Ron Hunter BFA.
Passport Event
The Visit to the
Birth of Guru Nanak (traditionally celebrated in
November) 537 birthday
Fellowship and food, the
movement of the universe, as we draw closer to each other the closer we draw to
the higher state of being. Since the beginning of mankind we have joined in
fellowship, sitting around the fire, looking to understand God, our lives, the
spiritual elements the way to live a better life to those ends.
The fellowship and openness
of the church in its traditional service was both interesting and uplifting.
The people where great in making strangers welcome. A true feeling of
hospitality was present thought the service and then the wonderful dinner after
the service. The service was in there native language, so much of what was said
I did not understand, But the meaning was clear. As all services of enlighten
beings including the human race have much in common. The service outlined of a
way to live a better life and grow spiritually.
In looking into the Sikhism
It is a progressive religion well ahead of its time,
when it was founded over 500 years ago, The Sikh religion today has a following
of over 20 million people worldwide and is ranked as the worlds 5th largest
religion. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all
times, truthful living, equality of mankind and denounces superstitions and
blind rituals. 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, http://www.sikhs.org/
Using there own words “Deep
within the self in the light of God. It radiates throughout the expanse of His
Creation. Throught the Guru’s teaching, the darkness
of the spirit ignorance is dispelled. The heart lotus flower blossom forth and
eternal peace is obtained, as one’s light merges into the supreme Light” –Guru Amar Das, Majh,
pg. 126
Origin & Development of Sikhism 
The Sikh Gurus
"The Palace of the Lord
God is so beautiful. Within it, there are gems, rubies, pearls and flawless
diamonds. A fortress of gold surrounds this Source of Nectar. How can I climb
up to the Fortress without a ladder? By meditating on the Lord, through the
Guru, I am blessed and exalted. The Guru is the Ladder, the Guru is the Boat,
and the Guru is the Raft to take me to the Lord’s Name. The Guru is the Boat to
carry me across the world-ocean; the Guru is the Sacred Shrine of Pilgrimage,
the Guru is the
The word "Guru" is a Sanskrit word meaning
teacher, honoured person, religious person or saint.
Sikhism though has a very specific definition of the word Guru. It means the
descent of divine guidance to mankind provided through ten Enlightened Masters.
This honour of being called a Sikh Guru applies only
to the ten Gurus who founded the religion starting with Guru Nanak in 1469 and
ending with Guru Gobind Singh in 1708; thereafter it
refers to the Sikh Holy Scriptures the Guru Granth
Sahib. The divine spirit was passed from one Guru to the next as "The
light of a lamp which lights another does not abate. Similarly a spiritual
leader and his disciple become equal, Nanak says the truth."
"They distinguish and
separate one Guru from the other. And rare is the one who knows that they,
indeed, were one. They who realised
this in their hearts, attained Realisation of
God." (Guru Gobind Singh, Dohira,
Vachitra Natak)
Pictures of the Gurus
Sikhism rejects any form of idol worship including worship of pictures
of the Gurus. Although some of the Gurus did pose for paintings, unfortunately
none of these historical paintings have survived. Artists renditions are for
inspirational purposes only and should not be regarded as objects of worship
themselves.
Origin & Development of
Sikhism, http://www.sikhs.org/topics1.htm
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The Great Masters of Sikhism |
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(1469 to 1539) |
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(1504 to 1552) |
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(1479 to 1574) |
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(1534 to 1581) |
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(1563 to 1606) |
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(1595 to 1644) |
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(1630 to 1661) |
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(1656 to 1664) |
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(1621 to 1675) |
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(1666
to 1708) |
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Sikh Saints http://www.sikhs.org/saints.htm
Historical Gurdwaras of Punjab , Photographs and historical details of the major Gurdwaras (Sikh Temples) of
http://www.sikhs.org/hgurd.html
Gurdwaras:
All religions have temples where people can gather
together to contemplate on God and pray. The Sikh temple is called a Gurdwara. The word 'Gurdwara'
means 'Gateway to the Guru'. In Sikhism ones personal dedication to living a
good life is important but another important aspect of Sikhism is the Sangat (congregation). Not only should one meditate on God
on their individual level but also on a corporate level. There are thousands of
Gurdwaras throughout
Many of the Gurdwaras in
Sikh Philosophy & Scriptures
Philosophy
The basic tenets of the Sikh belief system with
scriptural quotes from the Gurus.
