Sikhism - 23 Million Believers – mystical monotheism - a blend of Islam (Sufism) and Hinduism.
1500 AD – Guru Nanak experiences divine revelation in response to Islam, Hinduism
Belief – Shri Guru Nanek Dev Ji, was born in the Punjab area of what is now Pakistan. At Sultanpur, he received a vision to preach the way to enlightenment and God. He is responsible for the saying “There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim” which has since become one of the pillars of Sikhism. He taught monotheism and the brotherhood of humanity. He rejected idol worship, and the Hindu concept of caste.
Reincarnation/Samsara – the repetitive cycle of birth, life and death, karma the accumulated sum of one’s good and bad deeds, and reincarnation the belief of a rebirth following death. These beliefs are similar to Hinduism. Sikhs have rejected the caste system of the Hindu religion. They believe that everyone has equal status in the eyes of God. This is a very important principle that permeates all Sikh beliefs, behaviors, and rituals.
What defines a Sikh - Any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being. The Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh. The Guru Granth Sahib, The utterances and teachings of the Ten Gurus. The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru. Who does not owe allegiance to any other religion is a Sikh.
Sikh Symbol - The Khanda symbolizes God’s Universal and Creative Power. In it’s center is a double edged sword, which symbolizes the primal and almighty power of the creator. The Chakkar, like the Kara it is a circle representing God without beginning or end and reminding Sikhs to remain within the rule of God. Two crossed kirpans representing spiritual authority and political power. The two swords on the outside are symbols of the spiritual and political balance in the universe. This represents the belief in one God.
Sacred Text - Shri Guru Granth, consists of hymns and writings by the first nine Gurus, along with religious text from different Muslim and Hindu saints like: Kabir Ji, Baba Sheik Farid Ji, Bhagat Namdev, Bhagat Rav Dass Ji.
God – Sikhs believe in a single, Formless God, with many names, who can be known through meditation. This concept is similar to Islam whose followers believe in a single God who has 99 names.
Place of worship - Gurdwaras – temples, shrines or holy places. The most sacred is Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple, at Amritsar. All places where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is installed are equally holy.
Guru - In Sikhism means the descent of divine guidance to mankind provided through ten Enlightened Masters. The honor of being called a Sikh Guru applies only to the ten Gurus who founded the religion starting with Guru Nanak in 1469 and ending with Guru Gobind Singh in 1708; thereafter it refers to the Sikh Holy Scriptures of the Guru Granth Sahib.
