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Josh T

The Sikh Symbols - The Hair and the Sikh Sacrifices - 1 views

www.gurmat.info/...chapter9

Culture Symbols

shared by Josh T on 01 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • To keep the hair intact is an indispensable element of the Sikh faith and the Sikh history is full of sacrifices which the Sikhs made for the protection and maintenance of uncut hair. For a Sikh, the Kesh is not only the symbol but the seal of his Gurus.
  • This is why the Sikhs always pray that their faith should sustain their life breath and keep their hair intact.
  • From 1720 to 1762 alone, nearly 30,000 Sikhs, including women and children, were put to death by the tyrants.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • The brave Sikhs sang the following couplet which has since become a popular Punjabi saying - "Mannun* is our sickle and we are a crop for him to mow, The more he cuts us, the more we grow'." * Mir Mannun was a Moghul Governor of Lahore from March 1748 to Nov. 1753, and a sworn enemy of Sikhs.
  • Many others were brought to Lahore and tortured and beheaded in the market place. This place is in Landa Bazar Lahore and is now known as Shahid Ganj (the place of the martyrs). It was once more in 1734 that Bhai Mani Singh, on his refusal to embrace Islam,was cut to pieces limb by limb. Then during the rule of Zakriya Khan in the Punjab, a price was put on the heads of the Sikhs. He who sheared off the hair of a Sikh, received blankets and bedding, he who supplied information about a Sikh was given ten rupees and he who caught or killed a Sikh was rewarded with fifty rupees from the coffers of the state. But none of this dampened the spirits of the Sikhs and they resolutely stuck to their faith and form. In 1742, Bhai Taru Singh was offered the usual choice of Islam or death. His only crime was that he was a Sikh. He bravely chose death. His executioners wanted his hair to be cut off first. Bhai Taru Singh strongly protested and gladly agreed to let his scalp be scrapped off with his hair intact on it. He bore this brutal punishment bravely, continuing to recite the Japji (The Sikh morning Prayer), and thus gave away his scalp for the protection of his uncut hair. In February 1762, after the second great holocaust in Sikh history, Baba Alia Singh, the saintly figure and the ancestor of the rulers of Patiala state (Punjab), was arrested by Ahmed Shah Abdali. He was given the choice of accepting Islam and having his hair cut off or of paying 125,000 rupees. Baba naturally elected to pay the fine. These and other great sacrifices made by the rank and file of the Sikhs have never been in vain. Their example and the slogans, "SIR JAYE TAN JAYE, MERA SIKHI SIDQ NA JA YE" (I would sooner accept death than renounce my faith), is a source of great inspiration for all time to come.
  • Josh T on 01 Mar 11
     
