PRESENTATION ON SIKHISM By Central Gurdwara Manchester

1. PRESENTATION ON SIKHISM By Central Gurdwara Manchester

2. Agenda • Origin of Sikhism • The Gurdwara • What is a Sikh? • What is a “Guru”? • Birth of Sikhism & the 10 Gurus • Birth of the Khalsa • The Guru Granth Sahib • Sikh Beliefs • The “5 Ks” & Khanda • Ik Onkar • Nishaan Sahib • The Golden Temple • Sikh Dastar (Turban) • Importance of Identity • Some Sikh Public Faces • Dastar Bandi & Anand Karaj

3. Origin of Sikhism CHINA IRAN INDIA AFGHANISTAN PAKISTAN INDIA

4. Gurdwara – Place of Worship • Gurdwara means Doorway to God or House of God • The Sikh religious service follows the traditions started by the1st Guru to promote equality and alleviate suffering. It has 3 components: • Sangat: Community prayer through readings from the Guru Granth Sahib and singing of hymns (Kirtan). • Pangat: A sense of equality with everyone seated on the ground - at the same level. • Langar: Community vegetarian meal for all. • Protocol to be observed in the Gurdwara: • Heads covered • Shoes removed • Sit on floor • All are WELCOME

5. Gurdwara – Place of Worship

6. What is a Sikh? • Sikh means learner • Sikh means “Student” or “Disciple” of God • Sikhism is world’s 5th largest religion, after Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism • 26 million Sikhs worldwide • 20 million in India • 500,000 in the United Kingdom • 99 % of the people wearing TURBANS in the United Kingdom are Sikhs

7. Who are the Sikhs?

8. What is a “Guru”? • Guru means teacher • Guru means “Spiritual Enlightener” The term GURU implies descendant of divine guidance to mankind sent from God. • Literally translated: GU–means darkness and RU means light. • Thus, “Guru” means the Light that dispels darkness. Therefore, Guru Nanak was the embodiment of divine light.

9. Birth of Sikhism • Guru Nanak Dev Ji – 1st Guru • Born in 1469 during a time when: • Rich exploited the poor • Women had no role in society • Land divided by religion • Caste system prevailed • Guru Nanak founded Sikhism based on equality and justice for all and taught us that all human beings regardless of skin color, wealth, caste, and gender are created equal. “Truth is high; still higher is truthful living” - Guru Nanak Dev Ji

10. The 11 Gurus

11. The 10 Gurus • Guru Nanak Dev ji – Founded Sikhism, One Universal God, Do not discriminate on basis of Colour, Creed, Religion, Case, Creed. Earn an honest living, Share with others • Guru Angad Dev ji – Introduced new alphabet known as Gurmukhi Script, started langar to break caste system • Guru Amardas ji – Embodiment of Seva (service). Humilty and service leads to a happy life • Guru Ramdas ji –Built the holy city of Amritsar. Reformed the marriage ceremony of Anand Karaj • Guru Arjan Dev ji – Compiled Adi Granth Sahib, built Golden Temple, First Sikh Martyr, Accepted the Will of God • Guru Hargobind ji – Miri (Temporal Strength) and Piri (Spiritual Strength), Bandi Chorr (Diwali)

12. The 10 Gurus • Guru Har Rai ji – Respect for nature and conservation. Opened Free hospitals for those in need. • Guru Har Krishan ji – Child Guru, impressed elders by his diving knowledge, Divine healing power, devoted his life to helping the sick especially treating smallpox • Guru Tegh Bahadur ji - Forgiveness is the greatest virtue. Championed religious freedom and gave his life and was martyred while fighting for religious freedom. • Guru Gobind Singh ji – Created Khalsa (comes from the Persian word “khalis” meaning “Pure”), Fought many religious defensive battles against tyrant rulers. Proclaimed Sri Guru Grath Sahib Ji as our eternal Guru instead of a human Guru.

