Intro to Sikhi

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The word Sikh means "student" or "disciple" in the Punjabi language. Sikhs are students and followers of Guru Nanak (b. 1469), the founder of the Sikh tradition. Guru Nanak was succeeded by nine Gurus or holy teachers. Since 1708, the Sikh Guru has been their religious scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhism is the youngest of the world's major religions, being founded in the 15th Century. (Guru Nanak was born in 1469)

There are over 23 million Sikhs worldwide, making Sikhism the fifth largest organized religion in the world. There are about 800,000 Sikhs in the United Kingdom and about 1,200,000 Sikhs in North America. Almost 18 million Sikhs live in the Punjab district in what is now India and Pakistan.

Sikhism teaches that there is one God, all people are equal and good actions are important for a Sikh. Sikhs also believe in honesty, truthfulness, charity, and the constant remembrance of God. They consider that empty religious ceremonies have no real meaning in life. Consequently they avoid pilgrimages, fasting and statues.

Sikhism is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak and of the other nine gurus who were his successors. The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh declared that there would be no other human Gurus but instead Sikhs could look to their holy scriptures for guidance - so the [[living Guru of the Sikhs[[ is the Sri Guru Granth Sahib

The collection of Sikh holy scriptures appears in the Guru Granth Sahib. This is a collection of teachings and writings of the Sikh Gurus as well as Hindu and Muslim saints. These scriptures are written in Gurmukhi (sometimes also called Punjabi) and are greatly respected by all Sikhs as the "living word of God".

The Guru Granth Sahib is kept on a raised platform called a Takhat (or throne) under a canopy in the place of worship. Sikhs take off their shoes in the presence of the holy scriptures and also never turn their back to the sacred scriptures. At every festival, the holy text is read continuously from beginning to end, which takes about 48 hours.

Any building where the Guru Granth Sahib is kept is a Sikh place of worship and is called a Gurdwara ('House of the Guru'). Sikh services are generally held daily but special services are held on a Sunday in the Western countries and are based on the writings in the Guru Granth Sahib, together with chants and prayers sung to music from the Guru known as Kirtan. The service ends with a free meal from the langar (shared meal).


Above article based on article at: www.sikhnextdoor.org