The sikhs have two holy books for their guidance and revelation of their underlying beliefs and principles as laid down by the ten gurus. The dasam granth, also known as the book of the tenth master is an eighteenthcentury collection of poems by gobind singh. He said that, from his time onwards, the holy book would be the living guru for. The bible is considered to be the word of god by both protestant christian groups and catholic groups. The poems are rendered in various ragas musical modes and are sung by sikh devotees as a mark of devotion and respect to the guru. Sikhism what is, history, founder, characteristics, beliefs. The title reflects the sikh belief that their holy book is now the sole guru for. The sikh religion began about 500 years ago in the punjab region of india. The sikhs fought against the great mughals between the 17th and 18th centuries and created their state in the punjab 1765 1849, india. Sikhs worship in the gurdwara by singing hymns and reading the guru granth sahib the only nonhuman guru.
Guru grant sahib the most sacred object in sikhism is the guru granth sahib also called the adi granth, the sikh holy book. But sikhism has a few important sites, of which, the hari mandir, also known as the golden temple in amritsar in punjab is the most important site and is considered the holiest shrine of sikhism. A good life is lived as part of a community, by living honestly and caring for others. Learn about and revise sikh key beliefs with bbc bitesize gcse religious. The first belief is that there is just one god, who is not only the creator, but also the bringer of death. It was founded by a man called guru nanak and is based on what he taught people. The book has a total of 1,430 pages and contains around 5,864 verses. Sikhism or sikhi is a monotheistic religion that originated in the punjab region of the indian. Holy place, nankana sahib, where the founder of the sikh religion, guru nanak dev was born. Jun 20, 2019 sikhism as a religious movement developed at the beginning of the 16th century in northwest india. Basic beliefs of sikhs sikhs have a lot of beliefs, but there are some basic beliefs that are fundamental to the followers of this religion. Sep 24, 2009 this article looks at sikh beliefs about god, karma, death and rebirth.
The holy book of the sikhs is known as guru granth sahib. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world. Be as specific as possible when identifying practices, beliefs, rituals, and historical elements. The sikh religion has various established beliefs and values that are inherent in the basic philosophy of the faith. The most important ritual object in sikhism is the guru granth sahib, the holy book. Historic gurdwaras generally connected to one of the ten human sikh gurus have become pilgrimage sites for sikhs. The sri gur granth sahib is the holy book for sikhs, as guru gobind singh teached us. There are over 25 million sikhs all over the world, although most still live in india. The dasam granth is a composition primarily of the tenth guru, guru gobind singh. Why do sikhs believe their holy book is important answers. These concepts of dharma, karma and moksha are key to hindu beliefs too. The religion developed and evolved in times of religious persecution. Oct 12, 2018 a gurdwara is any place where the sikh holy book, guru granth sahib, is installed, thereby making the site itself holy. However, god shows people through holy books, and by the.
The sikh scripture is a book called the guru granth sahib the tenth guru, guru gobind singh declared that there would be no other living gurus but instead sikhs could look to their holy scriptures for guidance, so the holy book became the guru teacher. Formed in the 15th century, sikhism is a monotheistic faith. The granthi also acts as caretaker for the guru granth sahib, keeping the guru granth sahib covered in clean cloths, known as rumala, to protect from heat and dust. God in sikhism is regarded as an allpervading spirit without gender or form, who is approached through dedicated meditation. Like the bible of christianity, the vedas of hinduism or the koran of islam, the guru granth sahib, also known as the adi granth, is the main scripture of sikhism.
Primary beliefs and principles sikhiwiki, free sikh. Sikhs believe in one god who guides and protects them. The fundamental principles of the sikh religion are also inscribed in the holy book of this religion, the guru granth sahib. Sikhism is a type of religion that had its origins in india and developed between the doctrines and teachings of hinduism and islam. The hymns included range from the omnipresence of nature and basic day to day lessons. The ten principle beliefs of the sikh religion learn religions. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Jan 20, 2017 the most important ritual object in sikhism is the guru granth sahib, the holy book. Supreme god in holy book guru granth sahib sikhism jagat. This book contains all the prayers and hymns that were chanted by all the sikh gurus. It has over 3000 hymns and instructions to lead a good sikh life.
