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Chapter 11 Sikhism
Learning Objectives
11.1 Describe the life and teachings of Guru Nanak.
11.3 Outline what happened to Sikhism in India after the death of Guru Gobind Singh.
11.5 Explain how the teachings of Sikhism are put into practice.
11.6 Discuss the tensions and challenges faced by Sikhism in India and the diaspora.
Chapter Overview
Guru Nanak
The succession of Gurus
Central beliefs
Sacred practices
Religion in Practice: Amrit Ceremony on Baisakhi
Sikhism today
Key Points
Introduction
A great teacher emerged from northern India in the fifteenth century. His name was
Guru Nanak and his followers were called Sikhs (disciples, students, seekers of
truth). He was succeeded by nine enlightened Gurus ending with Guru Gobind
Singh (1666 1708).
Sikhism is a vibrant religion and the fifth largest of all world religions. Its spiritual
essence is virtually unknown outside of India and in its diaspora (dispersed
communities).
In the past, scholars have characterized Sikh beliefs and practices as a Hindu offshoot
11.1 Guru Nanak
The founder of this tradition is Guru Nanak, who lived from 1469 1539 CE.
He was born in the Punjab, a region of northwestern India situated on the route
many outside invaders took into the Indian subcontinent.
The Punjab was home to both Muslims and Hindus.
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Nanak is said to have been of a contemplative nature from childhood; although he
married and worked as an accountant, he was most focused on spiritual practice.
At the age of thirty, he had a transformative experience after immersing himself in a
river for several days, only to reemerge unharmed and glowing. According to some
legends, he was taken to the presence of God and ordered to go back into the world
to redeem it from Kali Yuga (the darkest of ages).
Sikh legend reports that Nanak subsequently began traveling and teaching, arguing
that distinctions between Hindu and Muslim were unimportant.
His followers, known as Sikhs, contributed to a free community kitchen (called a
langar) that served food without recognizing caste distinctions. Guru Nanak
introduced social order based on equality, justice, and service in devotion to One
God.
Sikh legend reports that before Guru Nanak died, Hindu and Muslim followers
11.2 The succession of Gurus
There were nine gurus after Guru Nanak, all of whom were understood to transmit his
spiritual light.
Guru Nanak designated Guru Angad (1504 1552) as his spiritual successor. Angad
langar.
The Third and Fourth Gurus, Amar Das and Ram Das, developed organizational
structures for the growing Sikh Panth
the Sikh gurus as well as Hindu and Muslim saints.
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Guru Hargobind (1595 1644), the Sixth Guru, established a Sikh army to defend the
weak of all religions against tyranny. He carried two swords, one symbolizing
temporal power, the other spiritual power.
The Seventh Guru, Har Rai (1630 1661), was a pacifist who advocated service to
humanity.
1708), became the Tenth Guru.
o Sikh tradition reports that in 1699, he called his followers to a special assembly
and asked for five volunteers willing to offer their heads to protect religious
ideals.
o Each of the five was taken into a tent; as each one entered, Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh then established a new rite of initiation that involved using
amrit, water stirred with a double-edged sword to make the Sikhs heroes and mixed
with sugar to make them compassionate.
Guru Gobind Singh first initiated the Five Beloved Ones and then had them initiate
him.
o
Khalsa male initiates are to wear five symbols (known as the Five Ks because in
keep the hair tidy, a steel bracelet, drawstring underbreeches, and a sword.
o Women may adopt some of the five symbols but typically do not wear a turban.
o There are many interpretations of the significance of the Five Ks; especially
important is that the uniform symbols indicate a spirit of equality among Sikhs
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11.3
Sikhs gained political power during the early nineteenth century but were
conquered by the British in 1849.
Sikhs were prominently involved and made significant contributions in the
11.4 Central beliefs
same One who is worshiped by different names around the world. God is formless,
beyond time and space, the only truth, the only reality.
Mul Mantra (basic
sacred chant), which prefaces the Guru Granth Sahib, and JapJi (the first morning
prayers of Sikhs).
Sant-sipahis (saint-soldiers) are pledged to protect freedom of all religions.
Service is highly valued and especially practiced by the group of Sikhs known as
Seva Panthis.
11.5 Sacred practices
To be a true Sikh is to live a very disciplined life of surrender and devotion to
God.
o
o Those who dedicate themselves to a committed life of prayer and to abstinence
Sikh institutions include the langar, freely offered to all who come to the gurdwara
(building where the Guru Granth Sahib is enshrined and public worship takes
place).
The Sikh congregation is known as the sangat; there is no priestly class.
There is no caste separation in worship, although men and women usually sit
separately.
For special occasions, Sikhs may commission an Akhand Path, or continuous
reading of the entire text.
Some gurdwaras, including the Golden Temple in Amritsar, have traditionally
allowed only men to read publicly from the Guru Granth Sahib.
11.6 Sikhism today
played a leading role i
Sikh prime minister in 2004.
The Punjab remains the heart of Sikhism, although this region of the Indian
subcontinent was partitioned when the British left India in 1947.
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retribution, violent riots claimed the lives of thousands of Sikhs.
hands of both separatists and the police.
In 1998, factions of Canadian gurdwara had a bloody fight over the issue of using
chairs and tables in the langar rather than sitting in rows on the ground.
Occasionally, self-
tradition of sitting on a takht (throne) in Amritsar opposite the Golden Temple and
issuing hukamnamahs (edicts) to Sikhs.
o The Akal Takht (Eternal Throne) remains the highest seat of both worldly and
spiritual authority for the Sikhs.
The Delhi Gurdwara Act of 1971 made the definition of Sikh more restrictive.
has been a reevaluation of the Dasam Granth
writings.
Conflicts have arisen over calendar dates for Sikh holidays.
Several millions have emigrated from India and other countries for the sake of
economic progress. In diaspora, many Sikhs have attempted to resist assimilation to
the surrounding cultures and raise their children according to tradition.
In an attempt to stop Islamic fundamentalism, some countries are implementing laws
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In August 2012, a man with ties to white supremacist groups killed six people and
wounded four others in a shooting at the gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
In the wake of religious intolerance, the Sikh community has found it necessary to
Key Terms
amrit janam-sakhis Nam
Dasam Granth JapJi Panth
Review Questions
1. Describe the central beliefs of the Sikhs and how they compare to those of other Indian
Discussion Questions
1. Discuss how Sikhism developed in, and responded to, the social, religious, and
Class Activities/Assignments
1. Ask students to investigate at least two websites about Sikhism and try to identify key
2. Ask students to find recent news reports about events related to Sikhism (e.g., the 2007
controversy about the gentleman who dressed as Guru Gobind Singh; hate crimes against
Sikhs in the United States; and debates about the role of women in Sikhism and the work
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Recommended Films
Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath, Sharat Raju and Valarie Kaur, 2006. 110
minutes. Balbir Sodhi, an American Sikh, was the first person killed in a hate crime after
September 11, 2001. This film explores the aftermath of the terrorist attacks and attitudes
about race, religion, and national security.
The Sikhs (Part 1), BBC, 1999. 60 minutes. Part of a documentary celebrating the
500th anniversary of the establishment of the Khalsa.
Additional Class Discussion/Essay Questions
1. Outline the life of Guru Nanak and explain some of his key teachings.
2. Explain how military power became a part of Sikh tradition during the time of the