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Sikhism
For
a detailed listing of Gurudwaras in the US, visit Gurudwara
in USA page and a similar listing of Gurudwaras
in Canada section.
Sikhism is a monotheistic faith. Sikhs believe that the one,
living God created the universe, sustains it and, in the end,
will destroy it. In the Punjabi language of India, the word
Sikh means “disciple” or “learner of truth.” A Sikh is a disciple
of God, but more particularly, one who follows the teachings
of the 10 Sikh gurus, (teachers), as written in the Sri Guru
Granth Sahib (Holy Scriptures).
The
Sikh religion was founded in the Punjab region of India in
the 15th century by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It was developed by
the 9 gurus who followed him, until the last of the 10, Guru
Gobind Singh, compiled all the Scriptures written by his predecessors
into one definitive work and named it his successor, calling
it Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the one, holy, teaching book of
Scripture. Although some historians say that Sikhism is derived
in part from earlier Hindu and Muslim beliefs, this is generally
denied by Sikhs, who regard their faith as original and based
in revelation from God to the 10 gurus.
Sikhism
rejects idol worship; the caste system, which still survives
in India; and religious rituals. It regards men and women
as equals and advocates tolerance of all religions.
The
basic beliefs of the Sikhs, as set out by the first guru,
Nanak Dev, are the following:
- There
is only one God.
- His
name is Truth.
- He
is the Creator.
- He
is without fear.
- He
is without hate.
- He
is immortal.
- He
is beyond birth and death.
- He
is self-existent.
Religious
Elements
Scriptural
and Doctrinal Sources
- Sri
Guru Granth Sahib, also known as Adi Granth, is the supreme
sacred writing and spiritual authority of the Sikh religion.
A collection of hymns, it was originally compiled from the
works of his predecessors by the fifth guru, Arjan Dev,
and completed in 1604.
- Additional
hymns and prayers composed by gurus, bhagatas (saints) and
others were included by the successors of Arjan Dev, the
6th–10th gurus. Some inclusions are the works of bhagatas
or holy men of other religions, including Hindus, Muslims
and Buddhists.
- The
last guru, Gobind Singh, compiled the final official version
by 1706 and named the collection as his successor and living
guru. The Adi Granth is the only guru of the Sikhs.
- The
original work was destroyed in battle in 1762, though copies
had been made. The copies are now are considered the official
version.
Sacraments
and Rituals
For
the most part, Sikhs reject religious practices centred in
the concepts of sacrament and ritual, pilgrimage and fasting.
Worship is confined to prayer, reading of Scriptures, singing
of hymns and meditation. Although worship services usually
conclude with the serving of a traditional food, karah prasad
(a special form of sweet bread pudding), the practice is not
seen as a sacrament in the Christian sense. It is a cultural
tradition. However, various ceremonies hold special religious
significance in the life of the Sikh:
- The
naming ceremony: Babies are named in a religious service
at the temple. The family donates karah prasad and a rumala
(cloth covering for the Scriptures). Prayers are offered,
and hymns are sung. The Scriptures are opened to a randomly
chosen page, and the first letter of the first word is identified
as the first letter of the baby’s name. The family then
chooses a name that is common to the sex of the child. The
name Singh (lion) is added for boys; the name Kaur (lioness),
for girls.
- Pahul
(baptism): Baptism is usually administered at puberty. The
initiates, men and women or boys and girls, take amrit (sugar
water) stirred with a dagger as a sign of baptism and are
normally admitted to the khalsa (see below) at the same
time.
- Khalsa:
Khalsa is the initiation of Sikhs as members of a “chosen”
race of soldier–saints committed to a spartan Code of Ethical
Conduct. The khalsa was begun by the Gobind Singh, the 10th
guru, as a society of warrior Sikhs charged with fighting
the oppression of the Mogul emperors of Punjab. Sikhs who
have undergone pahul (baptism) to become khalsa abstain
from liquor, tobacco and narcotics. They devote their lives
to prayer and a crusade for dharmayudha (battle for righteousness).