Guru nanak, the first sikh guru and the founder of sikhism, was a bhakti saint. Sikhs believe that god is inside every person, no matter how wicked they appear, and so everyone is capable of change. This sacred text is divided into two main sections, the old testament and the new testament which are then further divided into various books. Jan 20, 2017 guru grant sahib the most sacred object in sikhism is the guru granth sahib also called the adi granth, the sikh holy book. The compositions of his successors are also contained in the book, as are. It contains the essential teachings and beliefs of sikhism and is considered to be very important. As the guru is considered a holy teacher, the book is shown reverence in sikh services.
Cunningham 18121851, the author of a history of the sikhs 1848, observed. The main holy book in sikhism is the guru granth sahib. The holy books of world religions sacred texts in world. Most of the worlds major religions sacred texts, and scriptures are believed to reveal supreme truth, the way to enlightenment, or the holy word of god. Indian religions but in sikhism has taken on an importance that forms the core of sikh beliefs. Sikhs believe in a single, formless god, with many names, who can be known through meditation. Aug 18, 2012 for buddhists the tripitaka, or three baskets are the primary teachings. A gurdwara is any place where the sikh holy book, guru granth sahib, is installed, thereby making the site itself holy. The mool mantra key beliefs in sikhism gcse religious studies. Sikhism advocates pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation upon the name and message of god. Originally, the religion relied on the teaching of living gurus.
After the death of the tenth guru, it was decided that the sikh holy book itself. What are the holy texts for buddhism hinduism and sikhism. The 11th sikh guru granth sahib is the everlasting guru. The guru granth sahib is a collection of teachings and writings by guru nanak and other gurus as well as sikh, hindu and muslim saints. Guru arjan, the fifth sikh guru highlights this point by saying in the sikh holy text called the guru granth sahib, there is only the one supreme lord god.
Sikhism as a religious movement developed at the beginning of the 16th century in northwest india. Sikhism does not support pilgrimage to holy sites because according to sikhism, god is everywhere and not in any certain place. The lives and selected works of saints included in holy book sri guru granth sahib ji. Historians and specialists in eastern religions generally believe that sikhism is a syncretistic religion, originally related to the bhakti movement within hinduism and the sufi branch of islam, to which many independent beliefs and practices were added some sikhs believe that their religion is a repurification of hinduism. Unlike the bible or the bhagavadgita, which are often carried around, dogeared and placed on a shelf with other books, there are strict rules and procedures for handling the adi granth. The sikh gurus teachers, contemporaries of luther and calvin, were reformers who rejected the caste system and much of the apparatus of hindu ritual and legalism. Guru ji, said the holy book will be the guru after him, no other human form guru will come. Composed of devotional hymns composed the gurus as well as hindu and muslim saints including those from the lower castes. Unlike the bible or the bhagavadgita, which are often carried around, dogeared and placed on a shelf with other books, there. Sikhism was founded in the 15th century by guru nanak, who broke away from hinduism, indias dominant religion.
It was compiled in the shape of a book granth by bhai mani singh some to 26 years after guru gobind singh ji left this world for his heavenly. A reader requests expansion of this book to include more material. Guru nanak devji was the first preacher of this faith followed by nine other sikh gurus, believed to be the messengers of god. Later, an important phase in the development of sikhism came with the third. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion, and the basic sikh belief is represented in the phrase ik onkar meaning one god. For example, the bible is the christian holy book and explains how the world was made, the history of the. The holy book of the sikh religion is the guru granth sahib. Sikhism was influenced by the bhakti movement, but it was not simply an extension of bhakti. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of god at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind, social justice and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Vaisakhi is celebrated on the first day of the basak month, in the sikh calendar gurus and religious authority.
The guru granth sahib is the sacred scripture of the sikhs, and its bedrock is the body of compositions of guru nanak. There is only one holy book in christianity and that is the bible, however, protestant christian denominations use a bible with 66 books, while catholics use a bible with 73 books. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Sikhism does contain many unique postulates and principles that are quite different from both hinduism and islam. It is a doctrine that believes in one god and in the teachings of his gurus which are kept in his sacred book. Sikhism was founded in the punjab region in india in the 15th century by guru nanak dev. Supreme god in holy book guru granth sahib sikhism. Sikhism began over 500 years ago in an area called the punjab in india. The followers are called sikhs, and their holy book is the guru granth sahib.
