View source for Sikhism

[[File:SikhiKhanda.png|thumb|[[All]] [[impurity]] comes from [[doubt]] and [[attachment]] to [[duality]]. [[Birth]] and [[death]] are subject to the [[Command]] of the [[Lord]]'s Will; through His Will we come and go. ~ [[Guru Nanak]] ]] 
'''[[w:Sikhism|Sikhism]]''' (/ˈsiːkɨzəm/ or /ˈsɪkɨzəm/; Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖੀ, ''sikkhī'', IPA: [ˈsɪkːʰiː];Hindi: सिखी)  religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, by [[Guru Nanak]], which continued to develop through the ten successive Sikh gurus, the eleventh and last guru being the holy scripture ''[[Guru Granth Sahib]]'', a collection of the Sikh Gurus' writings. It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world, with approximately 30 million adherents.

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== Quotes ==
[[File:Sikh.man.at.the.Golden.Temple.jpg|thumb|If you can't [[see]] [[God]] in [[All]], You can't see God at All. ~ [[Harbhajan Singh Yogi]] ]]
[[File:Sikh pilgrim at the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar, India.jpg|thumb|right|Sikhism starts with [[plurality]] of [[objects]] and [[ends]] in [[monism]]. It evolves a [[comprehensive]] [[metaphysical]] [[system]] of absolute dynamic non-dualist view of the [[Reality]]. ~ Nirbhai Singh]]

===A===

* '''The mouth is not satisfied by speaking, and the ears are not satisfied by hearing.''' The eyes are not satisfied by seeing-each organ seeks out one sensory quality. The hunger of the hungry is not appeased; by mere words, hunger is not relieved.''' O Nanak, hunger is relieved only when one utters the Glorious Praises of the Praiseworthy Lord. '''
** [[Guru Angad Dev]], in ''[[Guru Granth Sahib]]''

===G===

* '''Nanak's religion consisted in the love of God, love of man and love of godly living. His religion was above the limits of caste, creed and country.''' He gave his love to all, [[Hindus]], [[Muslims]], Indians and foreigners alike. His religion was a people's movement based on modern conceptions of secularism and socialism, a common brotherhood of all human beings. Like [[Rousseau]], Nanak felt 250 years earlier that it was the common people who made up the human race. They had always toiled and tussled for princes, priests and politicians. What did not concern the common people was hardly worth considering. Nanak's work to begin with assumed the form of an agrarian movement. His teachings were purely in [[w:Punjabi language|Punjabi language]] mostly spoken by cultivators. He appealed to the downtrodden and the oppressed peasants and petty traders as they were ground down between the two mill stones of Government tyranny and the new Muslims' brutality. Nanak's faith was simple and sublime. It was the life lived. His religion was not a system of philosophy like [[Hinduism]]. It was a discipline, a way of life, a force, which connected one [[w:Sikh|Sikh]] with another as well as with the Guru.
** [http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak1.html Dr. H. R. Gupta, in "Guru Nanak Dev ji (1469 - 1539)"]

[[File:GuruGobindSinghJiGurdwaraBhaiThanSingh.jpg|thumb|right|...[[w:Guru Gobind Singh|Guru Gobind Singh]], the last Guru of the Sikhs, as a ‘creative [[genius]]’ ...]]

===M===
*Sikhism for instance, though it emerged as a separate religion from Hinduism, was approved of by [[Vivekananda]]. He admired the Sikhs for rising up against Islamic power and religion in [[India]]. His description of [[w:Guru Gobind Singh|Guru Gobind Singh]], the last Guru of the Sikhs, as a ‘creative [[genius]]’ centered around the latter’s religio-political exploits against the [[w:Mughal Empire|Mughal Empire]].
**Amalendu Misra in: ''[http://books.google.co.in/books?id=MKlEXIVxwj4C&pg=PA37 Identity and Religion: Foundations of Anti-Islamism in India],'' SAGE, 30 August 2004, p. 37

===N===

* The impurity of the mind is greed, and the impurity of the tongue is falsehood. The impurity of the eyes is to gaze upon the beauty of another man's wife, and his wealth. The impurity of the ears is to listen to the slander of others. O Nanak, the mortal's soul goes, bound and gagged to the city of Death. '''All impurity comes from doubt and attachment to duality. Birth and death are subject to the Command of the Lord's Will; through His Will we come and go.'''
** Guru [[Nanak]], in [[w:Asa di Var|Asa di Var]]