    Culture Sacrifices
Shiv Louis van de Ven

Sikhs: Fighting for Justice - 0 views

fateh.sikhnet.com/SikhJustice

Contributions To India

shared by Shiv Louis van de Ven on 04 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • During India's struggle for independence, Sikhs fought against the British at great personal cost. In the successful fight for independence, 3,697 Sikhs were hanged, killed or imprisoned for life, versus 1,074 non-Sikhs.
  • When India was granted independence and partitioned in 1947, massive populations of Muslims and Hindus were given their own geographic nation. The hard-working and hard-fighting Sikhs decided to join with predominantly Hindu India and put their faith in the Indian government to protect their interests. After receiving such firm and solemn promises in clear and unambiguous terms from the Congress Party leaders, Sikhs decided to throw in their lot with India and did not press the British government for an independent Sikh state. They had wholeheartedly and vigorously supported the freedom struggle and suffered greatly for the cause. Promises of religious freedom and self-determination made to them by Mahatma Gandhi and Mr. Nehru were never fulfilled. No sooner had the country achieved independence when all past promises, declarations and assurances made to the Sikhs, and the sacrifices made by the Sikhs were forgotten. With the partition of India to form the Moslem state of Pakistan, 60% of the agriculturally developed lands of the Sikhs went to Pakistan and the Sikhs migrated to Indian Punjab to make their new homes on barren land. Through their skill and industry, this land was transformed by a "green revolution" and now provides 60% of the food supply for all of India, including 70% of all the wheat and 50% of the rice.
  • "It was the Sikhs who helped spawn the "green revolution" in agriculture- the single most stunning accomplishment of India's independent years." Christian Science Monitor. 6/18/84
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  • "Industrious and ambitious, the Sikhs have turned Punjab, one of the few areas in which they form a majority, into a model of agricultural efficiency, thereby helping make India self-sufficient in wheat." Time Magazine, 6/18/84 Throughout their history, Sikhs have earned great distinction by standing in defense of the rights of other religious peoples, notably the Hindus. Historically, thousands of Sikhs gave their lives to protect the nonviolent Hindus against the abuse of the ruthless Moguls who forcibly imposed Islam upon India for several centuries. At the time of the fight for independence from Great Britain, 60% of the military was composed of Sikhs although they were only 2% of the total population.
  • The Sikhs are a people who value human rights, who have defended India against scores of invaders throughout the centuries, and who contribute in all respects to the independent nation of India.
  • Shiv Louis van de Ven on 04 Mar 11
     
    Look towards bottom
Abhiti V

Fauja Singh - Sikh Athlete - 3 views

www.sikhiwiki.org/...Fauja_Singh

society Celebrities

shared by Abhiti V on 01 Mar 11 - Cached
  • Fauja Singh (born April 1, 1911) is a Sikh marathon runner in his nineties from India who now lives in the UK.
  • He has set various marathon records in the over 90's category. In 2004, he was featured in an advertising campaign for sportswear manufacturer Adidas.
  • While running Marathon races in London, New York, Toronto, India, etc he has raised thousands of pounds for various charities promoting Sikh culture around the world. He has also raised money for B.L.I.S.S., a charity dedicated to the care for premature babies. He describes it as the 'oldest running for the youngest'.
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  • Fauja Singh shot to fame in 2000, when aged 89, he completed the gruelling 26.2 mile (about 42 km) distance in 6 hours and 54 minutes. This knocked 58 minutes off the previous world best for anyone in the 90 plus age bracket.
  • In 2004, Adidas signed him up for its 'Nothing Is Impossible' advertising campaign. He won't reveal how much money the deal involves, but says that a large part of his earnings went to charity.
  • AT THE age of 97, Fauja Singh is an unlikely poster boy in the battle to encourage people to take more exercise. But as he crossed the finish line after a 10km race in Glasgow yesterday, he issued a rallying call to couch potatoes and gym-dodgers nationwide: "If I can do it, anyone can do it."
  • "I run ten miles every other day and run shorter distances the days in between," he said. "Seventeen members of my extended family are also runners so I have helped encourage them and hopefully other people as well."
  • n the senior category, he not only set a new 200m record, but halved it from 76.8 seconds to 49.28 seconds! He also set the British record for 400 meters, 800m, 1 mile, and 3000m. “He is an inspiration because he has set five UK records. He has achieved more in one day than an athlete normally does in a lifetime,” said Bridget Cushen, Secretary, British Masters Athletic Federation. “If that wasn’t enough, he attempted all the records in under 94 minutes.”
  • “Fauja” is the Sikh name meaning “Army General” and he is true to his proud roots as the Sikhs are famous for their military prowess. They turn marvelous skill to peaceful activities, too, and many are great athletes.
  • Fauja has found the delicate balance aspired to by Sikhs between being a great Khalsa soldier and a great Khalsa saint. Fauja also is very aware about being a role model, and it is inspirational for young Sikh’s the world over, to see their proud military heritage, ability and training can be transformed into other healthy past-times, too.
    • Abhiti V
      Abhiti V on 01 Mar 11
       
      Khalsa: baptised Sikhs
  • Abhiti V on 01 Mar 11
     
    +90 year old Sikh runner beats many records (for age group) and inspires many
Shiv Louis van de Ven

