In this essay, I will be explaining the main beliefs
and practices of Sikhism. I have used various sources of information
that I have listed at the end of my coursework.
The main beliefs and practices I will be explaining are as follows:
* Nam Simran
* Equality of birth and gender
* Seva
* Khalsa
Firstly, I will be explaining 'Nam Simran'. Nam Simran means
meditation on Gods name. During his time, Guru Nanak, the first Guru,
taught people to mediate on Nam. The word 'Nam' is a Punjabi word for
name, however Sikhs refer to God as 'Nam'.
There are many ways in which a Sikh can practice Nam Simran. For
example:
* Reading or listening to the scriptures of the Guru Granth Sahib;
* Saying or listening to the daily prayers;
* Kirtan;
* Reciting God's name, 'Waheguru'
The Guru Granth Sahib is the Sikh holy book which contains Gods word,
Gurbani. It was written and complied by the Sikh Gurus in their own
lifetimes and is now the living Guru of all time.
Reading, saying or listening to the daily prayers are another form of
Nam Simran. Nitnem is the daily prayers which Sikhs are expected to
read everyday. The morning daily prayers are different prayers read
one after another. These are as follows: 'Japji Sahib', 'Jaap Sahib',
'Shabad Hazare'/'Swaayea', 'Chaupi Sahib' and 'Anand Sahib'.
The evening prayers are as follows:
'Rehraas' and 'Kirtan Sohala', a prayer read before going to sleep.
Other prayers such as 'Sukhmani Sahib', 'Asa Di Vaar' or 'Akhand
Paaths' are also read as part of practising Nam Simran.
Kirtan is the devotional singing of the compositions found in the Guru
Granth Sahib. Kirtan is an important way of a Sikh's practice of Nam
Simran. Participating in Kirtan, whether its by singing, playing or
listening, Sikhs believe that Kirtan helps members of the
congregation, Sangat, to become less self centred, Manmukh, and more
www.sikhs.org- Details this Indian philosophy's teachings, emblems and ceremonies and festivals. Includes translated scriptures and contemporary articles.
‘What bliss will fill the ransomed souls, when they in glory dwell, to see the sinner as he rolls, in quenchless flames of hell’? (Isaac Watts). In the bible of Puritan times, the subject of hell was unavoidable. Sin and hellfire were also the dark and twisting theme for many writers back in the Puritan age of witches and the urgency for sin redemption for cross over from life to death.
Meditation is an age-old practice that has renewed itself in many different cultures and times. Despite its age, however, there remains a mystery and some ambiguity as to what it is, or even how one performs it. The practice and tradition of meditation dates back thousands of years having appeared in many eastern traditions. Meditation’s ancient roots cloud its origins from being attributed to a sole inventor or religion, though Bon, Hindu, Shinto, Dao, and later, Buddhism are responsible for its development. Its practice has permeated almost all major world religions, but under different names. It has become a practice without borders, influencing millions with its tranquil and healing effects.
The spirit of Gurbani couplet, "The one Lord is the Father of all and we are the children of the one Lord rules supreme in every Sikh heart." Charles Hugal, writes in his book, "Travels in Kashmir and Punjab", that, "probably no person in the world could have established such a large empire with minimum bloodshed as Ranjit Singh has established his kingdom."
