|
With a population
of over 50 million worldwide, and about 1.5 million in North America,
Sikhs can be found in almost all countries of the world. Sikhs
are “disciples” of their Gurus (teachers), starting
with Guru Nanak (1469-1539) and ending with Guru Gobind Singh.
Guru Nanak preached truthful living and tolerance. He denounced
discrimination against women and those of lower socioeconomic
status, as well as ritualism. His philosophy was centered
around belief in one God, who is formless, omnipresent, and
attainable through righteous living. Guru Nanak’s nine
successors crystallized his philosophy.
The tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708), gave the Sikhs
their current distinctive appearance. They have unshorn hair,
beards and turbans and carry a kirpan, or short dagger, intended
to make them easily recognizable as staunch defenders of the
weak and oppressed. At his death, Guru Gobind Singh passed
the guruship to Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scriptures,
to be the continuing source of guidance. Sri Guru Granth Sahib
not only contains the writings of the Sikh Gurus, but also
those of spiritual men of other faiths, a feature unique amongst
religious scriptures. The message taught is that all faiths
are to be treated with respect and can be paths to enlightenment.
Sikh temples, or Gurdwaras, are found in many American cities.
All are welcome, and in the spirit of community, a meal is
shared by all attending the congregation.
In the last three hundred years, Sikhs have risen to positions
of prominence in India, and are highly regarded as one of
India’s most hard working communities. Although concentrated
in northern India, they have settled across the globe, most
notably in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Australia, and North
America. The first Sikhs came to the United States and Canada
over a hundred years ago. They were involved in the construction
of railroads in the Pacific North-West, and the Panama Canal
in1904. Today, Sikhs continue to make significant contributions
to North American society as physicians, high-tech professionals,
academics, entrepreneurs, cab drivers and convenience store
workers. They are amongst the most educated and prosperous
groups of Americans.
|
BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF SIKH
LIVING
- Sikhism is the world’s fifth largest religion.
- Sikhism believes in one omnipresent, formless God
– Akal Purakh, the source of all creation. Union
with Akal Purakh is achievable through meditation.
- Sikhism enjoins people to be productive members
of society. Asceticism is not advocated.
- Sikhs believe in equality amongst all human beings
and pray daily for all humankind – “Sarbat
da bhala”.
- Sikhs regard men and women as equal in all spheres
including religion.
- Sikhs are expected to perform community service,
and share with those less fortunate.
- Sikhs are required to observe five articles of
faith – Kesh (uncut hair), Kirpan (a short dagger),
Kara (an iron bracelet), Kanga (comb), and Kachha
(breeches).
- The vast majority of men wearing turbans in the
United States are Sikhs.
http://www.sikhpoint.com
|
You can learn more
about the Sikhs in:
1. Patwant Singh, The Sikhs (Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2000).
2. Kushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs (Oxford University
Press, Oxford, UK, 1999).
3 Khushwant Singh and Raghu Rai, The Sikhs (Roli Books Pvt.
Ltd. and Lustre Press Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, India, 2001).
|
