Sikhism
Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539 CE) in the Punjab, as an attempt to reconcile Hinduism and Islam, and was promoted by a succession of nine gurus, the last of whom was Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 CE). Sikhism is a monotheistic religion believing in the oneness of God and of humanity and that divinity lies within oneself; its teachings as revealed to the Gurus are found in the holy Sikh scripture the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ (Adi Grandh), a copy of which is kept in every Gurudwara (Sikh temple).

 

God is regarded as eternal, omnipotent, creator, sustainer and destroyer of the world. Sikhism believes in karma and transmigration, but salvation is possible through God’s grace and with the aid of the Guru, hence, loyalty to the Guru is of overriding importance. Sikhism believes in humanity and its true nature, whereby human beings possess divine elements in the form of mind or soul (mana or atman), but the involvement of humans in evil passions and egoism, does not allow the divine element to reveal itself; thus, Sikhism emphasises a self-purification as means of purging evil passions and egoism. Bad actions bring misery and rebirth, while good leads to happiness and salvation. Sikhism firmly believes in karma professing ‘As one sows, so one reaps’.

 

Sikhism believes in the performance of righteous actions, repeating God’s name (naama smaran), and hymns and praises to God (bhajan and kirtan) as the means to liberation, emphasising inner purity of mind and heart. It is opposed to pilgrimage, idolatry and other extraneous practices, and emphasises that practices are only religious if they are performed with a pure heart, as the mere mechanical repeating of God’s name and praises to him are of no benefit if they do not come from one’s own heart. There is a particular importance given to self-conquest claiming that ‘A person, who conquers the mind, has conquered all’.

 

Sikhism practises religious discipline in the form of repetition of God’s name, devotional songs, a dedicated virtuous life, selfless service to the people, and the company of Guru Mukha, for the path of final release. It emphasises cultivation of the virtues of humility, love, contentment, truth, righteousness, mercy, compassion and purity, and preaches love to all without any distinction of caste or creed.

 

Though Sikhism in its essence is opposed to extrinsicality and rituals, over time rituals have been accepted, such as baptism, pilgrimage to Guru Gobind Singh’s birthplace, and daily rituals. Guru Gobind Singh has laid down daily rituals such as: rising early, bathing in cold water, morning and evening prayers and meditation on God’s name.

 

The Sikh place of worship is the Gurudwara meaning ‘the doorway of the Guru’, a centre for worship, religious education, social activities and welfare services. Readings from the ‘Granth Sahib’, hymns and praises to God, meditation on God’s name and reverence of the ‘Granth Sahib’ and Guru are the specific features of Sikh worship. Some Sikhs may have a special room at home where the ‘Granth Sahib’ is displayed. It is customary to have a communal meal (langar) at the Gurudwara where no meat dishes, alcohol or smoking are permitted.

 

Sikhism has no priests or monks and any adult can perform religious ceremonies. On special occasions, continuous liturgical readings of the complete ‘Granth Sahib’ (akhand paath), a reading for a whole week (saptah paath), and the reading of extracts (sahaj paath) are relayed to the congregation. Sikh worship ends with the distribution of an edible gift (karah prasaada) and a communal meal (langar).

 

All Sikh men take the religious name Singh (lion) and all Sikh women Kaur (princess), in order to promote equality and nullify caste. Sikhism, however, does have a number of sects such as Namadhari, Akalis, Nirankaris, Nanak-panthis and Khalsa. Many Sikhs expect to be initiated at some stage in their life, and the Sikhs belonging to Khalsa observe ‘the five Ks’ kesh (uncut hair), kangha (to keep hair clean), kara (symbol of spiritual allegiance) and kirpan (ceremonial sword for self-defence and to protect the weak and oppressed).

Sikhs celebrate many festivals, the major among them are Vaisakhi (April), Diwali (Oct/Nov), Guru Nanak’s birthday (November) the Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Nov/Dec), and Guru Gobind’s birthday (Dec/Jan).

 

Jainism and Sikhism
The spiritual core of Sikhism, that rebirth and sufferings can be ended by conquering the mind or soul and controlling the five evils of lust, anger, covetousness, attachment and pride, are similar to Jain teachings of self-conquest and control over the passions, but that salvation is attained through God’s grace is contrary to Jain belief.

 

Like Jainism, Sikhism believes in the equality of souls, reverence for Gurus, the scripture and its ethical teachings. However, unlike Sikhism, Jainism believes in the teachings of the omniscient tirthankaras, the organised ascetic orders, renunciation, austerities, a logically argued karma theory, a theory of knowledge, stages of spiritual progress leading to the attainment of godhood, and love and friendship to all living beings.

 

Sikhism believes in God as the creator of the Universe and that the individual merges with God after salvation. Jainism professes that the Universe is eternal, is not created by any supreme being, and that the soul retains its own identity even after salvation, and the teachings and wisdom of the omniscients are found in the vast literature preserved by the Jains.