http://www.sikhs.org/philos.htm
Sri Guru Granth Sahib
The Sikh holy scriptures & living Guru of the
Sikhs. History, Authors, Daily Hukamnamas
as well as a complete English translation.
http://www.sikhs.org/granth.htm
Select Writings
The significance as well as translations of various banis
of the Gurus. Includes complete Japji
Sahib in Gurmukhi & English.
http://www.sikhs.org/granth.htm
Other Faiths
Comparison of the similarities and differences between Sikhism and the other
major religions in existance during the times of the
Gurus.
http://www.sikhs.org/religion.htm
Women
The views of the Gurus regarding women. Quotes from Sri Guru Granth
Sahib as well as biographies of famous Sikh women.
http://www.sikhs.org/women.htm
Introduction
to Sikhism
A way of life and philosophy
well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years ago, The Sikh
religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide. 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. 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.
Who and What is a
Sikh?
The word 'Sikh' in the
Punjabi language means 'disciple', Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow
the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. The wisdom of these teachings
in
Sri Guru Granth Sahib are practical and universal in their appeal to all mankind.
"I observe neither Hindu
fasting nor the ritual of the Muslim Ramadan month; Him I serve who at the last
shall save. The Lord of universe of the Hindus, Gosain
and Allah to me are one; From Hindus and Muslims have
I broken free. I perform neither Kaaba pilgrimage nor
at bathing spots worship; One sole Lord I serve, and
no other. I perform neither the Hindu worship nor the Muslim prayer; To the
Sole Formless Lord in my heart I bow. We neither are Hindus nor Muslims; Our body and life belong to the One Supreme Being who alone
is both Ram and Allah for us." (Guru Arjan Dev,
Guru Granth Sahib, Raga Bhairon
pg. 1136)
"Any human being who
faithfully believes in: (i) One Immortal Being, (ii)
Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh,
(iii) The Guru Granth Sahib, (iv) The utterances and
teachings of the ten Gurus and, (v) the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru,
and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion is a Sikh." (Reht Maryada, Sikh Code of
Conduct)
Philosophy and Beliefs
There
is only One God. He is the same God for all people of all religions.
The
soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches the human form.
The goal of our life is to lead an exemplary existence so that one may merge
with God. Sikhs should remember God at all times and practice living a virtuous
and truthful life while maintaining a balance between their spiritual
obligations and temporal obligations.
The
true path to achieving salvation and merging with God does not require
renunciation of the world or celibacy, but living the life of a householder,
earning a honest living and avoiding worldly
temptations and sins.
Sikhism
condemns blind rituals such as fasting, visiting places of pilgrimage,
superstitions, worship of the dead, idol worship etc.
Sikhism
preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are all equal in the
eyes of God. It teaches the full equality of men and women. Women can
participate in any religious function or perform any Sikh ceremony or lead the
congregation in prayer.
History and Practices
The founder of the Sikh
religion was Guru Nanak who was born in 1469. He preached a message of love and
understanding and criticized the blind rituals of the Hindus and Muslims. Guru
Nanak passed on his enlightened leadership of this new religion to nine
successive Gurus. The final living Guru, Guru Gobind
Singh died in 1708.
During his lifetime Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa
order (meaning 'The Pure'), soldier-saints. The Khalsa
uphold the highest Sikh virtues of commitment, dedication and a social
conscious. The Khalsa are men and women who have
undergone the Sikh baptism ceremony and who strictly follow the Sikh Code of
Conduct and Conventions and wear the prescribed physical articles of the faith.
One of the more noticeable being the uncut hair
(required to be covered with a turban for men) and the Kirpan
(ceremonial sword).
Before his death in 1708 Guru
Gobind Singh declared that the Sikhs no longer needed
a living and appointed his spiritual successor as Sri Guru Granth
Sahib, his physical successor as the Khalsa. Guru Gobind Singh felt that all the wisdom needed by Sikhs for
spiritual guidance in their daily lives could be found in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Eternal Guru of the Sikhs. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is unique in the world of religious scriptures
because not only is it accorded the status of being the spiritual head of the
Sikh religion, but besides the poetry of the Gurus, it also contains the
writings of saints of other faiths whose thoughts were consistent with those of
the Sikh Gurus.
Sikhism does not have
priests, which were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh.