* Make [[compassion]] the cotton, [[contentment]] the thread, [[modesty]] the knot and [[truth]] the twist. <br /> This is the sacred thread of the [[soul]]; if you have it, then go ahead and put it on me.
** Guru [[Nanak]], in ''Raag Aasaa'' 471:5383-4

===S===
* '''Over 500 years ago in sub continental India arose Sikhism one of the five major world religions as a unique renaissance and resurgence of the human spirit.''' The spirit of man, realizing afresh its kinship, its integral bond, with the spirit Divine, liberated itself out of the obsolescent, dogma encrusted existence and came into its own efflorescent, as a dynamic force, a creative impulse. The ''élan vital'' of Sikhism had great potential for ushering in a new civilization qualitatively different from the earlier Indic and Hindu civilizations, thereby raising humanity to a new level of cultural and civilization progress. In its universal dimension Sikhism introduced a new concept of man, of society and state and in its historical dimension; this religion awakened medieval Indian society out of its collective amnesia, its inertia, and shook it out of its bondage to the dead past.
** Arvinder Singh, in  [http://sikhinstitute.org/july_2012/3-arvinder.html Guru Nanak's Ecumenical Religion (Sikhism)]

* In Sikhism epistemological idealism also leads to metaphysical idealism. Sikhism starts with plurality of objects and ends in monism.''' It evolves a comprehensive metaphysical system of absolute dynamic non-dualist view of the Reality.
** Nirbhai Singh, in [http://books.google.com/books?id=yIMYO-7NurwC&pg=PA2 ''Philosophy of Sikhism : Reality and Its Manifestations'' (1990), p. 2] 

* '''In the context of Sikhism it [Metaphysical monism] considers [[atman]] (spiritual element) and body (material element) as inseparable aspects of a single spiritual cosmic spiritual continuum.''' 
** Nirbhai Singh, in ''Philosophy of Sikhism : Reality and Its Manifestations'' (1990), p. 2

*'''Sikhism lays more emphasis on dynamism, non-dualism and social involvement.''' All these characteristics of the spiritual Reality imply that Sikhism puts forth a dynamic metaphysical system. In this dynamic concrete system the differences or modifications are not negated. There is another way to explain the nature of non-dual Reality in terms of them personal and personal unities.
** Nirbhai Singh, in ''Philosophy of Sikhism : Reality and Its Manifestations'' (1990), p. 3

*To wean the followers away from [[Hindu]] system of incantations, Sikhism advised them to use '[[w:Waheguru|Waheguru]]' as the only [[w:Incantation|incantation]]. 'Waheguru' is the only incantation repeating which one sheds one’s ego.
**H. S. Singha in: ''[http://books.google.co.in/books?id=gqIbJz7vMn0C&pg=PA104 The Encyclopedia of Sikhism (over 1000 Entries)],'' Hemkunt Press, 2000, p. 104

*Sikhism does not subscribe to the [[theory]] of [[w:Incarnation|incarnation]] or to the concept of prophet hood. But it has the pivotal concept of [[Guru]]. He is not the incarnation of [[God]], not even a [[w:Prophet|prophet]]. He is an illuminated [[soul]] – a [spiritual]] torch with the ''jyoti'' (light) that [[w:Illuminationism|illuminates]] the  path to the Lord. [[God]] is timeless, formless, beyond [[life]] and [[death]]. The Guru, though human in form is godly in [[spirit]] and is thus a spiritual [[w:Preceptor|preceptor]] of [[humanity]]. 
**H. S. Singha in: "The Encyclopedia of Sikhism (over 1000 Entries)", p. 104

*Sikhism has expressed itself clearly and forcefully against the use of all [[w:Intoxicants|intoxicants]]. It is laid down the Code of Conduct for Sikhs that: Sikhs should not partake of [[alcohol]], [[tobacco]], [[drugs]] and other intoxicants.  
**H. S. Singha in: "The Encyclopedia of Sikhism (over 1000 Entries)", p. 104

