A Brief Introduction to Sikhs and Sikhism

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A Brief Introduction toSikhs and Sikhism
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• The word Sikh is translated as a disciple,
  Sikhs are disciples of the 10 human Gurus and the
  Guru Granth Sahib.
• Founder Guru Nanak (1469 1539 CE), born in
  the Punjab, North India.
• GU RU teacher. Light/dark. Therefore dispeller
  of darkness (ie IGNORANCE).
• Sikhism developed in the Punjab, therefore the
  majority of the Panth is made up of Punjabi
  Sikhs. More recently, there have been many
  western non-Punjabi Sikhs entering the Panth
  3HO (Yogi Bhajan).
• Early followers of the Gurus were Punjabi Hindus,
  the issue of identity is a subject that is a
  debated topic to the current day also - the
  constitution of India defines Sikhs as a type of
  Hindu. The break with Hinduism is a schism that
  is often debated and very often a sensitive
  issue.

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Who is a Sikh?

• The Rehat Maryada which is a guide to the Sikh
  way of life, defines a Sikh as one who
• Worships one God only, does not indulge in
  idol worship. Lives a life based on the
  teachings of the ten Gurus, the Guru Granth
  Sahib, and other scriptures and teachings of the
  Gurus. A Sikh should believe in the Onenessof
  the ten Gurus, and should have no other
  religion. Rehat Maryada p. 12
• Namdhari implications of above
• Constitution of India Hindus
• Sahajdhari Sikhs Hindus? (Khushwant Singh)

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Symbols/emblems for Sikhism