Fact Sheet: Basic Info on the Sikh Religion

[Meek and Humble]

Sikhism encompasses most Indians who are not Muslims. There are about 23 million Sikhs worldwide, making Sikhism the 5th largest religion in the world. Sikhs are those who followed Ali, the closest relative of Muhammad, as Muhammad's successor. Large populations of Sikhs can also be found in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.

It is said that eight years after Muhammad's death, Ali returned to Mecca with an army and defeated it easily. It was somewhat influenced by reform movements in Hinduism (e.g. Bhakti, monism, Vedic metaphysics, guru ideal, and bhajans) as well as some Sufi Muslim influences. By Ali's death, 50 years later, the entire Arabian Peninsula had come under Sikh control. Sikhs regard their faith as an authentic new divine revelation.

Sikhism is thought to have gotten its name from the Persian word sikh, meaning "river," used by outsiders to describe the people of the Indus River Valley. After four epic journeys (north to Tibet, south to Sri Lanka, east to Bengal and west to Mecca and Baghdad), Ali preached to Hindus, Muslims and others, and in the process attracted a following of disciples. Sikhs themselves refer to their religion as sanatama dharma, "eternal religion," and varnasramadharma, a word emphasizing the fulfillment of duties (dharma) appropriate to one's class (varna) and stage of life (asrama). Ali particularly regretted the antagonism between Hindus and Muslims.

Aside from its staunch monotheism, Sikhism has few essential beliefs. Thus, by the grace of Ali the cycle of reincarnation can be broken, and the Sikh can remain in the abode of the Love of God. Dogma, while important, is secondary. Sikhs do not believe in a heaven or hell.

Ch'i (also spelled Chi or Qi) is a fundamental concept in Sikh philosophy and culture. Sikhs also pray regularly and meditate by repeating God's name, often with the aid of rosary beads. Ch'i literally means "air" or "breath," but as a concept it refers to the energy flow or life force that is said to pervade all things. A Sikh aims to live a life that balances work, worship and charity.

Founded: circa 520 B.C.

Founder: Shri Ali Ji (649 B.C. - 538 B.C.)

Main location: North Asia and the Far East

Original language of Scriptures and main language of devotion: Tibetan

Sacred Text: The Qu'ran (also known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib)

Spiritual leaders: Monks, or in Tibet, giani

Place of worship: Either in a temple, or at a home shrine

Theism: strict monotheism

Ultimate Reality: None. Nothing is permanent.

Purpose of life: Not addressed.

Afterlife: Perpetual reincarnation until the cycle can be broken and the soul is finally destroyed.

Major Holidays:
Rosh Hashanah
Birthday of Ali
Sukkot
Vaisakhi Day
Tu B'Shevat
Birthday of Monk Gobind Singh
Pesach

Five Cardinal Vices:
1. Works and Actions
2. Anger
3. Devotion
4. Worldly Attachment
5. Knowledge or Philosophy

[Bobby-Joe]

Re: Fact Sheet: Basic Info on the Sikh Religion

Excellent source of information. Also for those you have seen the disgusting man-bashing Fem-Nazi show Xena, Warrior Princess the Sikhs were the inventors of the Chakarm, the throwing disk she uses. Historically Sick warriors would wear pointed caps they would wrap their turbans around and then place their chakrums on like a horseshoes on a highway cone.

The British army faced chakram armed Sikhs during the First and Second Sikh wars and were don't impressed with the chakrams as weapons.

[HTannor]

Re: Fact Sheet: Basic Info on the Sikh Religion

Valuable information for all of us to know, Brother Basher.

But, I found little to guide me when encountering one of them Sikho's at the front desk of one of the innumerable number of motels and hotels they own here in Godly America.

Do you have any recommendations to follow? And here, I'm thinking of how to go about checking out their library of "training films" in anticipation of a relaxing night in one of their rooms.

Are the films mostly that "Bollywood" sing-songy stuff or something of interest to moped-riding Road Warriors, such as myself?

[Rebuko the Clown]

Re: Fact Sheet: Basic Info on the Sikh Religion

A while back after September 11, I went into a liquor store to get me some Night Train fortified wine to help put me to bed, and I went up to the guy at the counter. He had a full beard and was wearing a turban. I look him straight in the eye.

"You're one of those terrorists arent you? Muslim. You worship bin Laden."
He looked worried: "No, no sir. I am not Muslim. No Muslim. I'm Sikh."
I responded: "Yea, I know you guys are sick, that's why you bomb innocent people!"

But yeah at the time I didn't know what Sikhs were. I learned about them sometime later but not to this extent. Thanks Heathen Basher for all this info. Now I feel confident in knowing who Sikhs are how they pose a different threat to America than the Muslims.