13. ‘Birth of the Khalsa’ • During the spring of 1699, the Guru called his followers for a special gathering. Symbolized a revitalization of the Sikh identity and the evolution of the Sikh community into saint-soldiers. After initiating the five "beloved ones" into the new order of the Khalsa, the Guru knelt before them and requested that they initiate him. • Gave the names Singh (“Lion”) to men and Kaur (“Princess”) to women. • Khalsa Sikhs identified with the 5 K’s.

14. Guru Granth Sahib ji • “Guru” means “Spiritual teacher”who dispels the ignorance. • “Granth” implies a ‘Scripture containing divine knowledge’. • “Sahib” is added as a mark of respect, which literally means “The Master” or “The Lord”.

15. Guru Granth Sahib ji Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru declared Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the eternal Guru and ultimate spiritual authority for the Sikhs. Guru Granth Sahib - • the Sikh Scripture is purely monotheistic • 1430 pages and 5867 hymms • The Gurus’ Experience of the Divine • Also included were a few hymns from Hindu and Muslim saints who believed in ONE God • The main teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib are cultivating a real personal devotion to God, fostering compassion and service for people who are poor or suffering, and promoting equality and seeking harmony among all human beings • The central theme of the Guru Granth Sahib is concerned with the creation of a just social order and the commitment to social and gender equality and peaceful coexistence

16. Sikh Beliefs • There is One God for all of creation, a loving Creator attainable through the Grace • Goal is to be one with god • Selfless service towards the entire Creation • Truth, fearless, non-hateful spirit are important in attaining salvation • Absolute equality of humanity • Defenders of social and spiritual justice • Living a moral, truthful and hardworking existence • Humility and loving action • Defending the rights of the downtrodden and oppressed • Bhai Kanhiya • pioneer of the Red Cross & humanitarian aide organizations

17. Respect for All • Equality of all religions and people • Give relevance to God rather than religion • Believers of interfaith diversity • Sikhism believes that there are many paths to God. Anyone can achieve salvation irrespective of the religion that they follow if they endear God in their heart and daily actions

18. Guru Nanak Dev ji’s Principles These 3 pillars / principles are the FOUNDATION of Sikhism. • NaamJapo: Chanting the Holy Name and thus remembering God at all times (ceaseless devotion to God). • KiratKarō: Earning/making a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud. • VandChakkō: Sharing with others, helping those with less who are in need. So these are Sikhs essential pillars and are very import daily activities. The idea of the above is to uphold the five virtues and resist the five evils as per the following

19. Five Virtues • Sat - Being truthful - Acting justly towards others. With honesty, integrity and treating all as equals. • Santokh - Contentment – Be happy with what god has given you. It is gods will for you. • Daya - Compassion – feel another persons pain. The concept is to do whatever in ones mean to helps others in pain or tragedy. • Nimrata – Humility – To be humble and modest at all times and without ego. • Pyar – Love - Love for god and all his creations. Forgive and forget for all grievances. Bear no grudges. These are the five qualities / virtues and are essential to a Sikh.

20. Five Evils • Krodh – Rage – This covers loss of temper, anger, violence etc. One must control that and live within the world with humility. • Lobh - Greed – This covers a strong desire for material items and also wanting of what belongs to others. One can become blind with greed. • Moh – Attachment – If one has attachment only for material things, then he cannot progress to master his life. He is too wrapped up in that. • Ahankar – Ego –This gives an individual to feel he is superior and all others below him inferior. This leads to jealousy etc. It is all about I, me and mine. Taking credit where its not due. Etc. • Kam – Lust – Deep desire, uncontrolled longing, So these are the five evils to Sikhs. This is why we have a duty to recite gurbani /meditate (simran) and also a duty to do selfless service (sewa) so that all these virtues become part of our mind at all times to help us all attain the goal of mastering our life.

