Sikhism: An IntroductionSikhism: An Introduction

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THE BASICSTHE BASICS

SikhismSikhism: A religion from what is today northern : A religion from what is today northern IndiaIndia

Distinct from Hinduism and IslamDistinct from Hinduism and Islam Has its own holy scripture, written by the Has its own holy scripture, written by the

founder and succeeding Gurusfounder and succeeding Gurus Approximately 533 years oldApproximately 533 years old There are about 500,000 There are about 500,000 SikhsSikhs in the U.S., and in the U.S., and

an equal number in Canadaan equal number in Canada 22 million Sikhs worldwide22 million Sikhs worldwide World’s fifth largest religion (World Almanac)World’s fifth largest religion (World Almanac)

Historical Origins of SikhismHistorical Origins of Sikhism

• 22 million Sikhs worldwide• 20 million Sikhs in India

INDIA

CHINA

INDIAAFGHANISTAN

PAKISTAN

IRAN

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India & PakistanIndia & Pakistan

Punjab in India & Pakistan, the birthplace of Sikhism People in Punjab, including Hindus and Muslims, speak

Punjabi 16 million Sikhs presently living in Punjab, India

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NanakNanak

Nanak born in 1469near Lahore, Punjab

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Guru NanakGuru Nanak

Guru NanakGuru NanakEstablished beliefs of

the Sikh faith

Guru means teacher

Sikh means disciple or

student

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Some Sikh Beliefs and PracticesSome Sikh Beliefs and Practices

One GodOne God (monotheistic). (monotheistic). EqualityEquality between men and women. between men and women. Universal brotherhood – rejection of Caste.Universal brotherhood – rejection of Caste. Encourages service (Encourages service (sewasewa), worldliness.), worldliness. No major dietary restrictions.No major dietary restrictions. Alcohol and tobacco are forbidden.Alcohol and tobacco are forbidden. No rituals, superstitions.No rituals, superstitions. Defense of anyone weak or oppressed.Defense of anyone weak or oppressed. Location of the most sacred temple?Location of the most sacred temple?

Golden TempleGolden Temple

Golden TempleGolden Temple, Amritsar, India, Amritsar, Indiaaka aka Harmandir Sahib Harmandir Sahib (1588)(1588)Holy Site founded by 5Holy Site founded by 5thth Guru Guru

Adi GranthAdi Granth

Adi GranthAdi Granth

1430 pages

Gurmukhi

Sikh Gurus

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Sixth GuruSixth Guru

Sixth GuruSixth Guru

16061606Akal TakhatAkal TakhatSaint-SoldierSaint-Soldier

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Guru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind Singh

Tenth GuruTenth Guru

1699—Khalsa

Initiation: Amrit

Articles of Faith: 5 “K”s

Singh/Kaur

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Five Articles of FaithMandatory for initiated Sikhs (called Khalsa) and encouraged for others.

1. Kesh - Uncut Hair

2. Kachha - Under-shorts

3. Kara - Bracelet, made of steel

4. Kanga - Comb, made of wood

5. Kirpan - Sacred Sword -- defensive

Kara

Kirpan

Kanga

Sikh Articles of FaithSikh Articles of Faith

Guru Granth SahibGuru Granth Sahib

Sikh Holy Scripture:Sikh Holy Scripture:

Guru Granth SahibGuru Granth Sahib

© 1997, Maboli Systems, Inc.

Guru Granth Sahib (2)Guru Granth Sahib (2)

• Guru Granth Sahib revered as living Master• Focus & fulcrum of worship, religious activities &

interpretations© 1997, Maboli Systems, Inc.

Sikh Immigrants to U.S.Sikh Immigrants to U.S.

Early Sikh Immigrants:

Farmers in Canada,

California

Most Sikhs came to the U.S. after 1965; many are skilled

professionals

Today:Today:Sikhs AmericansSikhs Americans are proud and loyal citizens are proud and loyal citizens

Sikhs in the United States & New JerseySikhs in the United States & New Jersey

Sikh Americans join American society without Sikh Americans join American society without giving up religious beliefs and valuesgiving up religious beliefs and values

Sikh house of worship called “Gurdwara”Sikh house of worship called “Gurdwara” Several Gurdwaras in New Jersey Several Gurdwaras in New Jersey ((Glenrock, Glenrock,

Bridgewater, two in Carteret, East Windsor, Lawrenceville, Bridgewater, two in Carteret, East Windsor, Lawrenceville, Deptford, Burlington Township)Deptford, Burlington Township)

10,000 Sikhs in New Jersey10,000 Sikhs in New Jersey Visitors Welcome Visitors Welcome (covered head, shoes removed)(covered head, shoes removed)

Aftermath of 9/11 Aftermath of 9/11

Sikhs strongly condemn terrorismSikhs strongly condemn terrorism

Murder of innocents goes against the Murder of innocents goes against the fundamental principles of the Sikh faith, as it fundamental principles of the Sikh faith, as it does in all faiths.does in all faiths.

Sikh Americans support the effort to bring the Sikh Americans support the effort to bring the terrorists responsible to justice.terrorists responsible to justice.

Unfortunately, many Sikhs have been Unfortunately, many Sikhs have been harassed and attacked because of their harassed and attacked because of their appearance – confused with Taliban. appearance – confused with Taliban.

The Sikh TurbanThe Sikh Turban

Most Sikh men and some Sikh women wear Most Sikh men and some Sikh women wear turbans. turbans.

Sikhs children may simply cover their heads Sikhs children may simply cover their heads ((patkapatka))

Sikhs wear turbans as a sign ofSikhs wear turbans as a sign ofhumility (below God), but alsohumility (below God), but alsoas a way of expressing commitment to the as a way of expressing commitment to the community.community.

It is not a political statement. It is not a political statement.

TurbansTurbans

Terrorists don’t wear turbans!Terrorists don’t wear turbans! They try not They try not to draw attention to themselves. Ordinary to draw attention to themselves. Ordinary Muslims in the U.S. also do not wear turbans.Muslims in the U.S. also do not wear turbans.

In contrast, In contrast, Sikhs are proud of their identitySikhs are proud of their identity and unique appearance. and unique appearance.

99% of people wearing turbans in the U.S. 99% of people wearing turbans in the U.S. are Sikhs.are Sikhs.

Please don’t judge by appearancesPlease don’t judge by appearances..

Resources on the InternetResources on the Internet

www.www.SikhsSikhs.org.org www.www.SikhMediawatchSikhMediawatch.org.org www.www.SikhCoalitionSikhCoalition.org.org www.www.SikhEducationSikhEducation.org.org www.www.SikhnetSikhnet.org.org Sikh Sabha of New JerseySikh Sabha of New Jersey

www.come.to/sikhsabhawww.come.to/sikhsabha www.www.SikhFoundationSikhFoundation.com (publications).com (publications)

Thanks! Thanks!

AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments

This presentation takes elements of other This presentation takes elements of other presentations on Sikhism. Thanks to Jasbir presentations on Sikhism. Thanks to Jasbir Singh (of Maboli), Sikh Mediawatch and Singh (of Maboli), Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, and Sutinder Singh Resource Task Force, and Sutinder Singh Dhanjal, and Amardeep Singh.Dhanjal, and Amardeep Singh.

This version of the presentation prepared by This version of the presentation prepared by Savraj Singh (savraj@princeton.edu)Savraj Singh (savraj@princeton.edu)..