In the modern ceremony, the initiate is instructed in the
following: “(a) You shall never remove any hair from any
part of thy body, (b) You shall not use tobacco, alcohol
or any other intoxicants, (c) You shall not eat the meat
of an animal slaughtered the Muslim way, (d) You shall not
commit adultery. The initiate is required to wear the physical
symbols of a Khalsa at all times as well as follow the Khalsa
Code of [Ethical] Conduct.” (Source:
http://www.sikhs.org/khalsa.htm — the Sikhism home page.)
- Marriage:
For Sikhs, marriage is a sacred and holy union. There is
no divorce in the Sikh religion, though civil divorce is
permitted. Any respected Sikh may perform the ceremony,
subject to provincial licensing laws. Weddings may be conducted
in the temple or in a family home. Marriages are typically
arranged by families.
- Death
ceremony: For Sikhs, death is a part of a cycle leading
to possible reincarnation and, ultimately, to Nirvana (heaven),
or union with God. See section on Death and Cremation for
details.
Moral
Code
- The
writings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib are the source of
moral and ethical teachings of the Sikhs.
- In
1931, Sikh theologians and scholars developed an agreed
code of conduct, the Reht Maryada. The Akal Takhat, supreme
theological teaching authority for Sikhs, approved it. It
provides, in part, the following as the Khalsa Code of Ethical
Conduct:
- The
Sikh will worship only God. They will not set up any
idols, gods, goddesses or statues for worship nor shall
they worship any human being.
- The
Sikh will believe in no other religious book other than
the Sri Guru Granth Sahib...
- The
Sikh will not believe in castes, untouchability, magic,
omens, amulets, astrology, appeasement rituals, ceremonial
hair cutting, fasts, frontal masks, sacred thread, graves
and traditional death rites.
- The
Khalsa will remain distinct by wearing the Five K’s
[see Dress Requirements section below] but shall not
injure the feelings of others professing different religions.
- The
Khalsa will pray to God before starting any work. This
will be over and above his usual prayers.
- Although
a Sikh may learn as many languages as he likes, he must
learn Punjabi and teach his children to learn to read
it.
- Every
male should add “Singh” after his name and every female
Khalsa should add “Kaur” after her name. They must never
remove hair from any part of their bodies.
- Drugs,
Smoking and Alcohol are strictly forbidden for Sikhs.
- Khalsa
men and women will not make holes in their ears or nose
and shall have no connection whatsoever with those who
kill their daughters. Sikh women will not wear a veil.
- A
Sikh must live on honest labour and give generously
to the poor and the needy, thinking all the time that
whatever he gives is given to the Guru.
- A
Sikh must never steal or gamble.
- Except
for the Kacch and the turban there are no restrictions
on the dress of a Khalsa, but a Khalsa’s dress should
be simple and modest.
- When
a Khalsa meets another Khalsa he will greet him by saying,
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh (The Khalsa
belong to God, Victory belongs to God).
(Source:
http://www.sikhs.org/khalsa.htm — the Sikhism home
page.)
Houses
of Worship
- The
Sikh temple is the gurdwara (“gateway to the guru”). Every
sizable community of Sikhs will have a gurdwara. Private
homes may also have a room or place set aside as a gurdwara.
- In
North America, temples built by larger Sikh communities
are likely to be patterned on traditional Indian Sikh architecture,
though Sikhs have converted churches of Christian denominations
to use as temples. Gurdwara built on traditional lines will
have entrances facing all directions and will have the main
level set below the surrounding ground level, ensuring that
worshippers descend steps to enter, to commemorate the Golden
Temple of Amritsar.
- The
temple is both a place of worship and a community centre.
It is used for worship, celebrations of birth, weddings
and funerals. The temple usually includes a langar (free
kitchen). Larger temples may include schools, dining halls,
libraries, reading rooms and guest rooms.
- The
Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Scripture) is kept in a central
place on a raised platform under a canopy. Worshippers sit
on carpets (chairs are not permitted) — men on one side,
women on the other — to listen to readings and hymns. (Note:
In some Canadian Sikh congregations, majority groups have
permitted tables and chairs to be placed in the gurdwara.
This practice is considered by other, more traditional Sikhs
a sacrilegious practice or a sign of weakening of the faith.
It has resulted in serious legal disputes and in violence.)
- There
are more than 200 historical gurdwara administered and protected
by a special commission established by parliamentary act
in India as the governing body of Sikhism. The greatest
is the Golden Temple of Amritsar, India.
