Discussion/Questions on Sikhism

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SilentObserver

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I have noticed that there are threads for the purpose of asking christians and jews questions about their religions, but none for Sikhs. I also noticed that I know squat about the sikh religion.

So I have started this thread with the hopes that our sikh members will answer our questions when they have time.

Please, no debating. Just questions and answers. If you don't agee with a particular point that is made in an answer, then start another thread for the purpose of debate.

I would first ask if a sikh member could just give us a quick summary of their religion.

Second, a specific question. A member used the name Waheguru, in a post. Who is Waheguru?
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

Firstly i am not sikh so apologies to any sikhs (im sure Avar can correct me if im wrong :) if i have answered incorrectly. This post should be interesting, give us all a chance to learn a bit more about sikhism.

The first part i will leave to one of the sikh members as they are best placed to summarise there beliefs. In answer to the second part, Wahagur refers to God.
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh (Pure ones belong to God, and victory to God)

Hi.

Well Sikhs orignate from the Panjab (India) Between 1469 and 1708, ten Gurus preached a simple message of truth, devotion to God, and universal equality. Often mistaken as a combination of Hinduism and Islam, the Sikh religion can be characterized as a completely independent faith

I's one of the youngest of the World religions. Its founder Guru Nanak Dev was born in a village called Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, in 1469.

The Sikhs have ten Gurus. It is believed that they all had same soul though they had different bodies, and that it was Guru Nanak Dev's spirit which passed on into his nine successors.

Ten Gurus

Guru Nanak who was born at Talwandi in the Punjab in A.D. 1469. During his life time he visited many sacred places in India, central Asia and Middle East including Mecca. He was well versed in the scriptures of all the major religions including Christianity and Judaism. He preached a liberal path, which is known today as sikhism

His teachings in the form of religious hymns are preserved in the Gurugranth Sahib, which is the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. Guru Nanak passed away in A.D.1538 and was followed by a succession of nine gurus whose names are mentioned below:

2. Guru Angad

3. Guru Amardas

4. Guru Ramdas

5. Guru Arjan

6.Guru Har Gobind

7. Guru Har Rai:

8. Guru Har Krishan

9. Guru Teg Bahadur

10. Guru Gobind Singh (1675-1708)


Sikhism rejects idolatry, the caste system, ritualism, and asceticism. It recognizes the equality between both genders and all religions, prohibits the intake of any intoxicants, and encourages an honest, truthful living. Sikhs have their own holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib. Written, composed, and compiled by the Sikh Gurus themselves, the Guru Granth Sahib serves as the ultimate source of spiritual guidance for Sikhs. While the Sikhs hold their Gurus in high reverence, they are not to be worshipped; Sikhs may only worship God.



We are not allowed to worship any idols, images or photographs.
According to the Sikh belief, God is the eternal truth; he is beyond fear, enmity and death. He is unborn and is self illuminated. He himself is the creator, preserver and destroyer.

The Sikhs believe that all existence is controlled by one omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient Lord called by different names: Ishwar, Jehovah, Allah and Waheguru, God


The belief of the Sikhs in Waheguru is similar to that of Judaism, Christianity and Islam i.e., God is the greatest power, He is supreme, He is the king of kings, He pervades everywhere, He knows the inner thoughts of everyone, He is the giver, He existed before the start of the time, He existed when the time was started, He exists now and He will exist forever.

Relationship with God:

The Sikh Gurus called Waheguru as Master and themselves as his servants. In some hymns they called Him as Father, Mother, Friend and Brother as well1. Like Jesus Christ, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, in one of his hymns, called himself as God’s son.

Universality:

Sikhism does not believe in asceticism, celibacy or living alone at mountains or in caves or in forests in the search of Truth and God. It also rejects the orders of monasteries. For a Sikh the true life is the life of a householder. Living in a family environment and by serving the community both Truth and God can be realised. Thus it rejects the order of monks (Buddhism and Jainism) and nuns (Christianity).

The Sikh teachings are based on the principles of Fatherhood of God and brotherhood of humankind.

Sikhism rejects the concept of chosen people (as in Judaism) and caste system (as in Hinduism); it also rejects the concept of entering `Nirvana’ without the blessings of God (as in Buddhism and Jainism).

In a Sikh temple people of all the faiths are welcome. The Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib also has in it the hymns composed by both Hindu and Muslim saints of various denominations.
 
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Re: Questions for Sikhs

Please bear with me, it may take a little time for me to grasp the full idea.