* '''If you can't see God in All, You can't see God at All.'''
** [[Harbhajan Singh Yogi]], as quoted in ''Kundalini Yoga : The Flow of Eternal Power‎'' (1998) by Shakti Pawha Kaur Khalsa; also in ''Education as Transformation : Religious Pluralism, Spirituality, and a New Vision for Higher Education in America'' (2000) by Victor H. Kazanjian and Peter L. Laurence

===Z ===
*Over 90 percent of the [[world]]s [[Sikh]]s live in [[India]]; of those, a large majority are concentrated in the northern Indian state of [[w:Punjab|Punjab]]. [[Canada]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]] host growing Sikh minorities of several hundred thousand people each. In several isolated incidents after [[September 11 attacks|9/11]], turban-wearing Sikh men in [[Britain]] and the United States were mistaken for [[Muslims]] and attacked.
**Qassem Zein in: ''[http://archive.is/20120526191903/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2007/05/13/the_list_the_worlds_fastest_growing_religions The List: The World's Fastest-Growing Religions]'', Foreign Policy, 14 May 2007

===Sikhism===
[[File:Sikh_Gurus_with_Bhai_Bala_and_Bhai_Mardana.jpg|right|thumb|The ten Sikh Gurus - Sikhism is primarily a Punjabi tradition that originated and developed under the leadership of the ten human gurus.LIke most Indic traditions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, the Sikh tradition is a guru-sikh (teacher –disciple)-oriented movement in which the relationship between a guru and his/her disciple is considered sacred.]] 
[[File:Langar.jpg|right|thumb| [[w:Langar (Sikhism)|Langar]].]]
[[File:Sri_Guru_Granth_Sahib_Nishan.jpg|right|thumb|The process of evolution and development of the [[w:Adi Granth|Adi Granth]] is closely linked with the emergence and maturity of the Sikh tradition. The name Adi Granth provides deep insight into the central teachings of Sikhism....The followers of Sikh tradition are popularly known as Sikhs.]]
<small>Sewa Singh Kalsi [http://books.google.co.in/books?id=YOI1nB_zTyAC&printsec=frontcover Sikhism], Infobase Publishing, 1 January 2009</small>
*What is Sikhism? The term Sikhism has two components: “[[Sikh]]” and “[[w:-ism|ism]]”. The word sikh is the Punjabi form of  the [[w:Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] word [[w:Guru-shishya traditionShishya]], which means a “Student”, a learner, or a disciple, while “ism” is a [[w:Greek language|Greek]] suffix that was added to the word “Sikh” around  1830 by the [[w:British raj|British administrators]] who ruled India to denote the Sikh tradition. 
**In: P.3

*Sikhism is primarily a Punjabi tradition that originated and developed under the leadership of the ten human gurus.LIke most Indic traditions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, the Sikh tradition is a guru-sikh (teacher –disciple)-oriented movement in which the relationship between a guru and his/her disciple is considered sacred. 
**In: P.3  

*[[Nanak|Guru Nanak]] intensely believed in the Oneness of [[God]]. His search for [[truth]] resulted in a [[divine]] calling at [[w:Sultanpur|Sultanpur]] where he made his historic declaration. “There is no [[Hindu]] and there is no [[Muslim]]”...he shared his understanding of divine truth with people who became his [[disciples]] who came to be known as ''Nanak-panthis'' (literally, followers of Nanak’s path or [[teachings]]) which became popular among the [[w:Punjabi people|Punjabis]].
**In: P.3  

*The Sikh movement has passed through many stages. In the first phase (1469-1606) Guru [[Nanak]] and his four successors established some of the fundamental institutions of Sikh tradition, that is, the institution of [[w:Sikh gurus|human guruship]], [[congregation]]al [[worship]], the [[w:Langar Sikhism)|langar]] (communal meal), [[compilation]] of the [[Adi Granth]] (Sikh scripture) and the Golden temple.
**In: P.3

