CONTEMPORARY  FAITH

4. SIJISM (SIKHISM)

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Estimated year of creation: 1500 AD

Prophet of Sikhism: Guru - Baba - Nanak (1469 - 1538 AD)

Main Book of Sikhism: Guru Granth Sahib

Main deity of Sikhism: Waheguru (God)

Headquarters / Capital in the world: Punjab Region.

Number of faithful around the world: 25 - 30 million.

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Main symbol of the god of Sikhism: The khanda, one of the most important symbols of Sikhism, is made up of three weapons, each with a different meaning: Khanda: straight sword that symbolizes the knowledge of God. It is situated between two curved swords called kirpans.

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Basic principles of Sikhism:

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Practicing Sikhs should always wear these 5 Ks or Articles of Faith, which are:

• Kesh: long uncut hair

• Khanga: a small wooden comb to collect your hair

• Kara: a metallic bracelet

• Kacha: cotton underwear, boxer-shaped

• Kirpan: originally it was a ceremonial sword, but today it is nothing more than a small dagger. It symbolizes power and freedom of spirit, self-respect, the constant struggle for good and morality over injustice. The kirpan should never be drawn to attack, but can be used for self-defense or to protect a third party.

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All their beliefs are based on the ten Gurus and the holy book. These beliefs were not based on the way to find the way to heaven or hell, but on the spiritual union that one could have with God, which ultimately resulted in salvation. For them there are obstacles that prevent them from reaching total salvation and evils that are important to avoid, egotism, lust, rage, anger and greed. When people fall into these evils, then separation from God is obtained, which is very difficult to reverse unless it is by intense and unceasing devotion to God. They do not believe in pilgrimages or rites and for them the devotion must be carried out through the heart, spirit and soul of the person.

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Belief in only one God. For Sikhism there is God, but this is a Unique God: He is the Eternal Truth, The Creator, the Omnipotent Divine Spirit, someone who never has or feels fear, who has no hatred and in his heart there is no possibility for enmity. The Immortal Entity. Unborn, self-sufficient, made a reality by his own grace. It is believed in a pantheistic god, or more exactly panentheist. The first sentence of all Sikh scriptures are two words, reflecting the basis of the teachings: "Ik Onkar" ('[there is] one god') , in the Punjabi language, although it has its origin in the Sanskrit term 'eka omkara »('A single sound om'), where, eka: 'one' (number); om, a mantra representing Brahman (the non-person god of Hinduism); and kara: 'letter'.

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ੳ (onkar): represents God or transcendental power. It is the letter ura, the first letter of the Gurmuji alphabet, but with an extended tail. It is pronounced / onkar /, and represents all the power of the universe, controlled by God. According to Bhai Gurdas: "By writing 'one' (ik, ੧) at the beginning, it has been shown that God, who subsumes all forms in him, is one." In this it differs from the Holy Trinity (a single god in three divine persons, from Christianity) or from Trimurti (the three main gods of Hinduism).

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Sacred Book of Sikhism

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The holy book was elevated to the degree of living Guru by the last Sikh Guru, in the seventeenth century, who before dying indicated to his subjects that they should treat him as their next Guru. For the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib is not simply a book, it is a real Guru who serves as a guide to the people who decide to follow them. Sikhs consider the holy book as their eternal Guru, as it contains the precepts of the 10 Gurus of Sikhism. This book is considered an authority, its highest spiritual expression. He is treated with the utmost reverence and respect and is a source of inspiration. He is treated like royalty, he is cared for, he is covered if it is cold, heating is turned on to keep him warm or air conditioning if it is hot, he is considered a living being and a Guru.

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Small description of Sikhism:

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Sikhism is one of the religions of India, which emerged in the seventeenth century and is based on the belief in a superior being, making it a monotheistic religion. This religion is considered to represent the fusion or synthesis between Islamic Sufism that is opposed to the caste system and the Hindu tradition.

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Spiritual leaders are known as gurus and the Holy Book of the Sikhs is known as the Guru Granth Sahib. Its temples are called Gurdwaras.

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Reference:

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https://www.definicionabc.com/religion/sijismo.php

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http://elsersupremo.com/index.php/categorias/religion/272-sijismo

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