The pandits, the religious scholars, cannot find that time, even if it is written in the puraanas. Despite being so young, it is the fifth largest religion in the world with over 20 million followers. Devoted meditation on the name of god because his name represents greatness, holiness, and everything else we strive to attain. Sikhism emphasizes simran, meditation and remembrance of the words of god, which can be expressed musically through kirtan, or internally through naam japna meditation on his name as a means to feel god s presence. Guru grant sahib the most sacred object in sikhism is the guru granth sahib also called the adi granth, the sikh holy book. Sikhism god revealed in the guru granth sahib following. The purpose of sikhism is to meditate on the name of god and to explore the wonder of the earth in communion with all people. Originally, the religion relied on the teaching of living gurus. Sikhism and the belief of god and worship 1575 words. Jan 26, 2018 devoted meditation on the name of god because his name represents greatness, holiness, and everything else we strive to attain. Some scholars believe that sikhs are of aryan stock but general sir john gordon in his book the sikhs 1904 states that they may be the descendants of the scythian invaders that entered north india.
Sikhs believe that there is only one god, and the gods of all other religions are simply different manifestations of this single god. Sikhism for ks1 and ks2 children sikhism faith homework. While christianity is about 2,000 years old, sikhism is a relatively newer religion that originated in the indian subcontinent in the fifteenth century. The principal belief of sikhism is faith in waheguru, or the universal god. Similarly, the name raam, paarbrahm, krishan which are names of god used by hindus are frequently mentioned in the sikh holy scriptures. Sri guru granth sahib ji emphasize greatly on naam, the name of the god.
The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. According to sikhism, god himself sent guru nanak to deliver his message to the world, without jamming his name in the name of god. Sikhs are monotheists, meaning that they believe in one god, the almighty creator, who is allpervading, incomprehensible, and unattainable. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 gurus enshrined in the sikh holy book and living guru, sri guru granth sahib. The concept of god is the fundamental which forms the entire structure and worldview of a religious system. First book also called granth or granth sahib, the sacred scripture of sikhism. The mool mantar, the first hymn composed by guru nanak, is recited daily by many sikhs. The fundamental principles of the sikh religion are also inscribed in the holy book, the guru granth sahib. Sikhism does not support pilgrimage to holy sites because according to sikhism, god is everywhere and not in any certain place. The 10th guru, gobind singh, declared that he would have no living successor, and this collection of teachings would become the ultimate guru for the sikh. It has over 3000 hymns and instructions to lead a good sikh life. Sikhs do not believe that jesus is god because sikhism teaches that god is neither born, nor dead. Sikhs believe in one god who guides and protects them. The sikh holy book guru granth sahib is the perpetual guru, there is no place in sikhism for a living guru today.
God has been described in numerous ways, but there are seven significant aspects which need particular mention in order to explain the concept of god in sikhism. The name and or naam of god is onkar ik was placed before it as onkar is present in all creation and their is no duality, creation and creator are one. Sikhism began over 500 years ago in an area called the punjab in india. The sri gur granth sahib is the holy book for sikhs, as guru gobind singh teached us. The secret information about supreme god has been showcased via this article, and the information has been taken from the holy book, shri guru granth sahib sikhism. Therefore, sikhisms holy scripture known as the siri guru granth sahib, is last in the lineage of the sikh gurus, and can never be replaced. If the faithful follows the bani of the preceptor, the preceptor himself helps him in the realisation of his ideal. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks or boxes, misplaced vowels or missing conjuncts instead of indic text. Jan 28, 2011 the sikh holy book guru granth sahib is the perpetual guru, there is no place in sikhism for a living guru today.
The religion of sikhs often explores god in a monotheistic manner. Naam, the name of god, shabad the word of god and sat sang, the company of the pious and the holy. Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of god. However, god shows people through holy books, and by the examples of saints, the best ways to get close to him. In sikhism god is one universal entity, the creator, selfilluminated, perpetual and genderless. Before reading the holy words of guru granth sahib scripture, sikhs invoke the presence of the living enlightener with the prakash ceremony and petition the guru with the prayer of ardas. The 11th sikh guru granth sahib is the everlasting guru. Reflecting its religious context, sikhism has elements of hinduism and islam in its beliefs, practices, and traditions. The book teaches that outward rituals and indulgence in the worldly pleasure only bring us pain. This is an area which spans part of india and pakistan in south asia today. The sikhs do not regard this as their holy book but as their perpetual and. One of the most important names for god in sikhism is waheguru. The holy book of the sikh religion is the guru granth sahib. Sikhism was founded in 15thcentury punjab by guru nanak.