- Both
men and women must have their heads covered to enter the
temple. They remove their shoes at the entrance. Hands and
feet may be washed before entering if facilities are provided.
- Sikh
temples are open to all.
Devotional
Practices and Services
- Sikh
temples are open throughout the day for worship and other
activities.
- Normally,
in Canada, group gatherings for worship services are on
weekends. In India, temples hold two services daily.
- Worshippers
sit on carpeted floors to listen to readers and music and
to participate in singing.
- Although
there are no priests, temples may employ caretakers as Scripture
readers.
- On
festival days, there is a continuous reading of Scripture,
which may take 48 hours.
- Readings,
discussion and kirtan (hymn singing, or “singing
the praises of God”) are followed by a prayer of supplication
(Ardas) and a final hymn reading (Hukam).
Distribution of karah prasad, consecrated cooked
food made of flour, clarified butter and sugar, follows
the last reading. The free kitchen is open on days of services
and throughout festival periods.
Clergy,
Organization and Government
- There
is no professional priesthood in Sikhism.
- The
Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Scripture) is the only priest
or guru of the Sikhs.
- Every
Sikh is entitled to read Scriptures and sing the kirtan.
Women take part on an equal basis with men.
- Every
temple has a Sangat, or governing council of holy
men, which directs the affairs of the temple. The council
members are elected by the congregation. Women do not normally
take part.
- There
are five seats of authority (takhats) in Sikhism,
each exercising doctrinal authority in its own jurisdiction
and recommending punishments for religious offences. Elected
leaders of the takhats are called jathedars. The takhats
are considered shrines — the scenes of historic events and
repository of relics of the gurus:
- Akal
Takhat (throne of the timeless God): at Amritsar, Punjab,
India; the oldest and most important, founded in 1609.
- Takhat
Sri Patna Sahib: home of two of the gurus, the first
in 1665.
- Takhat
Sri Kesgarh Sahib: in Anadpur, India; founded in 1665,
it was the scene of the founding of the khalsa
in 1699.
- Takhat
Sri Huzur Sahib: at Nander, in Mahrashtra State, India.
- Takhat
Damdama Sahib: the 10th guru compiled the official version
of the Adi Granth (sacred Scriptures) here in 1706.
Propagation
of the Faith
- All
Sikhs have a duty to teach the world about Sikhism.
Major
Celebrations and Observances
Sikh
religious holidays are observed according to the Nanakshahi
calendar, named after the first Guru, Nanak Dev Ji. The years
of the calendar start with the year of his birth, 1469 CE.
Start days for each of the 12 Sikh months correspond to the
Gregorian calendar dates indicated in the chart below. The
Sikh New Year starts on Chet 1, or 14 March.
|
Sikh
Month
|
Gregorian
Calendar
Date for Beginning of Month
|
|
Chet
|
14
March
|
|
Vaisakh
|
14
April
|
|
Jeth
|
15
May
|
|
Harh
|
15
June
|
|
Sawan
|
16
July
|
|
Bhadon
|
16
August
|
|
Asu
|
15
September
|
|
Katik
|
15
October
|
|
Maghar
|
14
November
|
|
Diwali
|
November
|
|
Poh
|
14
December
|
|
Magh
|
13
January
|
|
Phagan
|
12
February
|
Days
of Observance
Gurupurabs
— Anniversaries of the 10 Gurus and Establishment of the Sri
Guru Granth Sahib
|
Guru
|
Parkash
(Birthday)
|
Gur
Ghaddhi (Guruship)
|
Jyoti
Jot (Death)
|
|
Guru
Nanak Dev Ji
|
Katik
Pooranmashi
|
From
Parkash
|
Asu
8 (22 September)
|
|
Guru
Angad Dev
|
Vaisakh
5 (18 April)
|
Asu
4 (18 September)
|
Vaisakh
3 (16 April)
|
|
Guru
Amar Das
|
Jeth
9 (23 May)
|
Vaisakh
3 (16 April)
|
Asu
2 (16 September)
|
|
Guru
Ram Das
|
Asu
25 (9 October)
|
Asu
2 (16 September)
|
Asu
2 (16 September)
|
|
Guru
Arjan Dev
|
Vaisakh
19 (2 May)
|
Asu
2 (16 September)
|
Harh
2 (16 June)
|
|
Guru
Hargobind
|
Harh
21 (5 July)
