Both my mother and father were born into Sikh families and were taught the Sikh Beliefs but were not practising Sikhs / baptised Sikhs... When I was around 8 years old they began to practise what Sikhism taught at which point they gave up alcohol/ meat/ eggs/ cutting hair etc. And when I was 10 years old they decided to get baptised. At this point I decided to also stop eating meat and try to practice Sikhism but did not get baptised. Everything was slow till around 18-19 where I actively started trying to find out more about Sikhism and the more I found out, the more I loved it and eventually aged 23, I got baptised. I'm 25 now, still learning every day and loving it all! Sikhs are legally defined as being a Race. However the 10th Sikh Guru states "Recognise the Human Race as One". And Sikhi is known from within as a Quam which translates to Nation. And Sikhi from within is actually called a Dharam (translates to Righteousness) and is seen as a way of life but has been classified as a religion. As to why is is considered Martial: From the start of Sikhism, there was much oppression. The first Sikh Guru was imprisoned by the Moghul Rulers for His different beliefs. Later the 5th Sikh Guru was given an option to either convert to Islam to be tortured. He was tortured over 5 days before his Martyrdom in which endured many sufferings including made to sit in a cauldron of boiling water, have burning sand poured over him, sit on a burning hot plate etc... Up until this point, Sikh history had been peaceful however if was decided by the 6th Guru that one should be a Saint but also be able to stand up against oppression and fight for righteousness and hence they should be Saint-Soldiers. Quite a few battles followed as the Moghul Rulers wanted everyone to convert to Islam. Later, the 9th Sikh Guru was tortured and beheaded protecting the Hindu Faith, who's followers were being forcefully converted to Islam. The 10th Guru formalised the baptism ceremony in which Sikhs would adhere to become Saint-Soldiers. For much of the 16th and 17th century, Sikhs were literally hunted and there were prices on the heads of Sikhs by the Moghul Rulers until the Sikhs finally managed to fight and defeat the rulers and Maharaja Ranjit Singh took Rule of Punjab in which everyone was able to practise whatever religion they wished. Hence, the history of Sikhs has always been one of martyrdom and oppression and the Saint-Soldier aspect is a core part of it. Sikhs had to be very good fighters as it was essential for survival and hence they gained the reputation as a martial race. Lol... Well presumably, you would find some you like and likes you in return and the rest is fairly simple. However, Baptised Sikhs are however only supposed to marry other Sikhs so that they can both walk on this path to God together. (Nothing against other faiths). The Air India Bombings case has been a very dodgy case from Day 1. From the Indian Police 'accidentally ' destroying vital evidence, the murder of one suspect who allegedly confessed, and suspected involvement from Indian Intelligence. However, regardless of all of that... Killing innocent people is wrong and anyone who does so does not have the support of Sikhs. Baptised Sikhs are required to shower every day and comb their hair twice a day. A good wash is all it takes! Sikh is a follower of Sikhi... Punjabi is someone who lives/lived in Punjab. A Baptised Sikh will always have the 5ks. The most visible being the long uncut hair (normally tied up and covered over with a turban), the kara - an iron/steel bangle and the kirpan (see pic - although this may be worn underneath clothing) Sikhs who follow what is set out with Sikhism will not cut their hair and will also undertake in receiving Amrit in the baptism ceremony. As to who is God, the first verse in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji would be a helpful start: There is only One Universal Creator God. His Name is Truth. He is The Creator Without Fear. Without Hatred. Beyond Time, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent. By Guru's Grace ~ Chant And Meditate: He was True In The Primal Beginning. He was True Throughout The Ages. He is True Here And Now. O Nanak, He will Forever And Ever be True. ||1|| Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 1 Although the above translations say He - God is Sikhism is not given a gender. Sikhi is a religion in itself. It totally rejects many of the principles of Hinduism such as the caste system/ idol worship / worship of many gods. I do not keep fasts, nor do I observe the month of Ramadaan. I serve only the One, who will protect me in the end. ||1|| The One Lord, the Lord of the World, is my God Allah. He adminsters justice to both Hindus and Muslims. ||1||Pause|| I do not make pilgrimages to Mecca, nor do I worship at Hindu sacred shrines. I serve the One Lord, and not any other. ||2|| I do not perform Hindu worship services, nor do I offer the Muslim prayers. I have taken the One Formless Lord into my heart; I humbly worship Him there. ||3|| I am not a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim. My body and breath of life belong to Allah - to Raam - the God of both. ||4|| Says Kabeer, this is what I say: meeting with the Guru, my Spiritual Teacher, I realize God, my Lord and Master. ||5||3|| Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 1136 Hope that helps.