Islam is a very practical and comprehensive religion that teaches the individual to think and reflect by observing the world around him. Islam, being a monotheistic religion, proclaims that there is only one God and he has no partners. Muslims worship Allah in all their thoughts and actions. The message of Islam was appealing due to the fact that it allowed Jews, Christians, and other religions entities to worship freely without fear of retribution or forced conversion. In fact, up to about 100 years after Muhammad the Prophet died, conversion to Islam was frowned and was reserved for Arabs only. Islam learned how to manage and flourish as an economic and social power. The establishment of caravan routes and shipping lanes were used as arteries of intellectual and economic exchange throughout the dar al-Islam, or “House of Islam”.1(Daily Life in the Medieval Islamic World Loc 1891) At the heart of this unprecedented rise to success, in its expansiveness and pace, is Muhammad. A calculated, tactical, and forgiving man believed to be the conduit to God, a God that he preached was the one and only. During the time of Muhammad both Persia and Byzantium were in a decline due to a series of debilitating wars with one another.(MAPOOT loc 298) Now, while I will not go into depth about this topic, as it would deserve focus on those particular dynasties, it is certainly crucial to state. It was the message of equality, cohesion, and harmony that Muhammad brought to Arabia, through God, along with trade and business practices, which allowed Islam to shape and mold its message and its influences across vast time and place.
Religion is big part of human life. Every area of the world has some kind of religion or belief system. Religion is defined as “a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices” (“Religion” Def.2). With such a large amount of religions today, religion is widely variegated, usually with divisions in each one. Despite the large amount of religions, I will only be covering only three religions: Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.
Asani, Ali. “In Praise of Muhammad: Sindhi and Urdu Poems.” Religions of India in Practice. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1995.
The religion of Islam dates back to the 7th century CE and the life of its founder, Muhammad of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. Islam is an Arabic word meaning: making something safe and secure, making something sound and whole, entering into peace and tranquility, and surrendering to something other than oneself. A follower of Islam is called a Muslim. In the religion of Islam, it requires the belief in certain core tenets, which include the articles of faith and the five pillars of worship. These two combined, form the Islamic creed.
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion with countless Gods and Deities, that is now the third most followed religion in the world, after Christianity and Islam. The word “hindu” originated from the Sanskrit word “Sindhu” which is a historical name of the longest river in Asia, northwest of India. Hinduism is unique, the only religion without a founder, no one scripture, and it is without a specific set of rules and expectations. It is often described as being a way of life, unlike other religions, and is said to be an assortment of different religious, philosophical ideas, and cultural practices that began in India. While it doesn’t have specific teachings, it does have sacred texts, the Sanatana Dharma, otherwise known as “The Eternal Teaching”.
When Sikhs speak of the Guru they are referring to God, the Great Teacher. God, the unknowable, becomes the teacher who reveals God to those who follow. God created everything, so all life is good, but attachment to material things leads to reincarnation and the sufferings of birth and death. The goal of Sikhism is to end the cycle of rebirth and be united with God.
Indigenous religions exist in every climate around the world and exhibit a wide range of differences in their stories, language, customs, and views of the afterlife. Within indigenous communities, religion, social behavior, art, and music are so intertwined that their religion is a significant part of their culture and virtually inseparable from it. These religions originally developed and thrived in isolation from one another and are some of the earliest examples of religious practice and belief. The modern world; however, has taken its toll on these groups and many of their stories, customs, and beliefs have been lost to, or replaced by, those brought in as a result of popular culture and the missionary work of Christians and Muslims.
The worship of Allah is principal in a Muslim’s mind at all time. There are also five formal acts of worship which help strengthen a the faith and obedience of a Muslim. They are frequently called the “Five Pillars of Islam”. The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework and guidelines of the Muslim life. They are the testimony of faith, prayer, supporting the needy, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the once in a lifetime trip to Makkah for those who are able to do so. These Five Pillars are the thing Muslim’s do to please God and to keep themselves well and happy in this lifetime and for the future ones to come. It was Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, who was reported to have said, “Islam is based upon five pillars”.
"Buddhism's Core Beliefs." ReligiousTolerance.org by the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
The Mantras are very spiritual things used by the ancient in Asia, now a days this form of meditation has expanded and everyone has access to it. A Mantra can improve your life style by teaching you the art of meditation, by bringing peace to your soul and by helping you control difficult situations.
McLeod, H. (2008). The Five Ks of the Khalsa Sikhs. Journal of the American Oriental Society, 128.2 : 325-331.