|
Jeth
28 (11 June)
|
Chet
6 (19 March)
|
|
Guru
Har Rai
|
Magh
19 (31 January)
|
Chet
1 (14 March)
|
Katik
6 (20 October)
|
|
Guru
Harkrishan
|
Sawan
8 (23 July)
|
Katik
6 (20 October)
|
Vaisakh
3 (16 April)
|
|
Guru
Tegh Bahadur
|
Vaisakh
5 (18 April)
|
Vaisakh
3 (16 April)
|
Maghar
11 (24 November)
|
|
Guru
Gobind Singh
|
Poh
23 (5 January)
|
Maghar
11 (24 November)
|
Katik
7 (21 October)
|
|
Guru
Granth Sahib
|
Bhadon
17 (1 September) Installation in Golden Temple by Guru
Arjan Dev
|
Katik
6 (20 October)
|
|
Special
Observances
|
Event
|
Date
|
|
Creation
of the Khalsa Vaisakhi
|
Vaisakh
1 (14 April)
|
|
Martyrdom
of Guru Gobind Singh’s elder sons
|
Poh
8 (21 December)
|
|
Martyrdom
of Guru Gobind Singh’s younger sons
|
Poh
13 (26 December)
|
(Source
for calendars:
http://www.sikhs.org)
Dress
Requirements
- Although
the wearing of the five emblems of the khalsa (the five
Ks) is not mentioned in Scriptures, these are traditional
modes of religious obligatory dress whose history dates
from the earliest days of Sikhism. They are worn by males
who have been baptized and consider themselves khalsa:
- Kesa
or kesh (hair): For khalsa, the hair must remain uncut,
as a symbol that the khalsa lives in harmony with God
by refusing to remove a part of the body given to him
by God. It is the must important K. A khalsa who cuts
his hair is considered a renegade.
- Kangha
(comb): This wooden comb, worn in the hair, is essential
to cleanliness and grooming.
- Kacch:
This undergarment is worn by soldiers.
- Kirpan:
Traditionally, this was a sabre, but in modern dress,
it is a dagger or small knife. It symbolizes courage,
self-reliance and a readiness to defend the weak and
oppressed.
- Kara:
This steel bracelet, worn on the right arm, symbolizes
restraint from evil deeds.
- Turbans
for men and scarves for women have religious significance
in covering the kesa (hair). The headdress is also a symbol
of the Sikh’s honour, pride and equality with all others.
Dietary
Requirements
- Sikhs
will not eat any meat killed or prepared in a ritual way,
including Jewish kosher style and Muslim halal style.
- Sikhs
do not observe fasting for religious reasons.
- Sikhs
may practise vegetarianism. Not all agree that it is a religious
obligation.
Medical
and Health Requirements
- All
life is sacred. Human life is of the highest form of life.
- Blood
transfusions are allowed.
- Assisted
suicide and euthanasia are not encouraged.
- Maintaining
a terminally ill patient on artificial life support for
a prolonged period in a vegetative state is not encouraged.
- Organ
transplants (donating and receiving) are allowed.
- Artificial
reproductive technology is permitted only between husband
and wife during the span of an intact marriage.
- Genetic
engineering to cure a disease is acceptable.
- Abortion
is not advised except for medical reasons.
- Male
infants are not circumcised.
- Modesty
of patients must be respected.
- Prayers
should not be interrupted for routine care.
- Unnecessary
touching of the patient must be avoided to protect the patient’s
personal space.
- Patients
may wish to wear the five Ks at all times.
- After
removing their headdress, Sikh patients may want to keep
their head covered with an alternative covering such as
a small turban or scarf or a surgical cap. The headdress
should be respected, and if removed, it should be given
to the family or placed with the patient’s personal belongings.
The headdress should not be placed with the shoes.
- Infants
may be required to wear religious symbols, such as the kara
(steel bracelet).
- Sikh
women may insist on covering their bodies with more than
a hospital gown. They may request to wear a gown during
examinations. Although Sikhism does not ban treatment by
a practitioner of the opposite sex, providing the patient
with a practitioner of the same sex is preferable.
