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Sikhism
Monotheistic religion originating in Punjab, India / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sikhism (/ˈsiːkɪzəm/ SEEK-iz-əm),[7] also known as Sikhi (Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖੀ Sikkhī, [ˈsɪk.kʰiː] ⓘ, from Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖ, romanized: Sikh, lit. 'disciple'), is a monotheistic religion and philosophy,[8] that originated in the Punjab region of India around the end of the 15th century CE. Sikhism is classified as an Indian religion or Dharmic religion along with Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, It is one of the most recently founded major religious groups and among the largest in the world with about 25–30 million adherents (known as Sikhs).
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Sikhism | |
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ਸਿੱਖੀ | |
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Classification | Indian religion |
Scripture | |
Theology | |
Governance | Panj Takht |
Region | Predominant religion in Punjab, India (58%), and widespread worldwide as minorities (Sikh diaspora) |
Language | Punjabi Sant Bhasha[4] Khalsa bole[5] |
Headquarters | Akal Takht, Amritsar, Punjab, India |
Founder | Guru Nanak |
Origin | 15th-16th century CE Punjab region, Indian subcontinent |
Separations | Ravidassia |
Number of followers | 25-30 million (referred to individually as "Sikhs" or collectively as the "Sikh Panth")[6] |
Sikhism developed from the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak (1469–1539), the faith's first guru, and the nine Sikh gurus who succeeded him. The tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708), named the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the central religious scripture in Sikhism, as his successor. This brought the line of human gurus to a close. Sikhs regard the Guru Granth Sahib as the 11th and eternally living guru.
The core beliefs and practices of Sikhism, articulated in the Guru Granth Sahib and other Sikh scriptures, include faith and meditation in the name of the one creator (Ik Onkar), the divine unity and equality of all humankind, engaging in selfless service to others (sevā), striving for justice for the benefit and prosperity of all (sarbat da bhala), and honest conduct and livelihood. Following this standard, Sikhism rejects claims that any particular religious tradition has a monopoly on absolute truth. As a consequence, Sikhs do not actively proselytize, although voluntary converts are generally accepted. Sikhism emphasizes meditation and remembrance as a means to feel God's presence (simran), which can be expressed musically through kirtan or internally through naam japna (lit. 'meditation on God's name'). Baptised Sikhs are obliged to wear the five Ks, which are five articles of faith which physically distinguish Sikhs from non-Sikhs. Among these include the kesh (uncut hair). Most religious Sikh men thus do not cut their hair but rather wear a turban.[lower-roman 1]
The definition of a Sikh, according to the Rehat Maryada, the Sikh code of conduct, is any human being who faithfully believes in the following:[9]
- One Immortal Being,
- Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib,
- The Guru Granth Sahib,
- The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and,
- The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh.
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The religion developed and evolved in times of religious persecution, gaining converts from both Hinduism and Islam. The Mughal emperors of India tortured and executed two of the Sikh gurus—Guru Arjan (1563–1605) and Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621–1675)—after they refused to convert to Islam. The persecution of the Sikhs triggered the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 as an order to protect the freedom of conscience and religion, with members expressing the qualities of a sant-sipāhī ("saint-soldier").