So when Guru Nanak Dev's spirit was passed on, the successor was already living it looks like from the dates. The dates are the duration of their teaching I assume? Not their lifespan, correct? So, assuming that they were alive when recieving Guru Nanak Dev's spirit, was their original spirit displaced? Or was the body shared?
Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh were alive at the same time, I will need help understanding the logistics of the soul for these two.
Guru Har Rai was only shown for the year 1630, and this was during the time of Guru Har Gobind. Again, I'll need help understanding.

Thank you.
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

SilentObserver said:
Please bear with me, it may take a little time for me to grasp the full idea.

So when Guru Nanak Dev's spirit was passed on, the successor was already living it looks like from the dates. The dates are the duration of their teaching I assume? Not their lifespan, correct? So, assuming that they were alive when recieving Guru Nanak Dev's spirit, was their original spirit displaced? Or was the body shared?

Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh were alive at the same time, I will need help understanding the logistics of the soul for these two.
Guru Har Rai was only shown for the year 1630, and this was during the time of Guru Har Gobind. Again, I'll need help understanding.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Sorry the dates i wrote are wrong. I'll post the actual ones shortly.
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

What kind of status do gurus have?

Somebody (not a Sikh) once told me that they are considered god-like/divine. Is that true?
I find that hard of believe, since Sikhism teaches that there is ony one God.

Thanks.
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

glo said:
What kind of status do gurus have?

Somebody (not a Sikh) once told me that they are considered god-like/divine. Is that true?
I find that hard of believe, since Sikhism teaches that there is ony one God.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

The Gurus in Sikhism are enlighteners. They are the messengers of the Timeless (God). They renew the eternal wisdom. They are universal Prophets who free our minds from bigotry and superstitions, dogmas and rituals, and emphasize the simplicity of the religion.


Only the illiterate refer to them as 'Gods' they were divine and performed miracles just like Jesus and Mohammed did! But are not worshipped by Sikhs!
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

1. Guru Nanak - 1469 to 1539

2. Guru Angad - 1539 to 1552

3. Guru Amar Das - 1552 to 1574

4. Guru Ram Das - 1574 to 1581

5. Guru Arjan - 1581 to 1606

6. Guru Hargobind - 1606 to 1644

7. Guru Har Rai 1630 - 1644 to 1661

8. Guru Har Krishan - 1661 to 1664

9. Guru Tegh Bahadur - 1665 to 1675

10. Guru Gobind Singh - 1675 to 1708
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

Ah, the dates clear things up a little. But, a question remains. What do sikhs believe happened to the soul that was in each gurus body when Guru Nanak Dev's soul was passed to them?
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

AvarAllahNoor said:
The Gurus in Sikhism are enlighteners. They are the messengers of the Timeless (God). They renew the eternal wisdom. They are universal Prophets who free our minds from bigotry and superstitions, dogmas and rituals, and emphasize the simplicity of the religion.


Only the illiterate refer to them as 'Gods' they were divine and performed miracles just like Jesus and Mohammed did! But are not worshipped by Sikhs!
Click to expand...

Thank you for your explanation, AvarAllahNoor. :)

In my work I visit a Sikh - and old man in his 80s who cared for his profoundly mentally disabled son. His wife died at the beginning of this year, and he cares for his son tirelessly and without complaint. Luckily he has several other children nearby who help as much as they can.

He is one of the most humble and amazing people I have ever met.

Peace
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

SilentObserver said:
Ah, the dates clear things up a little. But, a question remains. What do sikhs believe happened to the soul that was in each gurus body when Guru Nanak Dev's soul was passed to them?
Click to expand...

The divine spirit was passed from one Guru to the next as "The light of a lamp which lights another does not abate."

Each Guru contributed something different to Sikhism. If you want i can post a list.
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

glo said:
Thank you for your explanation, AvarAllahNoor. :)

In my work I visit a Sikh - and old man in his 80s who cared for his profoundly mentally disabled son. His wife died at the beginning of this year, and he cares for his son tirelessly and without complaint. Luckily he has several other children nearby who help as much as they can.

He is one of the most humble and amazing people I have ever met.

Peace
Click to expand...

Sikhs pray for humble mind and sound intellect. We are supposed to accept everything we are dealt without complaint. As it is the will of God what we receive or don't receive :)
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

Do Sikhs beleive Isa or any of the other prophets central to the Abrahamic religions?

