From Our Special Desk : Eastern Chronicle 24×7, The 15th November,2024.
This Year’s 15th November, today observe as Guru Parab, Guru Nanak jayanti.
Sikhism, also known as Sikh from Punjabi s , is an Indian religion and Indian Philosophy , that originated in Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent.
Around the end of 15th century CE, it is one of the most recently founded major religions among the largest in the world with about 25 -30 million adherent, known as Sikhs.
Sikhism developed from the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak (1469-1539) the faith’s frist Guru, and the nine Sikh Gurus who succeeded Him. The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708), named Guru Granth Sahib , which is the Central religious scripture in Sikhism, as his successor.This brought the line of human gurus to a close. Sikhs regard the Guru Granth Sahib as the 11th and eternally living Guru.
The core beliefs and practices of Sikhism, articulated in Guru Granth Sahib & other Sikh scriptures, include faith and meditation in the name of the Creator, the Devine unity and equality of all humankind engaging in selfless services to Others. Striving for justice for the benefit of prosperity of All and Honest conduct and livelihood. Following this standard, Sikhism rejects claims that any particular religious tradition has a monopoly on absolute truth. As a consequence, Sikhs do not actively proselytize, although voluntary converts are generally accepted. Sikhism emphasizes meditation and remembrance as a means to feel God’s presence, which can be expressed musically or internally.(meditation on God’s name). Sikhs are obligated to wear five K’s, #kesh: the uncut hair. #kara: a steel ring on hand. #kanga: a wooden comb, #kaccha: a cotton underwear, #kripan: a steel sword. And hair must dressed with a Turban. These physically distinguish Sikhs from non-sikhs.
The Religion developed and evolved in times of religious persecution, gaining converts from both Hinduism and islam. The Mughal Emperors of India tortured and executed two of the Sikhs Gurus, Guru Arjan Singh(1563-1605) and Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675), After they refused to convert into Islam. The persecution of the Sikhs triggered the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, as an order to protect the freedom of conscience and religion, with members expressing the qualities of a ‘ sant- sipahi ‘ or a ‘saint- Soldier’.
The famous Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India is the most prominent Shrine of among other shrines and holiest places.