It is my personal opinion that all things that live are a portion of the mind and spirit of God. However God is more than the sum of His components. God is what links us all, that which makes us all responsible for each other and reliant on each other. It is best displayed in the wheel of life, that no living thing can survive except through the consumption of another living thing. Even plants take from the vital components of life after decomposition to grow stronger... But now I am getting long-winded and off-topic. Sorry folks.
A mixture of both... A Sikh is supposed to keep their head/hair covered and the turban is seen as a crown. So, the turban is both practical as well as religious.
I second that, the langar prasad is too delicious, especially the puris and the subji. I have an employee who is a sikh, and on special ocassions, I ask him to bring prasad from the gurudwara langar, that he visits every sunday. And yes, Sikhs are one of the bravest people I have seen. Many sikhs have laid down their lives protecting our country. They are very brave and effective soldiers. Quite jovial by nature, introduced tandoori food to entire India. Are wonderful farmers, and very patriotic.
so you guys live as nature intended without cutting hair? one question... Do you guys shower at a monthly basis? If so, how many showers do you guys take in winter?
A baptised Sikh must bath/shower/wash everyday. Every baptised Sikh will start each and every day by waking early in the morning and first cleansing their body by having a shower/bath after which they will take time to try and cleanse the mind through meditation/prayer.
Why do Sikh's only wear red turban's? and is Sikhism older or just an alternative form of Hinduism?, eg like Catholic - Protestant faith, both being alternative forms of Christianity. ROOFIS
Webdesigner, when i hear stories like this it makes me sad to know that a human being would oppress another human being just to make them believe in the same religion that the oppressor believes in. As far as being sikhs being vegetarian, I have always thought that this is the healthiest way of eating (especially with the hormones they give to our livestock here in America). I guess there is always something enlightening that we can learn from all religions. (im catholic by the way )
Dude; that's news to me. I thought Sikhs could eat meat? I've seen a lot of Sikhs eating meat, so I thought it was okay to do so. Thanks for the information.
The colour of turban is up to the individual so you will see a variety of different colour turbans. However, the normal colours you will see Sikhs wearing is Dark Blue, Orange/Saffron, Black or White. And no, Sikhi is not an older or alternative form if Hinduism. Sikhi is in fact a relatively young religion founded in 1469. It is not a part of Hinduism, here is an extract from our Eternal Guru - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Sikhism is a unique way of life, it rejects idol worship, fasting, worshipping of gods, the caste system and instead focusses on equality, truth and how one can merge with God directly. Yes, it a sad fact when people feel the need to convert by force or coercion. Sikhi states: Yes, baptised Sikhs are prohibited from eating Meat, Eggs, Fish, and any form of drugs or intoxicants such as wine, beer, tobacco etc.
No. Sikhism is not part of Hinduism nor is it related, See quote given previously in this topic but also see below...
So hold on.. you say Sikhs worship ONE God. But why do I always see Sikhs singing next to graves of I think Saints/Gurus? Doesn't that go totally AGAINST the concept of worshipping 1 GOD? Also, who is Guru Nanak and is it true he performed pilgrimage to Makkah? Where did Sikhism originate, Punjab? Are there Sikhs today that use Allah for God? If not what do you use? Bhagwan? Khudah?