Peace CG
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

HI,
I have 2 questions
1. What are the miracles performed by Sikh Gurus?
2. Why do Skikh men don't cut their hair?

Thank you
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

i have couple of questions.....

erm about the 5 k's, wot are they? and do they signify? how does it reflect your living?

do you believe in the day of judgment?

heaven or hell?

why do you wear the turban, wot does it represent?

and finally are women allowed to wear the turban? i have personally a girl wearing it in uni, is that appropriate in ur religion?

do you have any special holy books?

sorry......if am asking to many questions...am just really interested, getting carried away.....

do have more....will ask later inshAllah(God willing)
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

Curious girl2 said:
Do Sikhs beleive Isa or any of the other prophets central to the Abrahamic religions?

Peace CG
Click to expand...

Yes. All Prophets are greatly revered in Sikhism as they all were sent by God at various times of turmoil on this earth.
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

AmarFaisal said:
HI,
I have 2 questions

1. What are the miracles performed by Sikh Gurus?

2. Why do Sikh men don't cut their hair?

Thank you
Click to expand...

Hair is a gift from God, therefore why should anyone cut it? Sikhs live the way God made humans and never cut their hair. For Sikhs hair is the symbol of love for God and the respect for everything He has given us. The way God made us is the most beautiful of all. To Christians, even the Bible says, “God loves us and cares so much about us that even all the hairs of our head has been well counted” (Matt.10:30). ''God made man in his own image''. (Bible) so the hair is neccessary or he'd not have allowed it to grow.


From the scientific view, keeping hair is practical because hair has many functions. It traps an insulating layer of still air just outside the skin, and thereby reduces loss of heat by radiation, hair absorbs harmful radiations from the sun, hair follicles can make androgenic hormones and Axillary hair provides larger surface area for evaporation of sweat. Although Sikhs do not need scientific explanations to keep hair, it is important to note that scientific explanations do indeed exist.


Also, Muslims are forbidden to cut the beard, we just go that extra step further and preserve all hair (Kesh)
 
Re: Questions for Sikhs

traveler said:
i have couple of questions.....

erm about the 5 k's, wot are they? and do they signify? how does it reflect your living?

do you believe in the day of judgment?

heaven or hell?

why do you wear the turban, wot does it represent?

and finally are women allowed to wear the turban? i have personally a girl wearing it in uni, is that appropriate in ur religion?

do you have any special holy books?

sorry......if am asking to many questions...am just really interested, getting carried away.....

do have more....will ask later inshAllah(God willing)
Click to expand...

Hello Traveller.

I'll answer one question at a time, because it's only poor lickle me on my tod. :)

5 KS

Kesh: Hair is not just a symbol, it is the gift from God. Guru Nanak started the practice of keeping the hair unshorn. The keeping of hair in its natural state is regarded as living in harmony with the will of God, and is a symbol of the Khalsa brotherhood and the Sikh faith. Hair is an integral part of the human body created by God and Sikhism call for its preservation. Sikhs live the way God made humans and never cut their hair. Guru Gobind Singh Ji instructed Sikh to wear Turban in order to protect their hair. Turban has many purposes and one is to keep a Sikh focused in his beliefs.

Kanga: The comb is necessary to keep the hair clean and tidy. A Sikh must comb his hair twice a day and tie his turban neatly. The Gurus wore turbans and commanded the Sikhs to wear turbans for the protection of the hair, and promotion of social identity and cohesion. It has thus become an essential part of the Sikh dress.

Kara: The bracelet symbolizes restrain from evil deeds. It is worn on the right wrist and reminds the Sikh of the vows taken by him, that is, he is a servant of the God and should not do anything which may bring shame or disgrace. When he looks at the Kara, he is made to think twice before doing anything evil with his/her hands.

Kirpan: The sword is the emblem of courage and self-defense. It symbolizes dignity and self-reliance, the capacity and readiness to always defend the weak and the oppressed. It helps sustain one's martial spirit and the determination to sacrifice oneself in order to defend truth, oppression and Sikh moral values.The rule is never to do injustice and never let anyone do injustice.

Kachehra: Kachehra symbolizes to live a faithful life. It reminds the Sikh of the need for self-restrain over passions, lust and desires. Apart from its moral significance, it ensures briskness during action and freedom of movement at all times. In todays dark world, filled with lust, if ever a Sikh gets carried away in the moment of lust, the Kachehra refrains one from making wrong moves and reminds him/her of their duties. (Bit like the modesty dressing in Islam)
 

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