Equlity of Women, in Sikh Ideology and Practice - 0 views

www.sikhwomen.com/...ideology_vs_practice.htm

Society

shared by Shiv Louis van de Ven on 04 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • In a woman man is conceived, From a woman he is born, With a woman he is betrothed and married, With a woman he contracts friendship. Why denounce her, the one from whom even kings are born ? From a woman a woman is born, None may exist without a woman." 5
  • At the time of Guru Nanak, Indian women were severely degraded and oppressed by their society. Given no education or freedom to make decisions, their presence in religious, political, social, cultural, and economic affairs was virtually non-existent.3 Woman was referred to as "man's shoe, the root of all evil, a snare, a temptress."4 Her function was only to perpetuate the race, do household work, and serve the male members of society. Female infanticide was common, and the practice of sati, the immolation of the wife on her husband's funeral pyre, was encouraged, sometimes even forced.
  • With this assertion, the Sikh Gurus invited women to join the sangat (congregation), work with men in the langar (common kitchen), and participate in all other religious, social, and cultural activities of the gurudwaras (Sikh places of worship). The Gurus redefined celibacy as marriage to one wife and taught that male and female alike need to practice conjugal fidelity. They advocated marriage of two equal partners. Guru Amar Das, the third guru, wrote :
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  • However, the Guru's teachings of equality have never been fully realized, which is clearly evident in the treatment of women even in the Sikh society today. Either because of the influence of the majority community on the Sikh minority or the Sikh male's unwillingness to give up his dominant role, women continue to suffer prejudices.
  • "Only they are truly wedded who have one spirit in two bodies." 8
    • Shiv Louis van de Ven
      Shiv Louis van de Ven on 06 Mar 11
       
      It seems that as much as they reinforce the fact that woman are equal to men, its never really applied and woman are still discriminated 
Abhiti V

Arpinder Kaur - Sikh Pilot - 1 views

www.sikhiwiki.org/...Arpinder_Kaur

society Celebrities

shared by Abhiti V on 01 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Arpinder Kaur a 28 year old flight instructor in San Antonio, USA has become the first turbaned woman Sikh pilot for a major US Airline.
  • With support on the ground for Sikhs from advocacy groups to make flying easier without hate and abuse, now with a turban wearing pilot, flying could be another avocation for dynamic young Sikhs.
  • She filed her grievance for accommodation of her religious article of faith based on American Airlines’ allowance of “regulation approved hats”. An agreement was reached that is consistent with state and federal anti-discrimination law.
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  • “Two of the reasons I did this were: first, my love of flying and, second, to set a precedent for the community so they know you can be in your Sikh appearance and do anything out there; so that my younger brothers and sisters (the rising generation) will pursue their passions while practicing their Sikh faith.”
  • Kaur has chosen to follow her passion;
  • Harinder Singh, executive director of the Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) in San Antonio, Texas said, “This is a great day for the Sikhs in America. Religious accommodation, not assimilation, is what the founders of this great nation envisioned and we are thrilled American Airlines celebrates the rich religious and cultural diversity of all American populations.”
    • Abhiti V
      Abhiti V on 01 Mar 11
       
      Precedent: to set an example for...
    • Abhiti V
      Abhiti V on 01 Mar 11
       
      advocacy: supporting
    • Abhiti V
      Abhiti V on 01 Mar 11
       
      Assimilation: to thoroughly understand/incorporate
  • Abhiti V on 01 Mar 11
     
    First Sikh pilot to wear a turban during flight She is TRYING to be influential for younger rising stars
Shiv Louis van de Ven

