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Sikhism is one of the world’s most popular religions. It was founded in the 16th century in Northern India. Sikhism is the ninth largest religion and the fifth largest organized religion (depending on one’s definition of “organized”). Most Sikhs live in the land of Punjab (located on the borders of modern India and Pakistan).
One tenet of philosophy of the Sikhs is Ek On Kar, the idea that there is a single god worshipped by many religions, yet given different names by most. This god is believed to have an infinite lifespan and that he has created and now maintains the universe.
Sikhs also believe in reincarnation (the transfer of a soul from one creature to another after the first’s death) and karma (the belief that when a virtue is performed, happiness will result in the next life, while when a sin is made, suffering will be the ultimate consequence). After a soul has become spiritually faultless, it achieves salvation (the separation from a soul and the material world and the eternal union of a soul and God).
Humanity is another belief of the Sikhs. This is the belief that all humans are of equal status, irrelevant of discriminations such as gender, race, or class. This was instituted by Guru Nanak Dev of the 15th and 16th centuries.
A unique belief is that Sikhs think that there may be many paths to salvation, and that people of any religion can achieve it, however Sikhism is the most direct route to salvation. In other words, Sikhs do not believe that they are the only people chosen by God to reach eternal harmony, but that all have the opportunity.
Smaller tenets include the advocating of moral values for the defense of fellow beings and the sacrifice of one’s person to sustain the ultimate principles. Sikhs must also have a positive outlook on life and must be disciplined in the recital of prayer.
The Sikhs celebrate 10 Gurupurabs a year, one for each of the 10 Sikh Gurus. Each is celebrated on the anniversary of a day associated with one of the guru’s lives. One Gurupurab is Prakash Utsav, the festival of light. It celebrates Guru Nanak Dev’s, the enlightener of the world, birthday.
The Khanda is arguably the most important symbol in Sikhism. This symbol is a collection of the images of four weapons. In the middle is a khanda (double-edged sword), which symbolizes the knowledge of God. Around it is a chakram, which is a metal ring with sharp edges that was flew when thrown, symbolizing the oneness of God. Flanking the khanda are two kirpans (ceremonial daggers used by the Sikhs), which each symbolize Miri (political sovereignty) and Piri (spiritual sovereignty). The Khanda of Sikhism is the equivalent of the Holy Cross of Christianity or the Star of David of Judaism.
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