The Guru felt that they had become corrupt and full of ego. Sikhs only have
custodians of the Guru Granth Sahib (granthi), and any Sikh is free to read the Guru Granth Sahib in the Gurdwara (a
Sikh temple) or in their home. All people of all religions are welcome to the Gurdwara. A free community kitchen can be found at every Gurdwara which serves meals to all people of all faiths.
Guru Nanak first started this institution which outline
the basic Sikh principles of service, humility and equality.
The most significant
historical religious center for the Sikhs is Harmiandir
Sahib (The Golden Temple) at
History and
Practices http://www.sikhs.org/summary.htm
Religious
Emblems
Khanda
The Khanda
is the symbol of the Sikhs, as the Cross is to Christians or the Star of David
is to Jews. It reflects some of the fundamental concepts of Sikhism. The symbol
derives its name from the double-edged sword (also called a Khanda)
which appears at the center of the logo. This double-edged sword is a metaphor
of Divine Knowledge, its sharp edges cleaving Truth from Falsehood. The circle
around the Khanda is the Chakar.
The Chakar being a circle without a beginning or and
end symbolizes the perfection of God who is eternal. The Chakar
is surrounded by two curved swords called Kirpans.
These two swords symbolize the twin concepts of Meeri
and Peeri - Temporal and Spiritual authority
introduced by Guru Hargobind. They emphasize the
equal emphasis that a Sikh must place on spiritual aspirations as well as
obligations to society.
Nishan Sahib
Nishan Sahib is the name given to the flag which is seen
flying outside every Sikh Gurdwara (
Ik Onkar
"There is Only One God". The
first two words in the Guru Granth Sahib & one of
the cornerstones of Sikhism. They appear at the beginning of the Mul
Mantra written by Guru Nanak describing the qualities of God in the Japji.
Gurmukhi - The Sikh Alphabet
The word 'Gurmukhi'
literally means from the mouth of the Guru. Gurmukhi
has some similarities to older Indian scripts of the times, but it's thirty five characters and vowel modifiers were
standardized by Guru Angad. Rather than use the Hindu
scripts such as Sanskrit, Guru Angad Dev chose to
make a new script the standard for the Sikhs. Sanskrit was only restricted to
the priestly Hindu class, but the Gurus did not believe in this elitism. Guru Angad Dev spent his lifetime teaching the Gurmukhi script to the common people of
Gurmukhi has 35 letters as well as nine vowel modifiers. In
addition there are five special sound modifiers symbols. A vertical bar is used
to indicate the end of a sentences. Two vertical bars
indicate a longer pause between sentences or paragraphs. The table below
presents the letters, numbers and vowel modifiers. The vowel modifiers are
presented with english
words, the sounds that they make being emphasized in capital letters.
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The Gurmukhi Alphabet |
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Sound Modifying Symbols.
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Sound
Effect: reinforces the following letter.
Sound
Effect: partial NUNNA character sound.
Sound
Effect: nasal sound of the vowel modifier is appears with.
Sound
Effect: produces partial RARA sound following the letter.
Sound
Effect: produces partial HAHA sound following the letter
Practice Paragraph
Pronunciation
Aih mera ghar hae.
Es vich mere mata
pita bhain taae bhra rhendaae hun.
Ghar ittaan taae lukarh
da baniaa hae. Es vich chaar sawn
valaae kumraae hun. Ik baethk hae.
Ghar vich ik rsoiee
aetaae doow guslkhanaae hun. Ghar daae aghaae bgheecha
hae. Ous vich sundr phul hun. Phul lal peelaae
taae chitaae rung daae hun.
Translation
This is my house. My mother, father, sister and
brother live in it. The house is made of bricks and wood. It has four bedrooms.
It has one drawing room. The house has one kitchen and two bathrooms. In front
of the house is a small garden. In it are beautiful flowers. The flowers are
red, yellow and white colored.
For information about instructional
Punjabi readers or Gurmukhi computer fonts please see
the Other Related Resources category.
To further practice reading Gurmukhi try reading the Japji
Sahib which appears in both Gurmukhi
and English and can be found under the Selected Translations category.
Gurmukhi, The Sikh Alphabet, http://www.sikhs.org/gurmukhi.htm
Other Web Sites & Internet Resources &
Favorites, can be found at: http://www.sikhs.org/other.htm
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