Both religions are monotheistic but their rituals and practices are very different. Guru nanak dev believed in a supreme being and determined that all religions used different names. A key distinctive feature of sikhism is a nonanthropomorphic concept of god, to the extent that one. Sikhism and the belief of god and worship 1575 words 123. It contains the essential teachings and beliefs of sikhism and is considered to be very. Onkar is everything, it is the divine melody and primal vibration that resides in everything. The granth, called pothi sahib by guru arjan, was installed at harmandir sahib house of god with much celebration.
Despite its pacifist roots, sikhism has come to be known as militant, which is unfortunate because such militancy stems largely from geographical issues outside of sikh control. The sikh holy book, the adi granth, took his place as indicated by its alternate name, guru granth. The same god of the christians, muslims, hindus, etc is the akal purakh, the primal being of the sikhs. Hence, the practice is commonly known as shabad kirtan. Also, god is considered to be our father, mother, and companion. The mool mantra key beliefs in sikhism gcse religious studies. The word sikh in the punjabi language means disciple, sikhs are the disciples of god who follow the. Like christians believe the bible to be the living word, sikhs believe the guru granth to be the embodiment of the living word. He is referred to in the sikh scriptures by many hundreds of names. The original name of the guru granth sahib was adi granth and it was guru gobind singh who elevated it to the status of the eternal and immortal guru by naming the book, guru granth sahib. The holy book for the sikhs is called the sri guru granth sahib ji. Sikhism does not believe that any holy book takes precedence over all others or any religions prophet is the final messenger of god.
The principal belief of sikhism is faith in waheguru represented using the sacred symbol of ik sa. Who is god the creatorsustainerproviderdestroyer and. It was called adi granth until guru gobind singh, the tenth and final guru in human form, conferred on it the title of the guru in 1708, after which it was called sri guru granth sahib, or guru granth sahib for short. This is an area which spans part of india and pakistan in south asia. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents.
Granth means large tome or book, and sahib denotes its sacred status. The main holy book in sikhism is the guru granth sahib. It has the same significance as naam japa in the religious life of an individual. The guru granth sahib, also know as the adi granth. The compositions of his successors are also contained in the book, as are. Unlike the bible or the bhagavadgita, which are often carried around, dogeared and placed on a shelf with other books, there are strict rules and procedures for handling the adi granth. The principal sikh scripture is the adi granth first scripture, more commonly called the guru granth sahib. This holy book which comprises the sermons of the gurus called the gurubani, is written in the gurmukhi script, which incidentally is the official script for. What is the holy book of sikhism and why is it not so. Jesus was born and lived a human life, therefore, he cannot be god. Sikhs believe in a single, formless god, with many names, who can be known through meditation. Sikhism was founded by guru nanak around 500 years ago in a place called the punjab. But sikhism has a few important sites, of which, the hari mandir, also known as the golden temple in amritsar in punjab is the most important site and is considered the holiest shrine of sikhism.
The holy scripture of the sikhs called the sri guru granth sahib or sggs begins with the following passage called the mool mantar or the main mantra. The adi granth, while not worshiped, is ascribed divine status. Sikhs are often identified by their distinctive turbans, which they use to cover uncut hair in respect to god. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of god at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind, social justice and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. It was founded by a man called guru nanak and is based on what he taught people. This serves as the sanctification process by which sikhs align their mind to that of god. Sikhs worship at home and in the sikh temple called the gurdwara gateway to the.
Jan 20, 2017 guru grant sahib the most sacred object in sikhism is the guru granth sahib also called the adi granth, the sikh holy book. The first nine gurus were men, and the tenth and final guru is the sikh holy book, granth sahib. Guru ji, said the holy book will be the guru after him, no other human form guru will come. Although these gurus were not incarnations of god, sikhs believe they were without sin. A name starting with the first letter of the hymn of the hukam command should be proposed by the granthi man in attendance of the holy book and, after its acceptance by the congregation, the name should be announced by him. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc.