Sikhism was founded by guru nanak around 500 years ago in a place called the punjab. Vaisakhi is an important festival celebrated by sikhs. However, the sikh scripture is probably the only known holy book that advances this message of religious equality and offers advise for muslims to be better muslims and for hindus to be better hindus. Omkar venerated by hindus, buddhists and jains refers to the divine in sikhism. Sikhs believe that one can find god by activities that are done every day. The traditions and philosophy of sikhism were made by ten. This article looks at sikh beliefs about god, karma, death and rebirth. Basic beliefs of sikhs, what is the holy book of the sikhs. It has been usual to regard the sikhs as essentially hindu. Compared to other religions, sikhism is a religion of recent origin, founded in the 15th century ad by its founder sri guru nanak. The sikh religion is one of the youngest world religions and was founded more. Naam, the name of god, shabad the word of god and sat sang, the company of the pious and the holy. But sikhism has a few important sites, of which, the hari mandir, also known as the golden temple in amritsar in punjab is the most important site and is.
This is an area which spans part of india and pakistan in south asia today. Sikhism does not believe one holy book is more important than another, sikhs believe that people of different religions can attain salvation while following their own religion, sikhs place more emphasis on love of god rather than fear of god. Sikhism for ks1 and ks2 children sikhism faith homework. The guru granth sahib is taken care of by a granthi, who is responsible for reciting from the sacred hymns and leading sikh prayers.
The secret information about supreme god has been showcased via this article, and the information has been taken from the holy book, shri guru granth sahib sikhism. Popular sikhism books meet your next favorite book. Sikhism is a faith whose followers are called sikhs. This book contains the teachings of all gurus, and hass been identically printed since the first copy, containing the same amount of pages, same words, and same paper size to preserve it. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion, or a religion that believes in one god. For buddhists the tripitaka, or three baskets are the primary teachings. The sikh holy book, the guru granth sahib, teaches that there is one god, that men and. Though one of the worlds youngest religions, sikhism too has a holy book of scripture compiled from various hand written texts. Today, with about 900 million followers, hinduism is. The basic philosophy of sikhism revolves mainly around three concepts. He taught that the most important form of worship is bhakti devotion to bhagvan. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. The main teachings of the guru granth sahib is the love of humanity.
Sikhism is a unique faith which has aspects of islam. Sikhs follow god, who they call waheguru, and believe is the same god for all of mankind. A sikhs primary belief is in only one supreme god this sole god is the same for all the peoples of the universe. Sikhism is an independent religion that emerged in the environment of hinduism and islam. The book teaches that outward rituals and indulgence in the worldly pleasure only bring us pain. Sikhism is one of the worlds youngest religions being founded just over 500 years ago. Bani of bhagats by g s chauhanthe lives and selected works of saints included in holy book sri guru granth sahib ji. It was compiled in the shape of a book granth by bhai mani singh some to 26 years after guru gobind singh ji left this world for his heavenly abode. They explain the beliefs of the religion, give advice, and provide verses for reference. The ten principle beliefs of the sikh religion guide to the. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 gurus enshrined in the sikh holy book and living guru, sri guru granth sahib.
Sikhs believe that we should acknowledge one creator, and are against worshiping demigods or idols. The principal belief of sikhism is faith in waheguru, or the universal god. Despite being so young, it is the fifth largest religion in the world with over 20 million followers. The mool mantar, the first hymn composed by guru nanak, is recited daily by many sikhs. A key distinctive feature of sikhism is a nonanthropomorphic concept of god, to the extent that we can interpret god as the universe itself. Other important religious items include the chauri a a ritual whisk used with the scriptures, the five ks wearable items representing ones membership in the sikh community, and the nishan sahib the. The term guru comes from the sanskrit guru, which means teacher, guide, or mentor. The word sikh in the punjabi language means disciple, sikhs are the disciples of god who follow the. Christian, hindus, muslim, jews, etc all have the same right to liberty as a sikhs. The holy book ofsikhs, shri guru granth sahib, is a collection of bhakti songs, from various poets of the time, from kabir to ravidas to namdeo. The 10th guru, gobind singh, declared that he would have no living successor, and this collection of teachings would become the ultimate guru for the sikh. It is treated with great reverance and strict procedures. Sikhism broke from hinduism due, in part, to its rejection of the caste system. However sikhism is distinct from hinduism and islam.