SIKHISM: Beliefs, paractices, symbol, names - 1 views

www.religioustolerance.org/sikhism2.htm

Culture

shared by Shiv Louis van de Ven on 04 Mar 11 - Cached
  • Goal: The goal of every Sikh is to build a close, loving relationship with God.
  • Deity: Sikhs believe in a single, Formless God, with many names, who can be known through meditation. his concept is similar to Islam whose followers believe in a single God who has 99 names. The Mool Mantar, the first hymn composed by Guru Nanak, is recited daily by many Sikhs. It contains a description of many of the attributes of God: There is only one God; His Name is Truth; He is the Creator; He is without fear; He is without hate; He is beyond time (i.e. is immortal); He is beyond birth and death; He is self-existent. 1 Only he can be worshiped. Rahras, a Sikh evening prayer states: "[O God] since I have fallen at your feet, I do not care for anybody else. I do not follow the religious ways preached by various religions believing in Ram, Mohammed, Puran or Qur'an. The Simritis, Shastras and the Vedas lay down different doctrines. But I do not recognize any of these. O God, I have written these hymns with your grace and kindness. All that has been said is in fact spoken by you." 2
  • Reincarnation: They believe in samsara (the repetitive cycle of birth, life and death), karma (the accumulated sum of one's good and bad deeds, and reincarnation the belief of a rebirth following death. These beliefs are similar to Hinduism.
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  • Caste system: Sikhs have rejected the caste system of the Hindu religion. They believe that everyone has equal status in the eyes of God. This is a very important principle that permeates all Sikh beliefs, behaviors, and rituals.
  • Any human being who faithfully believes in (i) One Immortal Being, (ii) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh, (iii) The Guru Granth Sahib, (iv) The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and (v) the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh."
  • Prayers: repeated multiple times each day.
  • Worship: Sikhs are prohibited from worshipping idols, images, or icons.  
  • Temples: There are over 200 Gurdwaras (temples, shrines or holy places) in India alone. The most sacred is Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple, at Amritsar. However, all places where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is installed are equally holy.
  • he Five K's: These are clothing practices followed by stricter Sikhs, called Khalsa saints: Kesa (long hair, which is never cut). This term is sometimes used to refer to the turban that is used to cover the hair. Kangah (comb) Kacha (short pants) Kara (metal bracelet) Kirpan (a ceremonial dagger)  
  • The Sikh Code of Conduct states, "A Sikh must not take hemp, opium, liquor, tobacco, or any intoxicant." Drinking of alcoholic beverages or smoking is thus forbidde
Abhiti V

Flying Sikh Inspires - 1 views

www.zeenews.com/news612972.html

Celebrities society Jobs

shared by Abhiti V on 08 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Milkha Singh, one of India's greatest track athletes, has sold his life story to a film maker for a cut price one rupee (two cents) in the hope that the biopic might inspire the youth of his country to excel in the sport.
  • "I want Indian youth to understand what determination and purpose can achieve," film director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra told the paper.
  • "If a Milkha, who didn't have access to even basic necessities of life, can aim for the skies, why not others who've been provided the best of facilities?"
  • Abhiti V on 08 Mar 11
     
    Track athlete sold life story to a director for one rupee so that he would inspire children to do sports
Abhiti V

Harbhajan Singh (poet) - 1 views

en.wikipedia.org/...Harbhajan_Singh_(poet)

Celebrities society

shared by Abhiti V on 10 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Harbhajan Singh (18 August 1920 – 21 October 2002) was a Punjabi poet, critic, cultural commentator, and translator.
  • He was educated in the local DAV School and was a top student from a very early age. In his educational ventures, he was among the top three in Punjab but had to stop his studies for lack of money. He took up odd jobs as a sales-boy at a Homoepathic Chemist Shop in Lahore, as a lower-division clerk with the Government of India in New Delhi and then as an Assistant Librarian in Khalsa School, New Delhi.
  • Singh completed his higher education without going to college, he had two degrees in English and Hindi Literature, both from the University of Delhi. His thesis discussed Hindi poetry in the Gurumukhi script.
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  • He started his academic career as an English teacher before switching to Hindi and then to Punajbi. He worked at the University of Delhi as Professor Emeritus until he retired in 1984. He was a visited and gave lectures at many prestigious universities and institutions including the Indian Institute of Technology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab University[disambiguation needed], Jammu University and Gwahauti University.
  • He was invited to join the Department of Modern Indian Languages by a Board of Experts (a board of anthropologists and linguists), including Professor Pritam Singh, who Singh supported greatly until his death.
  • Abhiti V on 10 Mar 11
     
