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Sikhism Quick Facts • One of the youngest of the world’s major religions (founded less than five centuries ago – around 1500 A.D.) • Shares characteristics of both Hinduism and Islam • Religion’s founder is Guru Nanak (1469-1539) • Guru Nanak was born in a small village near Lahore. • Therefore Punjab (in India and Pakistan) is where Sikhism began Guru Nanak • Raised in a Hindu family but studied both Hinduism and Islam • The pandit (holy man) present at his birth saw greatness in his horoscope • Guru Nanak was dissatisfied with formal Hinduism, especially the caste system • Nanak continued to demonstrate a radical spiritual streak arguing with local holy men and sages, both Hindu and Muslim, that external things like pilgrimages, penances, and poverty were of far less spiritual importance than internal changes to the individual's soul. Guru Nanak cont’d • A key moment in the development of Sikhism came when Nanak had a lifechanging vision at the age of 30. • When he returned he claimed, “There is neither Hindu nor Muslim, so whose path shall I follow? I shall follow God’s path. God is neither Hindu nor Muslim, and the path which I follow is God’s path.” • He first travelled throughout India preaching that Hindus and Muslims had to move toward a more united and socially responsible faith • His ministry took him to Iraq, Tibet, Sri Lanka and Mecca in Saudi Arabia • Many people converted to this new religion Beliefs in Sikhism • In Sikhism, there is the belief in only one God. They believe God is everywhere. • Equality for all is a fundamental belief (this is in direct conflict of the original Hindu caste system) • Guru Nanak wanted to establish a just and compassionate society here on Earth where people all work together, pray together and eat together • The world is good and human life is the opportunity to gain full spiritual achievement and become one with God • Sikhs believe all work must be legal and ethical • Sikhs also believe in charity and serving others • Sikhs believe in the hereafter and reincarnation Guru Gobind Singh – Last Guru • Before his death, Guru Nanak passed on the leadership of the new Sikh religion to the first of nine successive Gurus. • The last of these living Gurus, Gobind Singh, died in 1708. He decided that the Sikhs no longer needed a living leader, and appointed as his successor Sri Guru Granth Sahib, a compilation of writings by Sikh Gurus and others. th 10 and Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa • Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru, started the Khalsa because Sikhs were being persecuted for refusing to convert to Islam. • The ‘five cherished ones’ were given the name Singh meaning ‘lion’. • They were told to wear five special signs indicating to the world that they were Sikhs (known as the five ks) • Not all Sikhs choose to join the Khalsa, and therefore, are not required to wear the Five Ks. Five Ks • Kesh – ‘uncut’ hair • Kangha – the comb • Kara – plain steel bracelet • Kirpan – short sword • Kaccha – short pants Symbol: Khanda Three Parts The two swords symbolize service to God through teaching the truth and through fighting for what is right The circle is known as chakkar, an ancient Indian weapon that stands for one God and the unity of people and serves as a reminder of a God who has no beginning and no end. In the centre is the two-edged sword, which is the symbol of the power of God. It is believed that the sharpness splits truth from falsehood. Amritsar – Golden Temple Gurdwara • A building where Sikhs gather to worship is called Gurdwara - Means ‘the door of the Guru’ or ‘God’s home’ • The Community appoints someone to look after it as there is no formal priest, only a Bhai Ji, or brother, who can recite the scriptures and sing hymns. • Sikhs do not have a special day for worship. However it is usually held on Sunday by Sikhs around the world • The only furniture in the worship room is a special platform at one end, which is called the Takht, meaning the throne. This is where the holy text is placed. Gurdward Cont’d • In front of the Takht is a place where worshippers can leave their offerings of food, or money. • As a sign of respect, before entering the worship room, people must remove their shoes, wash themselves, and cover their heads • A kitchen and dining room are also part of the gurdwara, and if space permits, a classroom is also included. • During service, people sit on the carpet. Men and women sit separately according to tradition. Gurdwara Cont’d • The service is followed by a vegetarian meal known as langar meaning ‘free kitchen’ • Guru Nanak believed that all who had traveled a long way to hear him, should be given food and drink • In time, the practice of langar expanded to include all who came to the service. • When eating the meal, everyone is seated together in rows on the floor. This format is designed to emphasize the everyone in the room is the same or equal Festivals • One of the most important holidays for a Sikh is Baisakhi – its purpose is to remind Sikhs of the saint-soldiers who were prepared to fight against injustice 1919, at Amritsar • British rulers of India forbade Sikhs from gathering together to celebrate this holiday. They believed the Sikhs would rise up against them. • When Sikhs gathered anyway, a bloody massacre resulted in 400 murdered Sikhs • Sikhs commemorate the Amritsar Massacre while celebrating Baisakhi Amritsanshakar / Amrit Sanchar • The ceremony of initiation when a person is willing to make the commitment (in public) to the Sikh faith and to become a member of the Khalsa • The most important ceremony in a Sikh’s life • Questions such as these are posed: – Are you willing to read, learn and live according to the Sikh teachings? – Will you pray only to one God? – Will you serve the whole of humanity? • After prayers and hymns each person drinks amrit and has it poured into their eyes and on their head. Death • Sikhs believe in reincarnation • But only if reincarnated as a human can we really know God • They believe that death is just another form of sleep and therefore the end of one life but the beginning of another. • They cremate their dead and there is no stone or permanent form of commemoration since they do not believe earth is a permanent place Canadian History – Air India (1985) • Worst act of terrorism in Canadian history • 331 people were killed in 2 explosions Timeline of Events June 5, 1985 – Indian government orders raid on Golden Temple - Sikhs outraged Oct. 30, 1984: Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated by her Sikh body guards in retaliation. Thousands of Sikhs die in riots in Indian cities. Air India Flight 182 329 people die 278 are Canadian Flight Route After Event Nov. 8, 1985: Talwinder Singh Parmar and Inderjit Singh Reyat are arrested by RCMP in connection with bombings. Charges are dropped against Parmar. Reyat is fined for a minor, unrelated charge. May 10, 1991: Reyat, an electrician from the Vancouver Island community of Duncan, is sentenced to 10 years in prison on manslaughter and explosives charges related to the Narita bombing. 1992: Bombing suspect Parmar, a preacher from Burnaby, B.C., is killed in a shootout with Indian police officers. Critics say he was arrested and executed. May 1995: RCMP offer a one million dollar reward for help catching the bombers. Events cont’d Oct. 27, 2000: Ajaib Singh Bagri and Ripudaman Singh Malik are arrested and charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and conspiracy. June 4, 2001: British government grants permission for Reyat to be charged in Air India blast. June 6, 2001: Reyat is charged in Air India Flight 182 bombing just days before his 10-year sentence for his role in the Narita bombing is up. He remains in custody. November 2003: Star witness against Malik testifies the accused confessed his involvement in the bombing on at least two occasions. She testifies he confided in her because the two were in love. December 2003: Crown shows a videotaped speech by Bagri (member of Babbar Khalsa) who called for young Sikhs to rise up and take revenge against the Indian government. “Until we kill 50,000 Hindus, we will not rest,” he shouted at a July 1984 New York rally. • https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=alqb9tmgfyc