Sikhism, or Sikhi, is an Indian religion that began towards the end of the 15th century CE in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. Sikhism’s history begins with Guru Nanak’s life, times, and teachings (1469-1539). It is one of the world’s newest major organized religions, with approximately 25–30 million adherents (known as Sikhs) as of the early twenty-first century. 

Origin

• Sikhism emerged at a time when India’s two dominant religious traditions, Hinduism and Islam, were increasingly at odds.
• Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith, is often portrayed as a mediator between the two opposing traditions.
• In 1496, Guru Nanak attained enlightenment in Sultanpur.
• He traveled extensively after attaining enlightenment to teach the message of love and brotherhood.
• Under Guru Nanak’s successors, the number of Guru Nanak’s followers grew throughout the sixteenth century.
• They were from a variety of castes, but traders, agriculturists, artisans, and craftsmen were the most common. They were also obliged to contribute to the community of followers’ general funds.
• The town of Ramdaspur (Amritsar) had grown up around the major Gurdwara known as Harmandir Sahib by the beginning of the seventeenth century (Golden Temple).
• The early seventeenth-century Sikh community was almost self-governing, and modern historians refer to it as a “state within a state.”

Significance

• Guru Nanak preached a message of compassion and understanding, criticizing Hindu and Muslim blind traditions.
• Guru Nanak’s enlightened leadership of this new religion was passed down to nine Gurus in succession.
• Influences: The Bhakti movement and Vaishnava Hinduism affected the formation of Sikhism. Sikhism, on the other hand, was not merely a continuation of the Bhakti movement.
• Sikhism arose during the Mughal Empire’s sway over the region.
• The Mughal rulers tortured and executed two Sikh gurus, Guru Arjan and Guru Tegh Bahadur after they refused to convert to Islam.
• The Khalsa was founded as an order for freedom of conscience and religion in response to the persecution of Sikhs during the Islamic era.
• Guru Gobind Singh, the last living Guru, founded the Khalsa order (meaning “The Pure”) of soldier-saints. The Khalsa upholds the highest Sikh characteristics of devotion, commitment, and social awareness.
• The Khalsa are men and women who have been baptized in the Sikh faith and who adhere to the Sikh Code of Conduct and Conventions, as well as wearing the five K’s – Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (a wooden comb), Kara (an iron bracelet), Kachera (cotton underwear), and Kirpan (an iron knife).
• Sikhism does not have priests, as Guru Gobind Singh eliminated them. They had become corrupt and egotistical, according to the Guru.
• The Guru Granth Sahib (granthi) has only custodians among Sikhs, and any Sikh is free to read it in the Gurdwara (a Sikh temple) or at home.
• The Gurudwara is open to people of all religions. At every Gurdwara, there is a free community kitchen that serves meals to people of all religions. It is called Langer.
• This institution was founded by Guru Nanak and defines the essential Sikh principles of service, humility, and equality.
• The “Sikh Rahit Maryada,” a treatise outlining Sikh responsibilities, lists four rituals that qualify as rites of passage.
  • The first is a gurdwara-based birth and naming ceremony.
  • The Anand Karaj (joyful union), or marriage ceremony, is the second rite.
  • The Amrit sanskar, or ceremony for initiation into the Khalsa, is the third and most essential rite.
  • The funeral rite is the fourth rite.
• A Sikh’s three responsibilities can be summed up in three words: pray, work, and give.
  • Nam Japna means “always remembering God.”
  • Kirt Karna – Trying to make a decent living. A Sikh tries to live honestly because God is the truth. Sikhs shun gambling, begging, and working in the alcohol and cigarette sectors, among other things.
  • Vand Chhakna (Literally, sharing one’s earnings with others) – Caring for others and donating to charity.
• Sikhs strive to avoid the five vices that cause people to become self-centered and create impediments in their life. Lust, covetousness, greed, as well as devotion to worldly possessions, rage, and pride, are examples.

Tenets of Sikhism

• Only one God exists (Ek Onkar “Ek” is One and “Onkar” is God). For all people of all religions, he is the same God.
• Before taking on the human form, the soul goes through a series of births and deaths. The purpose of our lives is to live exemplary lives to merge with God.
• Sikhs should remember God at all times and strive to live a noble and genuine life while balancing their spiritual and temporal responsibilities.
• The true way to salvation and union with God does not necessitate renunciation of the world or celibacy, but rather living a householder’s life, earning an honest living, and avoiding worldly temptations and sins.
• Fasting, pilgrimage, superstitions, dead worship, idol worship, and other mindless rituals are all condemned in Sikhism.
• Sikhism teaches that people of all races, religions, and genders are equal in God’s eyes. It teaches men and women to be completely equal.
• Women are welcome to attend any religious event, conduct any Sikh ceremony, or lead the assembly in prayer.