21. The Four Bajjar Kurehats (Cardinal Sins) • Dishonour the hair by cutting it. • Eating meat of an animal killed with prayers (Kuthha ie Halal or Kosher) • Consumption of intoxicants particularly tobacco. • Co-habit with another man or woman other than one’s spouse.

22. Articles of Faith 5 K’s – mandatory articles of faith • Kesh - Uncut hair: Sikhs do not cut hair or beards to remain in the image that God gave us. • Kara - Bracelet, made of iron or steel worn on right hand –a reminder of noble actions, a symbol of eternity • Kanga - Comb, made of wood - to keep uncut hair neat and clean. • Kachera - Under-shorts (boxers) to represent modesty and fidelity (virtuous character) • Kirpan - Ceremonial small blunt knife symbolizing freedom, liberty and justice.

23. Khanda The Khanda: is the double edged sword that represents God’s power, the circle is for continuity, the two outer swords for spiritual and political balance.

24. ONE GOD IN ALL

25. Nishan Sahib The Nishan Sahib is a Sikh holy flag made of cotton or silk cloth and is triangular in shape. The colour of the Nishan Sahib is saffron. Guru Hargobind hoisted it for the first time at Akal Takhat Sahib in the year 1609. The Nishan Sahib is placed outside every Sikh Gurdwara and is supported by a pole of timber or metal. You may notice the Sikh symbol, the Khanda on it. It is placed high up as a sign for all Sikhs and indeed any other people that they can come and pray in this building. Great respect is shown to this flag and is shown by washing it using milk and water every year in April at the festival of Vaisakhi, at which time the Nishan Sahib is also changed.

26. The Golden Temple • The Golden Temple is the most sacred of places for the Sikhs. • To enter one has to descend stairs – teaches humility. • There are doors on all fours sides, which signifies that people from all over the world are invited irrespective of caste, color, religion, and race. • 24/7 Langar.

28. 4 Doors to enter Golden Temple

29. Golden Temple Foundation

30. Sikh Dastar (Turban) • Mandatory – not a social or cultural article. • Covers long, uncut hair. • Approx. 15 feet of cloth wrapped neatly around the head. • Boys wear ‘patka’ . • Symbolizes discipline, integrity, humility, and spirituality. • Middle East head coverings different. • 99% of people wearing TURBANS in UK are Sikhs, not Muslims or Hindus.

31. Sikh Dastar (Turban)

32. Types of Turbans

33. Importance of Identity • Sikhs feel severely humiliated if asked to remove their turban in public, as this breaks a sacred covenant with god and exposes an intimate part of the body. • It is very insulting and disrespectful to a Sikh to remove his or her turban. • Turbans are a mandatory part of Sikh faith. • A turban is not a hat. It cannot be casually taken on and off. It must be carefully retied each time it is removed. • Treat the turban with respect.

34. Some Sikh Public Faces Two Sikh soldiers have become the first of their religion to guard the Queen. Judge Sir Mota Singh QC Dr. Manmohan Singh Indian Prime Minister Narinder Singh Kapani Father of Fiber Optics Sikh serving in British Army Monty Panesar England Cricketer

35. The Man Utd Sikhs

36. Dastar Bandi • A very important and exciting event in the life of a Sikh boy comes when he starts tying the turban (Usually between 10-14 years of age). • Family will have a special function to celebrate the occasion, which is called Dastar Bandi. • The boy is is seated in front of Guru Granth Sahib ji and an elder ties the turban on his head. • Prayers are said to invoke Guru's blessing for the boy.

37. Anand Karaj The Sikh marriage is called 'Anand Karaj' which means the ceremony of joy. The Sikh wedding is held in the morning in a Gurdwara in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. One Soul in Two Bodies "They are not said to be husband and wife, who merely sit together. Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies." (Guru Amar Das Ji, Pauri, pg 788, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

38. ONE GOD IN ALL Template taken from original by Mandeep Singh Bawa GAISS Equity Education Director