Sikhism
Beliefs and concepts:
![Picture](/uploads/5/5/2/1/55215223/6968733.png?273)
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion. It teaches that all people are equal in Gods eyes. Sikhism emphasises daily remembrance to God, one should remember God at all times. Religious freedom is important in Sikhism, all people have a right to follow their own path to God, without condemnation from anyone. The word Sikh means disciple or student, this is because Sikhs are disciples go God who follows the teachings of the Gurus. They are against saints, scholars and soldiers. Sikhism encourages people to live a moral and ethical life, a Sikh should represent moral responsibility and righteousness. Sikhism rejects all forms of rituals such as idol worship, fasting, and superstitions. The primary task in life for a Sikh should be to help the poor, needy, and oppressed. The Sikhs have a long history of speaking out against injustice.
The Mool Mantar means 'basic teachings', it is the creed of the Sikhs and it is found at the beginning of every section of the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the Sikh Scriptures. It is the key prayer of Sikhs which sums up the basic concepts of the Sikh religion. It is repeated each day during early morning prayer.
Ik Onkar = There is only one God
Sat Nam = Eternal truth is His name
Karta Purakh = He is the creator
Nir Bhau = He is without fear
Nir Vair = He is without hate
Akal Murat = Immortal, without form
Ajuni = Beyond birth and death
Saibhang = He is the enlightener
Gur Prasaad = He can be reached through the mercy and grace of the true Guru
Manmukh means the ego guided person, as opposed to gurmukh`who is Guru guided. In the Sikh scriptures it opposes and contrasts the ocentric and egocentric personality types. The word manmukh is someone who is only interested in their own desires and is self-centred.
In Sikhism the five k's (khands) are central to the tradition. They are physical objects that remind Sikhs of important aspects of their faith. The five k's must be worn at all times by devoted Sikhs who call themselves the Khalsa. Each item represents somethings different.
Kesh = the practice of not cuttings ones hair and allowing it to grow naturally. This is a symbol of respect for the perfection of Gods creation. Often Sikhs will wear a turban to cover their uncut hair.
Kangha = This is a small wooden comb. It is used twice a day to ensure hair is kept tidy. It reminds Sikhs of the importance of cleanliness and self-discipline.
Kara = This is a steel bracelet that symbolises strength, honesty and Gods eternal nature. It reminds Sikhs that all of their actions should be inline with the teachings of the Gurus.
Kachera = This is cotton underwear, it symbolises the importance of chastity and self control. Men and women are expected to wear cotton shorts.
Kirpan = This is a ceremonial sword, which was originally a sword for self-defence. The chirping is worn as a reminder that Sikhs should fight against injustice and protect the weak.
For Sikhs death is not the end, they believe in reincarnation, this is that a person’s soul may be reborn as a human or an animal. The Sikh sacred text, the Guru Granth Sahib, says that the body is just clothing for the soul and is discarded at death. Sikhs believe that everything that happens is Hukam, this is the will of God. When a persons soul is released from rebirth it is taken back to join God. For a Sikh there are 8,400,000 forms of life and that many souls have to travel though a number of these before they can reach God. Only in the human form we can know the difference between right and wrong and so it is only when the soul is in a human being that there is a chance of being released from rebirth.
Sikhs believe in karma, this is the belief that actions and the consequences of these actions decide whether a soul can be set free from rebirth. Freedom from the cycle of rebirth is called mukti. Things that can stop mukti are:
The Mool Mantar means 'basic teachings', it is the creed of the Sikhs and it is found at the beginning of every section of the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the Sikh Scriptures. It is the key prayer of Sikhs which sums up the basic concepts of the Sikh religion. It is repeated each day during early morning prayer.
Ik Onkar = There is only one God
Sat Nam = Eternal truth is His name
Karta Purakh = He is the creator
Nir Bhau = He is without fear
Nir Vair = He is without hate
Akal Murat = Immortal, without form
Ajuni = Beyond birth and death
Saibhang = He is the enlightener
Gur Prasaad = He can be reached through the mercy and grace of the true Guru
Manmukh means the ego guided person, as opposed to gurmukh`who is Guru guided. In the Sikh scriptures it opposes and contrasts the ocentric and egocentric personality types. The word manmukh is someone who is only interested in their own desires and is self-centred.
In Sikhism the five k's (khands) are central to the tradition. They are physical objects that remind Sikhs of important aspects of their faith. The five k's must be worn at all times by devoted Sikhs who call themselves the Khalsa. Each item represents somethings different.
Kesh = the practice of not cuttings ones hair and allowing it to grow naturally. This is a symbol of respect for the perfection of Gods creation. Often Sikhs will wear a turban to cover their uncut hair.
Kangha = This is a small wooden comb. It is used twice a day to ensure hair is kept tidy. It reminds Sikhs of the importance of cleanliness and self-discipline.
Kara = This is a steel bracelet that symbolises strength, honesty and Gods eternal nature. It reminds Sikhs that all of their actions should be inline with the teachings of the Gurus.
Kachera = This is cotton underwear, it symbolises the importance of chastity and self control. Men and women are expected to wear cotton shorts.
Kirpan = This is a ceremonial sword, which was originally a sword for self-defence. The chirping is worn as a reminder that Sikhs should fight against injustice and protect the weak.
For Sikhs death is not the end, they believe in reincarnation, this is that a person’s soul may be reborn as a human or an animal. The Sikh sacred text, the Guru Granth Sahib, says that the body is just clothing for the soul and is discarded at death. Sikhs believe that everything that happens is Hukam, this is the will of God. When a persons soul is released from rebirth it is taken back to join God. For a Sikh there are 8,400,000 forms of life and that many souls have to travel though a number of these before they can reach God. Only in the human form we can know the difference between right and wrong and so it is only when the soul is in a human being that there is a chance of being released from rebirth.
Sikhs believe in karma, this is the belief that actions and the consequences of these actions decide whether a soul can be set free from rebirth. Freedom from the cycle of rebirth is called mukti. Things that can stop mukti are:
- hankar - pride
- kam - lust or desire
- karodh - anger
- lobh - greed
- manmukh - being self-centred instead of God-centred which is Gurmukh
- maya - illusion - looking at the world and ignoring Waheguru
- moh – being too attached to the world