    Inspirational poet-grew up poor but made it to top
Abhiti V

Monty Panesar Interveiw - 1 views

www.timesonline.co.uk/...article601153.ece

society Celebrities

shared by Abhiti V on 05 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • He has stayed a vegetarian and kept his hair and beard long in modern Britain when he could easily have had them trimmed. He’s said, ‘I want to stay who I am and be true to my religion’.”
  • I never even thought about being the first Sikh to play for England, I just wanted to play for England.
  • I’m not the first British Asian to play cricket. Nasser Hussain has captained England and achieved far more than I have. But if there are youngsters out there who are inspired by what I do, then that’s only good for them and cricket.”
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  • I follow Sikhism, and maybe I’ve channelled the discipline that religion creates into my cricket. There’s discipline with any religion, and you can take it into a game or into anything else.
  • “Religion has helped me, as did Kepler Wessels (the former Northants coach) last year.
  • unruly beard
  • People may have been looking at guys in the street with beards and feeling negative about them. Monty makes them feel good.”
    • Abhiti V
      Abhiti V on 05 Mar 11
       
      Nasser Hussain: Islamic-Indian-English former captain of the English cricket team
  • Abhiti V on 05 Mar 11
     
    Religious and athletic interview with Monty Panesar
Esha G

Sikh Prime Minister Effecting the Economy - 0 views

en.wikipedia.org/...Manmohan_Singh

shared by Esha G on 01 Mar 11 - Cached
  • He is the first Sikh to hold the office.
  • Singh previously carried out economic reforms in India in 1991, during his tenure as the Finance Minister, under the leadership of P. V. Narasimha Rao, from 1991 to 1996. These reforms resulted in the end of the Licence Raj system, helping to open the Indian economy to greater international trade and investment.[2]
  • Newsweek magazine recognized him as a world leader who is respected by other heads of state, describing him as "the leader other leaders love."
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  • Dr. Singh is "the model of what a political leader should be."[3] Singh is number 18 on the 2010 Forbes list of the world's most powerful people.[4]
  • Singh is now a strong supporter of globalization, seeing India's immense labor capacity as a path to delivering Indian goods in a worldwide market and eventually relieving large-scale poverty.[20]
Tan V

Sikhism at a glance, Sikhism, Sikhs, Sikh History, Sikh Culture - 0 views

aboutsikhism.org/Sikhism%20at%20a%20glance.html

History

shared by Tan V on 04 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1538) in the 15th Century and he received a vision to preach the way to enlightenment and God. He taught a strict monotheism, the brotherhood of humanity
  • Sikhs think religion should be practiced by living in the world and coping with life's everyday problems. The most important thing in Sikhism is the internal religious state of the individual.
  • Sikhism stresses the importance of doing good actions rather than merely carrying out rituals Sikhs believe that the way to lead a good life is to: keep God in heart and mind at all times Live honestly and work hard Treat everyone equally Be generous to the less fortunate Serve others
Ameera Patheria

Great Sikh Women | Gateway to Sikhism - 0 views

www.allaboutsikhs.com/...great-sikh-women.html

Society

shared by Ameera Patheria on 06 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad? From her, kings are born. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all
  • words that were uttered by the founder of Sikhism, Sri Guru Nanak Dev in about 149
  • treat women as equals and gender discrimination was not allowed. However, high principles set by prophets and religious leaders have always been very difficult to implemen
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  • equality for women has been a difficult class actually achieve in reality.
  • Sikh Women always have been, and always will be, the backbone of the Khalsa Panth
  • Their selflessness lies second to none in the world.
  • Godly qualities in their lifetime
Esha G