Sikhism is a faith whose followers are called sikhs. Service to the final guru the holy book and the sikh community. The followers are called sikhs, and their holy book is the guru granth sahib. One unusual feature of sikhism is that all sikh males share the name.
Sikhism advocates pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation upon the name and message of god. Nov 27, 2018 the name and or naam of god is onkar ik was placed before it as onkar is present in all creation and their is no duality, creation and creator are one. Bani of bhagats by g s chauhanthe lives and selected works of saints included in holy book sri guru granth sahib ji. Sikhism the history the history of sikhism begins with nanak, a son of the rulerwarrior caste, who lived from 14691538 and was born in northern india. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. This practice apparently started in the early years of the religion, and was a reflection of the sikhs absolute rejection of the hindu practice of caste. Waheguru is the main and true name used for god in sikhism the sikhs believe that allah the name of god used by muslim is a valid name to use. Supreme god in holy book guru granth sahib sikhism. The sikh holy book, the guru granth sahib, teaches that there is one god, that men and women are inherently good and are equal before. Christianity vs sikhism difference and comparison diffen.
Many sources call sikhism a monotheistic religion, however that understanding comes from viewing the faith through christian belief system. The sikhs believe that allah the name of god used by muslim is a valid name to use. The guru granth sahib is the sacred scripture of the sikhs, and its bedrock is the body of compositions of guru nanak. Some of its doctrines, such as certain aspects of its teaching on god, reflect islam more than hinduism, while other doctrines, such as karma. Its hymns and teachings are called gurbani or word of the guru and sometimes dhur ki bani or word of god.
The goal of every sikh is to build a close, loving relationship with god. Truth is the highest of all virtues, but higher still is truthful living. The sikhs do not regard this as their holy book but as their perpetual and current guru, guide or master. The mystic branches, bhakti hindu and sufi islamic, holy men influenced him. Supreme god in holy book guru granth sahib sikhism jagat. The guru granth sahib is used to guide the everyday thoughts and actions within a sikh family and the rituals involved. The followers of the religion interpret the meaning of god by exploring its philosophical basis in their holy book of guru granth. While naam and shabad are mystical terms standing for the divine manifestation, waheyguru is a phrase expressing awe, wonder, and ecstatic joy of the worshiper as he comprehends the greatness and grandeur of the lord and his creation.
Sikhs generally believe that they are required to follow the teachings of the ten gurus, the last one being guru gobind singh. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with god, and the word was god. Differences similarities christianity versus sikhism comparison chart. Sikhism, as a religion and name, is a relatively new phenomena in indias long history and the genetic origins of the sikhs is a disputed area. God has been called by many attributive names actionrelated names, kirtan naam sggs. Sikhism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The holy book contains writings of the sikh gurus, muslim fakirs and hindu saints. The main teachings of the guru granth sahib is the love of humanity. Apr 18, 2009 according to sikhism, god himself sent guru nanak to deliver his message to the world, without jamming his name in the name of god like christans, who also belive jesus to be a form of god. The basic philosophy of sikhism revolves mainly around three concepts. They follow their holy book, the guru granth sahib, written by the last living guru guru gobind singh at. There are 3,000 shabads all recorded directly by the sikh gurus in the guru granth sahib. The bani is the preceptor and the preceptor is the bani, all the nectars are present in the bani.
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion, or a religion that believes in one god. This book contains the teachings of all gurus, and hass been identically printed since the first copy, containing the same amount of pages, same words, and same paper size to preserve it. A key distinctive feature of sikhism is a nonanthropomorphic concept of god, to the extent that we can interpret god as the universe itself. The hymns included range from the omnipresence of nature and basic day to day lessons. Panj pyare, akal takht is meeting place authority of dalai lama. Nanak dev, better known as guru nanak approximate age. Sikhismintroduction wikibooks, open books for an open world. Sikhism is one of the worlds youngest religions being founded just over 500 years ago. The light has come to clear the darkness about the supreme god, the father of all souls, which we address as immortal and almighty god.
Sikhism believes that god is oneness that permeates the entirety of creation and beyond. The true guru is the naam, the name of god by remembering which. First book the sacred scripture of sikhism, a religion of india. There are over 25 million sikhs all over the world, although most still live in india. The sikh holy book, the guru granth sahib ks2 religious.
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