Sikhism or sikhi, is the youngest of the world religions, is barely five hundred and thirty five years old. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh faith, was born in 1469 in an age of inquiry, not only into the realms of physical universe lying unexplored, but also into the inmost nature of man. Man was in search not only of what lay outside of him, but also in search of himself. Guru Nanak spread a simple message of “Ek Ong Akaar”; we are all one created by the One God of all Creation. This was at the time when India was torn apart by the caste systems, sectarianism, religious fractions, and fanaticism. He aligned with no religion and respected all religions. He expressed the reality that there is ONE GOD and many paths for realization, and the manifestation of God is Truth, “SAT NAAM”.
Guru Nanak’s followers are called the Sikhs (seekers of the Truth). The term ‘Sikh’ is often interpreted to mean a disciple in Sanskrit, but actually it derives its origin from Pali and means—the elect, or in Sikh parlance, chosen (by God), God’s own. He taught them to bow only before God, and to link themselves to the Guru, the Light of Truth, who lives always in direct consciousness of God, experiencing no separation. Through Gurbani (Aad Siri Guru Granth Sahib, AGGS) and examples, the Guru demonstrates to the followers how to experience God within themselves, bringing them from darkness to light. Guru Nanak was a humble bearer of this Light of the Truth. He opposed superstition; injustice, hypocrisy and inspired seekers by singing divine hymns (Shabads), which touched the hearts of most callous listeners. These shabads were recorded by him and successor Sikh Gurus and compiled by the fifth Guru, Arjan Dev in 1604, and formed the beginnings of the Sikhs sacred writings, later to become the “Aad Siri Guru Granth Sahib.”
Sikh’s Creed and God
Sikhs believe that there is only One God.
ONE INFINITE WISDOM, ONE WORLD
· God created the universe, and the universe depends on God’s Will for its sustenance.
· God has always existed and always will exist.
· God needs nothing else in order to continue to exist.
· God has no form (shape), and no gender.
· God has never taken and will never take human form on earth.
· The essence of God is Truth.
· The God is inimical and fearless.
God reaches out to the humanity through the ‘word’, which is conveyed by the Gurus, or teachers, and which is laid down in the form of sabds, or hymns, that forms the backbone of Sikh worship.
1 -[Sikhism]
2 -[Sikhism : Basic Sikh teachings]
3 -[Sikhism : Guru Nanak taught his way of life:]
4 -[Sikhism : The Divine Chain of Sikh Gurus]
5 -[Sikhism : Aad Siri Guru Granth Sahib]
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