Sikhism
The word Sikh means learner, or seeker of truth. Sikhism advocates equality, social justice, service to humanity, and tolerance for other religions. The essence of Sikhism is spiritual devotion to and reverence of God at all times and the practice of honesty, compassion, humility, and generosity in everyday life.
Sikh males are distinguished by their turban, their unshorn hair and beard, a steel or cast-iron bangle called a kara, and a small sword worn under the shirt called a kirpan). Sikh females are distinguished by their traditional chunni, a long scarf worn over their head and across their shoulders.
During the 19th century, Sikhs were employed by the British as trusted guards in British colonies of eastern Asia. Sikh regiments fought in the two world wars under British command and shared the trenches in Gallipoli with British and Australian forces. 83,000 Sikhs were killed in the two Wars in locales distant from their Punjab homeland like France, Denmark, Italy and Burma. The Allied Forces were impressed with their fighting skills and the British awarded them several Victoria Crosses.
There are approximately 26 million Sikhs worldwide, 80% of whom reside in India, primarily in the state of Punjab. There are also significant Sikh populations in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, East Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. The Sikhs constitute about 14% of all people of Indian origin who have migrated to Australia. Sikhs have been in Australia since arriving from the Punjab in the 19th century among the so-called ‘Afghan’ cameleers (mainly natives of British India brought to Australia to service the inland pastoral industry by carting goods and transporting wool bales by camel train), as well as indentured laborers who immigrated to work in the cane fields of northern New South Wales.
Sikhism is one of the youngest of the major world religions, founded in 1469 CE in Punjab, North India, by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in response to a spiritual revelation. Nanak and his nine direct successors were addressed as guru, a term which means spiritual guide or teacher. Guru Nanak taught that true religion consists of always being ever mindful of God, meditating on God's name and attributes, and reflecting on God’s Power during all activities of daily life. Guru Nanak’s followers became known as Sikhs (from the Sanskrit word shishysa), which means disciple.
The Guru Granth Sahib is the Holy Book and ultimate spiritual authority for Sikhs. It contains teachings and devotional compositions written and recorded by the Sikh Gurus as well as material composed by contemporary Hindu and Muslim religious writers. The Guru Granth Sahib is at the heart of Sikh worship and its presence lends sanctity to Sikh houses of worship called Gurdwara (which literally translates as Door of the Guru).
Sikhism advocates the universal acceptance of all humanity and the equality of all persons irrespective of their caste, colour, gender, nationality, and religion. Equality of the sexes is also emphasized. Sat Nam, or Satnam is the main word that appears in the sacred scripture and is repeated daily by Sikhs. Satnam succeeds the word Ek-onkar which means "There is only one constant" or, more commonly, "There is one God." The word sat means "true" or "everlasting" and the word nam means "name." In this usage, Satnam means "The Name of (One) God is True and Everlasting."
Sikhs believe that the ten Gurus were one with the Divine Being and each of the Gurus possessed divine attributes. The aforementioned first Guru was Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the tenth Guru was Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The tenth Guru anointed the Holy Book, the Guru Granth Sahib, as the living eternal Guru of the Sikhs. Consequentially, the Holy Book is treated with the level of reverence and respect formerly reserved for its ten Guru predecessors.
The Sikh way of life is based on Nam Japna (the remembrance of God’s name with every breath), Kirat Karni (earning a living through physical labor, respect and concern for the wellbeing of one's family, and practicing truthfulness and honesty in all dealings with others), and Vand Ke Chakna (serving as an inspiration and support to the community). Sikhs strive to maintain control over their Kaam (desire), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Moh (attachment), and Hankar (pride). Sikhs believe that reincarnation, the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, is the fate of those who do not attain attachment to God while living.
The following traditions must be observed upon greeting or being introduced to another person. The traditional Sikh manner of greeting is with folded hands, especially when greeting a person of the opposite sex. Sikh greet one another by proclaiming “Sat Sri Akal” (God is the Truth). Sikh males or females who are related or close friends are permitted to embrace one another. It is customary for elders to place the palm of their hand on the head of youth which is symbolic of affection and the transfer of love and blessings. Sikhs may bow and touch the feet of the elders as a gesture of respect for the elder’s honored position at home or in society.
All Sikh males bear the name of Singh (which means lion) and Sikh females carry the name Kaur (which means lioness or princess). In some cases the ancestral names are included after Singh or Kaur. Referring to a Sikh male as Mr. Singh and to a Sikh female as Miss or Mrs Kaur. is acceptable, but it is preferred that a person's full name be used when more than one Sikh is present.
Many Sikhs feel that there is a general lack of awareness about the significance of visible articles of faith that are fundamental to their religious identity. Baptised Sikh males and females (known as Amritdhari Sikh) are required to wear the five signs of their faith, known as the Five K’s): (1) Kirpan, a small sized sword placed in a shoulder belt, (2)Kara, an iron bangle worn on the wrist, (3) Kacha, special underwear that is similar in appearance to boxer shorts, (4) Kanga, a small wooden comb, and (5) Kesh, or hair. A Sikh must not cut the hair from his or her body from birth to death. An Amritdhari Sikh (those who have been initiated into the Khalsa (meaning pure) Sikh brotherhood) must not be compelled to separate any of the Five K’s from their body. Cutting of one's hair or abandoning the wearing of a turban as sacrilegious.
Each of the five K’s has a special religious significance. The neatly tied turban worn over unshorn hair represents a crown of spirituality. The steel or cast iron Kara signifies bondage to Truth. Sikh youth normally wear a patka (cloth) on their head. As they transform into adulthood they begin to wear a Pugg (turban). The colour of the turban is not normally significant, but in connection with the death of a loved one a white turban is worn by males and a white chunni, or scarf, may be worn by females. Gyani, or priests, generally wear dark blue, black or white.
A Sikh can worship at any time of the day or night, but the expected prayer times are before sunrise and sunset and just prior to going to bed at night. Generally, a Sikh meditates (Simran) on the Name of God by reciting this Name (the Magnificent Lord, Waheguru) even while they are working. Each year there are a number of Sikh festivals, called Gurpurbs, that are associated with the birth and death anniversaries of the ten Gurus. The birthdays of first Guru Nanak Dev Ji and tenth Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the martyrdom days of the fifth and the ninth gurus are especially significant. On these occasions, Sikhs practice the Akhand Path, a continuous 48 hour reading of the Granth Sahib. An annual celebration of the five Sikhs baptized by tenth Guru Gobind Singh is known as advent day of Khalsa, or Baisakhi, that signifies the beginning of the wheat harvest and also marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year.
Whether they are living together or not, Sikh family members are expected to look after each other in time of need. The eldest person in the family is well respected, and his or her views are strongly into consideration when making decisions on family matters. Adultery, by either a male or female Sikh, is taken very seriously. Divorce amongst Sikhs is uncommon. Sikh women have equal status with men and are regarded as a significant part of the Sikh community. A woman is reverenced for her important positions in the family and in society. She has the right to grow spiritually, to attend religious services, and to recite divine hymns in the Gurdwara. She is also eligible to participate in and to perform all religious ceremonies.
