiritual teacher who dispels the ignorance. Granth implies a Scripture containing divine knowledge. Sahib is added as a mark of respect, which literally means The Master or The Lord.
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Guru Granth Sahib ji

Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru declared Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the eternal Guru and ultimate spiritual authority for the Sikhs.
Guru Granth Sahib the Sikh Scripture is purely monotheistic 1430 pages The Gurus Experience of the Divine Also included were a few hymns from Hindu and Muslim saints who believed in ONE God The main teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib are cultivating a real personal devotion to God, fostering compassion and service for people who are poor or suffering, and promoting equality and seeking harmony among all human beings The central theme of the Guru Granth Sahib is concerned with the creation of a just social order and the commitment to social and gender equality and peaceful coexistence

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Gurdwara Place of Worship

The Sikh religious service follows the traditions started by the 1st Guru to promote equality and alleviate suffering. It has 3 components: 1. Sangat: Community prayer through readings from the Guru Granth Sahib and singing of hymns (Kirtan).

2. Pangat: A sense of equality with everyone seated on the ground - at the same level.
3. Langar: Community vegetarian meal for all.

Protocol to be observed in the Gurdwara:

Heads covered Shoes removed Sit on floor All are WELCOME

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Gurdwara Place of Worship

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The Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is the most sacred of places for the Sikhs. To enter one has to descend stairs teaches humility. There are doors on all fours sides, which signifies that people from all over the world are invited irrespective of caste, color, religion, and race. 24/7 Langar.
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Sikh Dastar (Turban)

Mandatory not a social or cultural article. Covers long, uncut hair. Approx. 15 feet of cloth wrapped neatly around the head. Boys wear patka . Symbolizes discipline, integrity, humility, and spirituality. Middle East head coverings different. 99% of people wearing TURBANS in US are Sikhs, not Muslims or Hindus.

Types of Turbans

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Sikh Dastar (Turban)

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Importance of Identity
Sikhs feel severely humiliated if asked to remove their turban in public, as this breaks a sacred covenant with god and exposes an intimate part of the body. It is very insulting and disrespectful to a Sikh to remove his or her turban. Turbans are a mandatory part of Sikh faith. A turban is not a hat. It cannot be casually taken on and off. It must be carefully retied each time it is removed. Treat the turban with respect.
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Dastar Bandi
A very important and exciting event in the life of a Sikh boy comes when he starts tying the turban (Usually between 10-14 years of age). Family will have a special function to celebrate the occasion, which is called Dastar Bandi. The boy is is seated in front of Guru Granth Sahib ji and an elder ties the turban on his head. Prayers are said to invoke Guru's blessing for the boy.
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Anand Karaj
The Sikh marriage is called 'Anand Karaj' which means the ceremony of joy. The Sikh wedding is held in the morning in a Gurdwara in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
One Soul in Two Bodies
"They are not said to be husband and wife, who merely sit together. Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies." (Guru
Amar Das Ji, Pauri, pg 788, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
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Sikhs in North America

Arrived around late 1890s Places California, Oregon and Washington British Columbia Farming & Lumber Industry Immigration Barriers by 1920s

Vancouver Diamond Jubilee 1897 Hong Kong Regiment

San Francisco Chronicle, April 6, 1899

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Some Sikh Public Faces

Gurbax Singh Mahli First Turbaned Sikh in Canadian Parliament Dr. Manmohan Singh Indian Prime Minister

Baltej Singh Dhillon First Turbaned Sikh in Royal Canadian Mounted Police Narinder Singh Kapani Father of Fiber Optics T Sher Singh Recognized with the Order of Canada

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Some Sikh Public Faces

Nuvraj Singh Bassi University of Oregon Football Player

Colonel Sekhon United States Army

Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Artists

Bhagat Singh Thind US Army 1912

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Respect for All

Equality of all religions and people Give relevance to God rather than religion Believers of interfaith diversity Sikhism believes that there are many paths to God. Anyone can achieve salvation irrespective of the religion that they follow if they endear God in their heart and daily actions
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References
SikhiWiki (www.Sikhiwiki.org) SikhNet (www.sikhnet.com) All About Sikhs (www.allaboutsikhs.org) Sikh Council USA (www.sikhcouncilusa.org) GAISS (www.guruangadinstitute.org) UNITED SIKHS (www.unitedsikhs.org) SALDEF (www.saldef.org) Sikh Coalition (www.sikhcoalition.org)
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ONE GOD IN ALL

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