*The second phase (1606 -1675) began with the martyrdom of the fifth Guru, [[w:Arjun Dev|Arjun Dev]]. He was succeeded by his son, [[w:Hargobind|Hargobind]] who adopted a rdical policy of ''miri-piri'' ([[temporal]] and [[spiritual]] [[authority]]) for the defense of the Sikh community...During his ministry, we came across the use of the corporate title of “Sikh” for the Gurus followers.
**In: p. 4-5
[[File:The_Panj_Pyare.jpg|right|thumb|...institution of the [[w:Panj Pyare|panj pyarey]](the five beloved ones);...]]
*The martyrdom of the ninth Guru, Teg Bahadur is the third phase. His successor Guru Gobind Singh who founded a radical institution called the Khalsa in 1699. He introduced some fundamental innovations: a) institution of the panj pyarey (the five beloved ones); b) new-style initiation  of [[w:Amrit Sanchar|amrit]] ([[water]] of [[immortality]]; and c) introduction of the title Singh for men and [[w:Kaur|Kaur]] for women. The distinction between [[w:Amritdhari|amritdhari]] (initiated) and non-amritdhari Sikhs occurred after the founding of the Khalsa in 1699. 
**In: P.5

*The process of [[evolution]] and development of the [[w:Adi Granth|Adi Granth]] is closely linked with the emergence and maturity of the Sikh tradition. The name Adi Granth provides deep insight into the central teachings of Sikhism....The followers of Sikh tradition are popularly known as Sikhs.
**In: p. 31

*In Sikhism, the diversity of God’s kingdom is perceived as a dynamic and positive force. ...Sikhism rejects the view that any particular religious tradition has a monopoly regarding “Absolute Truth”. Sikhism strongly rejects the practice of converting people to other religious traditions. 
**In: P.43

*God is every where. He has created us all. He who realizes this is true Hindu or a Muslim….Although threre are two paths, the Hindu and the Muslim … there is only one God. 
**Guru Nanak in: P.43

*In the Sikh teachings, God is conceived as being without any form or shape (Nirankar). Therefore no image or idol can represent God. The multilingual nature of Indian society made a valuable contribution toward the development of universalism in Sikhism....The central gurudwara of the Sikhs is called Harmandir (Golden Temple). According to Sikh teachings, all human beings  evolved  and developed their own modes of worship and religious traditions within the context of their social milieu. 
**In: P.43

===The Ultimate Sikhism Library===
<small> Guru Nanak [http://books.google.co.in/books?id=nfJ6AAAAQBAJ&pg=PT1970 The Ultimate Sikhism Library], Publish This, LLC, 22-Aug-2013, p. 970</small>
*He is not known through burnt offerings and [[ritual]] [[chanting]]; the True Lord is known through the Guru's Teachings.

*Without the ''Naam'', the Name of the Lord, no one finds shelter in the Court of the Lord, the false come and go in [[reincarnation]].

*When the [[mind]] is cleaned with the jewel of spiritual wisdom, it does not become dirty again.

*Oh! Lord of the [[Universe]], What is Your Name, and what is it like? If you summon me into the Mansion of Your Presence, I will ask you how can I become one with You.

*He alone is a [[w:Brahmin|Brahmin]] who takes his cleansing bath in the [[spiritual]] [[wisdom]] of [[God]], and whose leafy-offerings in [[worship]] are the Glorious Praises of the Lord.

*The One Name, the One Lord, and His One [[Light]] pervade the three [[Worlds]]. 
 
*Above is the [[sky]] of the [[mind]], and beyond this sky is the Lord, the Protector of the [[World]]; the Inaccessible Lord God; the Guru abides there as well.

*The word of the [[w:Shabad (hymn)|Shabad]] abides within, and doubt is ended, for those who constantly serve, [[day]] and [[night]].
 
*What is outside is the same as what is inside the home of the [[self]].

==Quotes from the Guru Granth Sahib==

*O [[mind]], you are so full of pride; loaded with pride you will depart from this [[world]]. [[Maya]] has fascinated you over and over, and lured you into [[reincarnation]]. You shall depart clinging to your pride, O foolish mind. In the end, you shall [[regret]] and [[repent]]. You are afflicted with the diseases of [[ego]] and [[desire]], and you are wasting your [[life]] in vain. The self-willed ''manmukh'' does not remember God. Thus he shall regret and repent hereafter. [[Nanak]] says: O mind, you are full of pride; loaded with pride, you will depart. O mind, don't be so proud of yourself, as if you know it all; A ''Gurmukh'' is humble and modest.{{citation needed}}

