Sikhism

1
Sikhism
2
Muslims and Hindus Clash

• Muslim conquest of northern India brought
  disaster to Hindus and Buddhists.
• Widespread destruction of Buddhist monasteries
  led to a decline in Buddhism.
• Many Hindus were killed in violent onslaughts.
• Muslim Turks and Afghans set up Sultanates (Lands
  controlled by Sultans).

3
Muslims and Hindus Clash

• Delhi was made the capital of the Sultanate.
• Trade between India and Muslim lands increased.
• Muslim migration to India increased.

• Muslim rule changed India government and society.
• Many Turks, Persians, and Arabs migrated to India
  to serve as soldiers and officials.

4
Hindu-Muslim Differences

• Hindu is and ancient religion, with many
  gods,and many sacred texts. Has a caste system
  with a separate priestly caste.
• Islam is a new religion, one sacred text, and
  monotheistic. Believed in equality of all people
  before god and no religious hierarchy

5
A Blending of Cultures

• Gradually Delhi Sultans became more tolerant of
  its Hindu subjects.
• More Hindus converted to Islam. (it rejected the
  caste system, offered government jobs, better
  trade network across Muslim lands.
• Indian Muslims absorbed parts of Hindu culture

6
New Religion is Formed
Guru Nanak founded Sikhism in the fifteenth
century in Punjab India. He preached the unity
of God, the brotherhood of man, the rejection of
caste, and the futility of idol worship. They
preached equality of people including gender
equality.
7
Who are the Sikhs?

• Sikh means student or disciple
• Guru means teacher or enlightener
• Sikhism was founded in 1469 by its first Guru,
  Guru Nanak
• 8th largest religion in the world
• Compiles .36
• 26 million Sikhs worldwide
• 20 million in Punjab, India (Sikh homeland)
• 1 million in North America
• 99 of the people wearing turbans in America are
  Sikhs

8
The Sikh Gurus

• 10 Living Gurus
• 1st- Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469 1539)
• 2nd-Guru Angad Dev Ji (1504 1552)
• 3rd- Guru Amar Das Ji (1479 1574)
• 4th- Guru Ram Das Ji (1534 1581)
• 5th- Guru Arjun Dev Ji (1563 1606)
• 6th- Guru Hargobind Ji (1595 1644)
• 7th- Guru Har Rai Ji (1630 1661)
• 8th- Guru Harkrishan Ji (1656 1664)
• 9th-Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621 1675)
• 10th- Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666 1708)
• Present Spiritual Guru
• Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (SGGS)

9
The Holy Book

• Sikhs are guided by the scripture, Sri Guru
  Granth Sahib, spiritual manifestation of the
  Gurus
• Compiled by 5th Guru Arjun and contains teachings
  of Gurus
• 1430 pages

10
Sects/Denominations

• Sikhism is one of the only religions that doesnt
  have denominations
• Guru Nanak Dev Ji created every Sikh equal
• No one is better/worse than another
• status/gender/age/race (ethnicity) doesnt matter

11
Religious Symbols

• Ek Onkar - Symbol translates as 'One True God
• Made up of two characters Punjabi character for
  the number 1' and the Punjabi letter 'Urha' for
  'Onkar' meaning 'God'

12
Religious Symbols(Continued)

• Khanda- Emblem of the Sikh nation
• Consists of two Kirpaans, a Khanda and one
  Chakkar (circle)
• Sikhs have adopted as an emblem of their royalty
  and nationality
• The two swords represent spiritual and temporal
  sovereignty of the Sikh nation
• Chakkar symbolizes wholeness of the universe
• Double-edged sword symbolizes initiation

13
Religious Symbols(Continued)

• The Nishan Sahib is the flag of the Sikh Nation
  and plays an important role in the community
• Saffron colored triangular shaped cloth with
  the Khanda usually in blue in the middle
• The Nishan Sahib gives the Sikh Nation unity and
  represents the path to salvation

14
Evolution of Identity

• Five articles of Faith mandatory for a baptized
  Sikh
• Kesh uncut hair
• Kanga Comb to keep hair groomed
• Kirpan sword for upholding dignity freedom
  from oppression
• Kara steel bangle symbolic of unbroken circle
  of truth
• Kachera modest under shorts to practice self
  control

15
Code of Conduct(Rehat Maryada)

• Rehat Maryada way of life for all Sikhs
• Communicated verbally by the 10th Guru Gobind in
  1699 at the Birth of the Khalsa event
• Outlines conduct during special ceremonies like
  birth, baptism, marriage death
• Prohibits observing Caste system Idol worship
• Prohibits consumption of Alcohol, Tobacco,
  Intoxicants