- Daily
bathing and personal hygiene are a part of Sikh life and
should be provided for unless there is a medical reason
for avoiding this.
- It
is a Sikh cultural and religious practice to visit the sick.
- Generally,
Sikhs do not use or consume tobacco, alcohol, intoxicants
or illicit drugs.
(Source
for medical information:
http://www.sikhwomen.com — SikhWomen online.)
Death
and Cremation
- Sikhs
believe that the soul is eternal and subject to a continual
cycle of birth, death and reincarnation until liberated
from the mortal cycle and reunited with God.
- The
family and friends of a dying person attend the deathbed
when possible to pray and to console the dying person and
each other.
- Mourning
for the deceased is discouraged.
- Autopsies
are avoided except where legally required.
- The
remains of the deceased may be taken to the family home
or to a funeral home for a wake before cremation.
- The
body is washed and dressed with clean clothing and, for
baptized Sikhs, the five Ks.
- After
the wake, the remains are taken to a crematorium for cremation,
with family and friends in attendance. In India, cremation
would be done on a funeral pyre.
- Prayers
for the salvation of the deceased precede the funeral. Where
possible, the eldest son or other family member should start
the actual cremation.
- Ashes
are disposed of by immersion in the sea or other body of
water. Some families may take the ashes to the Sikh homeland
in Punjab, India.
- Where
cremation is not possible, the body should be buried at
sea or in another body of water.
- After
cremation, the family and friends gather for the Bhog ceremony,
usually in the temple, for prayer, hymn singing and ceremonial
serving of karah prasad. The ceremony also includes a complete
reading of the Scriptures by the family, either in the temple
or at home. The reading may take up to 10 days.
Note:
Some details in this site have been adapted from the research
published by Canadian
Government
Member
Gurdwaras of WSC-AR: Gurdwara Sahib Fremont, Fremont, CA Guru
Nanak Sikh Mission, Livingston, CA Sikh Gurdwara of LA, North
Hollywood, CA Sikh Gurdwara Riverside, Riverside, CA Colorado
Singh Sabha, Denver, CO Guru Singh Sabha of Augusta, Augusta,
GA 7. Sikh Study Circle of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 8. Sikh Religious
Society of Chicago, Palatine, IL 9. Sikh Society of South,
New Orleans, LA 10. Sikh Gurdwara of Michigan, Rochester Hills,
MI 11. Sikh Society of Michigan, Madison Heights, MI 12. Guru
Nanak Foundation of Jackson, MS 13. Sikh Gurdwara of North
Carolina, Durham, NC 14. Garden State Sikh Association, Bridgewater,
NJ 15. Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Delaware Valley, Sewell,
NJ 16. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Glenrock, NJ 17. Sikh Sabha
of New Jersey, Lawrenceville, NJ 18. Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh,
Las Vegas, NV 19. Sikh Cultural Society Inc., Richmond Hills,
NY 20. Sikh Cultural & Edu. Society of Western NY, Buffalo,
NY 21. Sikh Religious Society of Dayton, Dayton, OH 22. Guru
Nanak Found. of Greater Cleveland, Richfield, OH 23. Guru
Gobind Singh Sikh Society, Bedford, OH 24. Guru Nanak Religious
Soc. of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH 25. Sikh Sadh Sangat, Easton,
PA 26. Philadelphia Sikh Society, Millbourne, PA 27. Tristate
Sikh Cultural Society, Monroeville, PA 28. Mid South Sikh
Sabha, Memphis, TN 29. Sikh Center of Gulf Coast, Houston,
TX 30. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Richardson, TX 31. Sikh Gurdwara
of North Texas, Garland, TX 32. Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Fairfax,
VA 33. Sikh Association of Central Virginia, VA 34. Sikh Religious
Society of Wisconsin, Brookfield, WI Other Sikh Institution
Members of WSC-AR: 1. Siri Guru Granth Sahib Found., Anaheim,
CA 2. Sikhs Serving America, Topeka, KS 3. Sikh Youth Federation
of North America, White Plains, NY 4. Sikh Heritage Institute,
Long Island, NY 5. Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation,
Dublin, OH 6. Sikh Youth Federation of USA, Toledo, OH 7.
Academy of Guru Granth Studies, Arlington, TX
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