All About Sikhs - 0 views

www.allaboutsikhs.com

shared by Esha G on 01 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Over twenty million Sikhs follow a revealed, distinct, and unique religion born five centuries ago in the Punjab region of northern India. Between 1469 and 1708, ten Gurus preached a simple message of truth, devotion to God, and universal equality
  • While the Sikhs hold their Gurus in high reverence, they are not to be worshipped; Sikhs may only worship God.
  • homeland, Punjab;
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • Over twenty million Sikhs follow a revealed, distinct, and unique religion born five centuries ago in the Punjab region of northern India. Between 1469 and 1708, ten Gurus preached a simple message of truth, devotion to God, and universal equality
  • be worshipped; Sikhs may only worship God.
  • omeland, Punjab;
  • The hard-working nature of the Sikhs is derived from their religion, which can be best characterized as a fait
  • h of unlimited optimism. Read More
  • 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.
Josh T

What do you do for a Living? | SikhNet - 0 views

www.sikhnet.com/...what-do-you-do-living

Jobs

shared by Josh T on 03 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • If we only allow our kids to pursue normal mainstream jobs, then who is going to do this much-needed work?
  • Will we donate to Sikh organizations instead of funding the older political structures? I’m not saying you shouldn’t give money to your Gurdwara and community, but think about how that money is serving the community and the growth of awareness of Sikhi and the actual impact that it is having as a result
Esha G

Sikh Culture and Their Gurus - 0 views

adaniel.tripod.com/sikhism.htm

shared by Esha G on 01 Mar 11 - Cached
  • Even so, the Sikhs, because of their unique appearance sometimes stand for India.
  • A Sikh place of worship is called Gurdwara. Sikhism does not support pilgrimage to holy sites because according to Sikhism, God is everywhere and not in any certain place. But Sikhism has a few important sites, of which, the Hari Mandir, also known as the 'Golden Temple' in Amritsar in Punjab is the most important site and is considered the holiest shrine of Sikhism.
  • Guru Nanak who established Sikhism was its first Guru. After him there were nine more Gurus who were the highest religious authority. The last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, proclaimed that after him the Guru of the Sikhs would be the holy book of Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib.
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  • The five signs were, uncut hair; comb; sword or dagger; bracelet on the right wrist and shorts. The religious Sikhs dress according to Guru Gobind Singh's order, carrying a sword. Most of the Sikhs even today have uncut hair and gather it in a turban.
Jasjit Williams-Singh

The Sikh Ceremonies | Gateway to Sikhism - 2 views

www.allaboutsikhs.com/...the-sikh-ceremonies.html

culture

shared by Jasjit Williams-Singh on 01 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Sikh ceremonies like birth, baptism, marriage and death are simple, inexpensive and have a religious tone
  • The baptism ceremony called Amrit , is the most important of all Sikh ceremonies.
  • Ceremony means observance of formalities on some solemn occasion or performance of religious rites
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  • The Sikhs call the ceremony as “Samagam.”
  • the ceremonies are useless if the dirt of ego is not cleansed from the hearts
  • ceremony is thanks giving act and there is always an aim to pray to God for His Grace
  • Burnt be those rites and formalities, that make me forget my Beloved.
  • Some people think that God can be attained by performing ritualism and rites
  • The Sikh ceremonies mark the solemnity of religious occasions
  • Sikhism is against blind rituals, ceremonies , customs or traditions
  • After performance of the ceremonies, Karah Parsad and Guru Ka Langar is served.
  • Sikhs have disciplinary outfit in the form of Amrit ceremony
  • “As is God, so is the Guru and as is the Guru, so must be the follower”
  • It is so simple a religion that it believes in praying and chanting the praises of God in a simple way.
Josh T

