Sikhism in India
Sikhism, the youngest of the world religions, is barely five
hundred years old. Its founder, Guru Nanak, was born in 1469.
Guru Nanak spread a simple message of "Ek Ong Kar": we are all
one, created by the One Creator of all Creation. This was at a
time when India was being torn apart by castes, sectarianism,
religious factions, and fanaticism. He aligned with no religion,
and respected all religions. He expressed the reality that there
is one God and many paths, and the Name of God is Truth, "Sat
Nam". World Religions . Guru Nanak's followers were Sikhs
(seekers of truth). He taught them to bow only before God, and to
link themselves to the Guru, the Light of Truth, who lives always
in direct consciousness of God, experiencing no separation.
Through words and example, the Guru demonstrates to followers how
to experience God within themselves, bringing them from darkness
into light.
Guru Nanak was a humble
bearer of this Light of Truth. He opposed superstition,
injustice, and hypocrisy and inspired seekers by singing divine
songs which touched the hearts of the most callous listeners.
These songs were recorded, and formed the beginnings of the
Sikhs' sacred writings, later to become the "Siri Guru Granth
Sahib".
The Making of the
Khalsa
Guru Gobind Singh was the
last Guru of the Sikhs in human form. He created the Khalsa, a
spiritual brotherhood and sisterhood devoted to purity of thought
and action. He gave the Khalsa a distinctive external form to
remind them of their commitment, and to help them maintain an
elevated state of consciousness. Every Sikh baptized as Khalsa
vows to wear the Five "K's":
Kesh
uncut hair and beard, as given by God, to sustain him or her
in higher consciousness; and a turban, the crown of
spirituality.
Kangha
a wooden comb to properly groom the hair as a symbol of
cleanliness.
Katchera
specially made cotton underwear as a reminder of the
commitment to purity.
Kara
a steel circle, worn on the wrist, signifying bondage to Truth
and freedom from every other entanglement.
Kirpan
the sword, with which the Khalsa is committed to righteously
defend the fine line of the Truth.
Khalsa also vows to refrain from any sexual relationships outside
of marriage, and to refrain from taking meat, tobacco, alcohol,
and all other intoxicants. Then Guru Gobind Singh infused his own
being into the Khalsa, declaring that the Khalsa was now the Guru
in all temporal matters. For spiritual matters, the Guruship was
given to the "Siri Guru Granth Sahib", a compilation of sacred
writings by those who have experienced Truth. For Sikhs, "Siri
Guru Granth Sahib" is the living embodiment of the Guru, and is
regarded with the utmost reverence and respect wherever it is
found. Sikhs all over the world took to the "Siri Guru Granth
Sahib" as their living Guru, as the source of spiritual
instruction and guidance.
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