Sikhism and principles of Sikhism. All about Sikhs and Guru Granth Sahib.

Sikhism, the youngest among world religions, arose over 500 years ago in (sub-continental) India. It surged up across the horizon as a great revolutionary force that changed the very course of Indian history. With its values of universalism, liberalism, humanism and pluralism, preached and propagated in the medieval age, Sikh religion introduced new elements which later flowered out in modern world civilization.

Sikhism, a unique 'revealed' religion originated with Guru Nanak (1469-1539 AD) who was succeeded by nine other Prophets-Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 AD) being the last and tenth Prophet. It is a distinctive monotheistic faith envisioning one Supreme God who is Creator also.

Sikhism endeavored for a new dispensation characterized by the values of liberty, equality, justice, tolerance and non-violence, discarding discriminations of all kinds on grounds of creed, caste, class, race, region, sex, etc. God is realizable by man in his very earthly, household life, through spiritual enlightenment, moral responsibility, intellectual catholicity and social commitment.

The Sikh Scripture, Guru Granth (earlier known as Adi Granth), is unique among the Scriptures of different religions. The Adi Granth was prepared by the fifth Prophet himself who compiled holy compositions of the earlier Gurus as well as of like-spirited Hindu Saints and Muslim Sufis. Later Guru Gobind Singh added to the Adi Granth the hymns of the ninth Prophet (with one couplet of his own). Before passing away, Guru Gobind Singh bestowed 'Guruship' on the Adi Granth, making it the Guru Granth, that is, the embodiment of the spirit of the Gurus. The Guru Granth-the divine World-thus is revered and worshipped as the eternal "living" Guru by the Sikhs. The Sikh Scripture contains 5894 holy hymns in 31 ragas (classical musical measures) of the Sikh Gurus, Hindu Saints and Muslim divines-36 in all-from the length and breadth of (sub-continental) India, embodying the spiritual enlightenment and religious consciousness, from the thirteenth to the seventeenth century, with continuing significance and relevance for the liberation of man and amelioration of society.

Literal definition

Sikh (a disciple, a student, a learner) seeker of light/truth and learns from the teachings/way of the Gurus. A Sikh is a keeper of the creators image. Though sometimes mistaken for members of a sect of Hinduism or Islam, Sikhism is distinct from any other religion. The unique attributes of Sikhism are it's revelation from God and the word of God inscribed in the divine scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib.

"I observe neither Hindu fasting nor the ritual of the Muslim Ramadan month; Him I serve who at the last shall save. The Lord of universe of the Hindus, Gosain and Allah to me are one; From Hindus and Muslims have I broken free. I perform neither Kaaba pilgrimage nor at bathing spots worship; One sole Lord I serve, and no other. I perform neither the Hindu worship nor the Muslim prayer; To the Sole Formless Lord in my heart I bow. We neither are Hindus nor Muslims; Our body and life belong to the One Supreme Being who alone is both Ram and Allah for us." Guru Arjan, Guru Granth Sahib, Raga Bhairon page 1136

Introduction

The Life Cycle

Listen and Learn

Sikhism provides us with the values to define our integrity and spiritual strength so that we can apply them to our daily lives.

A scholarly Approach

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