Interesting Facts - 1 views

www.infoaboutsikhs.com/faqs.htm

Facts

shared by Josh T on 01 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Sikhs have lived in America for over 100 years People who wear turbans in the US are Sikhs 26 million Sikhs worldwide Sikhs are living in America since 1897 Early Sikhs built railroads, and worked in lumber mills and on farms 83,000 Sikh soldiers died during 2 World wars One million Sikhs live in North America, including 15,000 in the Greater Sacramento area 7 Sikh Temples in Capital area First US Sikh Temple in Stockton, 1912
  • World's 5th largest religion 26 million followers worldwide Over 500 years old Originated in India Sikhism is a distinct religion, having no links with Hinduism or Islam
  • Sikhs believe in: •Freedom of speech, religion •Justice and liberty for all •Defending civil liberties and protecting the defenseless •Tolerance and absolute equality of all people without regard  to gender, race, caste, or religion •One God common to all •Equal right for women
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  • Sikhs DO NOT Believe In: •Sikhs do not believe in terrorism or hurting innocent people •Sikhs do not believe in hate or racial profiling •Sikhs do not believe in war based on religion •Sikhs do not believe in proselytism •Sikhs do not believe in fasting
Esha G

Culture and Principles of Sikhism - 0 views

www.sgpc.net/sikhism2.asp

shared by Esha G on 01 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Main Principles. The word 'Sikh' means a disciple. So Sikhism is essentially the path of discipleship.
  • i) Faith in God. ii) Following Truth. iii) Unattachment and desirelessness. iv) Control over throught, word and deed. v) Association with holy men(Satsang) vi) Humanity and submission to Hukam.
  • Salvation/Mukti: The Guru says, "The man of God rejects salvation. He wants only love of God and nothing else. The joys of heaven are nothing as compared to the merging in the Divine Spirit. The ultimate goal of man is union with God. Man does not become God, only the spark merges in the fire. This is called self-identification." A man may have done many noble deeds but if he has not undertaken meditation on God, he cannot have any hope of Mukti. Guru Nanak Sahib says in Asa-di-Var: "That is true knowledge when the thruth is in the heart, when the dirt of falsehood vanishes and life is pure and clean. That is true living when one fixes one's love on truth and finds joy in the hearing of the Name."
Tan V

Sikhism Guide - Five Symbols - 0 views

www.sikhismguide.org/fiveks.shtml

Culture

shared by Tan V on 04 Mar 11 - Cached
  • Kesh Uncut hair, which is kept covered by a distinctive turban. Kesh are a traditional symbol of holiness in India, and the turban is a symbol of leadership.
  • Kirpan A ceremonial sword, symbolizing readiness to defend the defenseless, and defend one's faith against persecution. The kirpan is normally worn on a cloth belt called a gatra. The kirpan exemplifies the warrior character of a Sikh.
  • A wooden comb, symbolizing cleanliness and order. The kangha is used to keep the hair clean. As a Sikh combs their hair daily, he or she should also comb their mind with the Guru's wisdom.
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  • A steel bracelet, symbolizing strength and integrity.
Tan V

Sikhism: What kind of government does Sikhism promote? - 0 views

realsikhism.com/index.php

shared by Tan V on 07 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Q: What kind of government does Sikhism promote? A: Sikhism promotes democracy and the belief that the welfare of people is best secured by their elected representatives. The principle rule of the Khalsa includes electing 5 individuals as the head of the state. Only the unanimous decision agreed by all 5 individuals as the head of the state shall materialize. The reason is that a single head of the state such as one president can make mistakes and become convoluted in his judgment but unanimous decision by 5 heads of the state guarantees more accurate and ethical decision. This is a good example of true democracy. Sikhism also believes in contributing to the society. The gulf between the more fortunate and the less fortunate has to be bridged. The Guru established the Free Kitchen (Langar) which serves the purpose of breaking the caste system and feeding the poor. Sikhism does not believe in capitalism and promotes sharing your wealth with poor. No one should be left hungry or deprived of any necessity for living.
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