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Introduction
to Sikhism
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Sikhism is
a monotheistic faith, which was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469
- 1539) and shaped by his nine successors in the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries in South Asia. Sikhism is not a sect of
Hinduism or Islam, or synthesis of these two faiths.
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Sikhs
are a people sharing common religious, social and political institutions.
Twenty five million people worldwide identify themselves as adherents
of the Sikh faith, making it the fifth largest world-religion. Word
"Sikh" means disciple of the true (absolute) guru. A Sikh
is a person whose faith consists of belief in One God and who follows
the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, the present guru of Sikhs. |
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Sikhs, the "Guru" is the exalted master who shows the
way to enlightenment and union with god. There were 10 Gurus in
the human form from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh who developed
the faith and moulded the Sikh community. Guru Granth Sahib (sacred
text), the scriptural embodiment of over two centuries of spiritual
teaching and instructions became the eternal Guru of the Sikhs,
ending the human lineage of Guru. Sikhs consider the message contained
within the scripture to be the living word of God, communicated
directly through the enlightened Gurus and Saints. Guru Granth Sahib
teaches through divine bani (words of god) that are set to a formal
system of Sikh classical music. In the compilation of the Sikh scripture,
the Gurus included the hymns of many non- Sikh spiritual guides
from diverse religious traditions, making Guru Granth Sahib truly
universal. |
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Sikhs in Ireland |
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Sikh articles of faith |
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Frequently asked questions about sikhism |
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Misconceptions about Sikhism |
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