*[[Ignorance]] and [[ego]] is within the [[mind]]; through the True Word of the [[w:Shabad (hymn)|Shabad]], this filth is washed away. Be [[humble]] and surrender to the true [[Guru]]; do not attach your [[identity]] to your ego. The [[world]] is consumed by ego and [[arrogance]]; realize it, lest you will lose your own self as well. Make yourself follow the sweet will of the true Guru and remain attached to His Sweet Will. [[Nanak]] says: renounce your ego and self-conceit; obtain [[peace]] and let your mind [[abide]] in [[humility]].{{citation needed}}

*Blessed was the time when I met the true Guru and [[God]] came into my [[consciousness]]. I became very blissful because my mind and body found natural [[peace]].{{citation needed}}

*Renounce [[sex]]ual [[desire]], [[anger]], [[falsehood]] and [[slander]]; forsake [[maya]] and eliminate [[w:Egotistical|egotistical]] [[pride]]. Renounce [[lust]] and [[w:Promiscuity|promiscuity]], and give up [[emotion]]nal attachment. Only then shall you obtain the Immaculate Lord amidst the darkness of the [[world]]. Renounce selfishness, [[conceit]] and [[arrogant]] pride, and your [[love]] for your children and spouse. Abandon your thirsty hopes and desires, and embrace love for the Lord. O Nanak, the true one shall come to dwell in your [mind]]. Through the True Word of ''[[w:Shabad (hymn)|Shabad]]'', you shall be absorbed in the Name of Lord.
**[[Guru Granth Sahib]] in: ''[http://books.google.co.in/books?id=nfJ6AAAAQBAJ&pg=PT653 The Ultimate Sikhism Library]'', Publish This, LLC, 22-Aug-2013, p. 653

*Acting in [[w:Egotism|egotism]], [[w:Selfishness|selfishness]] and [[conceit]], the [[foolish]], [[ignorant]], faithless [[cynic]] wastes his [[life]]. He dies in [[agony]], like one dying of thirst; O [[Nanak]], this is because of the deeds he has done.
**[[Guru Granth Sahib]], in “The Ultimate Sikhism Library”, p. 841

* '''No one knows the state of the Lord. The Yogis, the celibates, the austere penitents, and all sorts of clever people have failed.''' Pause. In an instant, He changes the beggar into a king, and the king into a beggar. He fills what is empty, and empties what is full. Such are His ways. He Himself spread out the expanse of His Maya, and He Himself beholds it. He assumes so many forms, and plays so many games, and yet He remains distinct and detached from it all. '''Incalculable, infinite, incomprehensible and immaculate, He has misled the whole world. So give up all your doubts; prays Nanak, O mortal, focus your consciousness on His Feet.'''
** ''[[Guru Granth Sahib]]'', 538
 
* '''I am a sacrifice to the True Name. Your rule shall never end.''' Your rule is eternal and unchanging; it shall never come to an end. He alone becomes Your servant, who contemplates You in peaceful ease. Enemies and pain shall never touch him, and sin shall never come close to him. I am forever a sacrifice to the One Lord, and Your Name.
** ''[[Guru Granth Sahib]]'', 568 
 
* '''When the Giver of [[peace]] grants His [[Grace]], the mortal being meditates on the Lord, the [[Life]] of the [[Universe]].''' 
** ''[[Guru Granth Sahib]]'', 1260

*Like the mad dog running around in all directions, the [[greedy]] person, unaware, consumes everything, edible and non-edible alike. Engrossed in the [[intoxication]] of [[sex]]ual [[desire]] and [[anger]], people wander through [[reincarnation]] over and over again.
**[[Guru Granth Sahib]] in: Marilynn Hughes ''[http://books.google.co.in/books?id=BG-CBk4vyccC&pg=PA96 The Voice of the Prophets: Wisdom of the Ages, Volume 2 of 12],'' Lulu.com, 1 November 2005, p. 96

== External links ==
{{wikipedia}}
{{wiktionary}}
{{commonscat}}
* [https://nitnemsahib.com Nitnem Sahib]
* [http://sikhinstitute.org/index.htm Institute Of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh]
* [http://www.sikhmuseum.com SikhMuseum.com]
* [http://www.sikh-history.com Sikh History Web Portal]
* [http://www.sikhs.org Sikhs.org]
* [http://www.baani.net Sikh Devotional Music - Kirtan]
* [http://srigranth.org/ Srigranth.org]
* [http://www.sikh-heritage.co.uk/ Sikh-heritage.co.uk]

[[Category:Sikhism| ]]