16
Punishment

• Sikh life, are no punishments for not following
  the rules of conduct
• You are the Sikh that you choose to be
• If you want to cut your hair, drink alcohol, use
  drugs, you may
• You know what you are doing is wrong according to
  the community
• The most that can happen is that you wont be
  looked upon well by the Sikh community

17
A Virtuous Life

• Monotheistic Faith Believing in One God
  (creator of all people and all faiths)
• Naam Japna Loving, remembrance, and devotion of
  God
• Kirat Karni - Lead a moral truthful life
  through hard work
• Vand ke Chakna - Contribute to social welfare
  selfless service to community
• Defend the rights of oppressed (not only Sikhs,
  but anyone whos oppressed)

Hard Work
18
Rewards of a Virtuous Life

• Looked upon as role model in Sikh community
• Youll be successful in life because of hard work
• Entire community benefits from charity aspects
• Ultimate goal is to be one with God

19
Sikh Rites of Passages

• Naming of Child - Naam Karan takes place in a
  Gurudwara in the presence of Guru Granth. The
  reader (Granthi) randomly opens up the Guru
  Granth and reads a verse on that page. The first
  letter of the first word of that verse is used to
  name the child
• Baptism - Amrit Sanskar initiation ceremony to
  the brotherhood of the Khalsa. No minimum age.
  This is a formal commitment to uphold the
  principles of its faith as prescribed by the
  Gurus
• Marriage Anand Karaj usually takes place in a
  Gurudwara in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib
  Ji. Spiritual Union with four rounds, symbolic of
  the stages of life
• Death Antim Sanskar death is considered a
  transient stage towards complete unity with God.
  Sikhs believe in re-incarnation. Cremation is
  the preferred disposal method. Ceremony consists
  of 2 parts Saskar cremation, and Ardas
  final prayer that marks the end of mourning

20
Sikh Place of Worship

• Gurudwara door to the Guru
• Holiest Shrine of Sikhs- Harminder Sahib/Golden
  Temple in Amritsar, India
• Everyone is welcome
• SGGS (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) is always present
• Services are held every day formal on Friday
  and Sundays
• Community Kitchen Langar (food made by
  community and served to all after every service)
• Located locally in Southington, CT

21
Sikhs in America

• 1890-1920
• First arrived in California, Oregon, and
  Washington
• Farming Lumber Industry
• Sikhs remove offensive image
• 1920s-1950
• Immigration barriers limit immigration
• Freedom struggle against British Imperialism
• Partition of Punjab between Pakistan and India
• 1950s-Present
• End of Immigration controls
• Many are professionals
• 1980s-1990s-refugees from 1984
• 2001-Present post 9/11 challenges

22
Recent Challenges for Sikhs 1984 Anti Sikh
Riots

• 1980s-1984 Fundamentalist Sikhs demand a Sikh
  homeland. Tensions rises between Hindus and
  Sikhs, Sikhs being discriminated
• March 1984 Gandhi moved army to surround Golden
  Temple to force out extremists who were fighting
  for Khalistan
• June 6th, 1984 Operation Bluestar - Storming of
  Golden Temple by the Indian Army about 1000
  people dead building severely damaged
• October 31, 1984 Indira Gandhi assassinated by
  two Sikh bodyguards
• November 1, 1984 Four days of rioting leaves
  5,000 Sikhs dead and 1,000 thousand missing
• Indian government was widely criticized for doing
  little to improve situation and potentially
  acting as a conspirator in the deliberate
  Genocide of Sikhs

23
2001- Post September 11th

• HATE CRIMES / BIAS INCIDENTS
• Misunderstood and Targeted because of their
  turbans and appearance
• First 3 months More than 300 incidents reported
  
• Vandalism, assault verbal/physical, fatalities
• Balbir Singh Sodhi first victim of Post 9/11
  Hate in Mesa, AZ
• His brother killed 9 months later in San
  Francisco, CA
• EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
• Sikhs fired for not removing turbans at work
  e.g. NYPD no turban policy
• Difficulties finding employment
• At Airports TSA (Transportation Security
  Authority) turban search, arrests after Kirpan
  was found on Sikhs (article of faith)
• Reinforcement of Stereotypes
• SCHOOL HARRASSMENT
• Significant increase in violent attacks and
  bullying of Sikh students
• In December 2003, French government recommended
  banning all conspicuous articles of faith in
  French public school including Sikh Turbans,
  Muslim Hijaabs, Jewish Skullcaps Christian
  Crosses