You will never see Sikhs singing next to graves of Saints/Gurus because firstly Sikhs get cremated hence their is no grave!! If God blesses the world with a great soul/person, then we should praise God, if God takes that soul/person back then we should still praise God. It is pointless to worship the creation when we can praise/worship the Creator who makes the creation. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the founder of Sikhism and the First Sikh Guru. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji did go to Mecca as well as various centers of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Jainis, Sufis, Yogis and Sidhas to press home the message of Almighty Lord. In fact, He covered most of India, present day Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, South West China, Afganistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. He went however to spread the message of Truth and not as pilgrimages as Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji tells us that the True Pilgrimage is within yourself. The search for God is found within us, not at sacred shrines or places of pilgrimages. And last but not least... Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in Talwandi which is in present day Pakistan. This was however in Punjab before the Indian/Pakistan partition of 1947. Sikhs refer to God as Waheguru. God however has many Names. Hindus call Him Ram, Christians call Him God and Muslims call Him Allah. It does not matter by which name you address Him. In fact, He is referred to in the Sikh Scriptures by many hundreds of names. So, Raam, Allah, God, Khudah, Akal Purakh, Waheguru, Satnam etc are all as valid as each other. Hope that answered your questions.
Pardon my ignorance, maybe I am thinking wrong, maybe not a grave. But they sing over this long thing that looks like a grave , always on tv, and they have this thing in their hand to wave.. dont know.. What is reason behind cremation? If the CREAtion is so important then why burn it? We are human we should be let go of naturally in a grave. Just to correct you, Sufis are part of Islam, they are Muslims.
I can't answer this question from a Sikh's point of view, but I can answer it nevertheless. Cremating is a far better option because it saves a lot of space. Burying dead bodies is a costly habit in a space constrained place like India.
I think I know what you are on about now and your understanding of it is miles away. Did you mean this: If so, I will explain the above photo, bear with us as I explain and let me know if I am not being clear enough: Firstly, you need to know that Central to a Sikhs Life is their Guru. Guru splits into 2 words Gu and Ru with Gu meaning darkness and Ru meaning light so essentially means one who guides us from darkness to lightness, From Spiritual ignorance to understanding. From Falsehood to Truth. There were 10 Sikh Gurus who spoke the Word of God. This was written down and in 1708, the 10th Sikh Guru declared that the next Guru and Eternal Guru would be Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (The Sikh Scriptures). We believe the Guru to be the word of God and therefore is treated with the utmost respect and a Sikh will bow only before the word of God/ Their Guru. The first photo you see above is taken at a Gurdwara (the Sikh place of worship). A Gurdwara is the Sikh place of worship and has 2 main areas. Langar (Free Kitchen) - This is where everyone regardless of colour/creed/status/religion can come and eat free food. Gurus Darbar (Court of the Guru) - I will explain below: In the Darbar, raised from floor level, there will be a throne and seated on that throne will be our Guru - The Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Holy Scriptures). They will be covered with various cloths unless they are being read. Above the Guru will be a canopy signifying the importance of the Guru. Somebody will also be waving a Chaur Sahib over them as a mark of respect and just as was traditionally done for Kings and Royalty in India at that time. However reads from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or does the Chaur Sahib over the Guru will sit slightly behind the throne at a lower level. The 2 flags you see on either side of the throne are small versions of what are known as Nishaan Sahibs and bear the symbol of the Sikhs. These Nishaan Sahibs fly high in the sky outside Gurdwaras to show that the Guru is there and that anyone regardless of colour/religion/gender can come. In the Gurus presence, people will come and bow before their Guru / the word of God and sit on the floor crossed legged (unless they physically can't) where they will listen/sing hymns from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or listen to explanations etc. Hopefully that will have given you further insight and understanding into what you saw...