Question

Describe the central beliefs of the Sikhs and how they compare to those of other Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

Describe how the teachings of Sikhism are expressed and put into practice in the gudwara, langar, and in the Khalsa.

Answer 1

1. Central beliefs of Sikhs:

• Sikhism eloquent through the scriptures and literature of Guru Granth Sahib, which includes faith and meditation.

• Sikhism follows sacred unity and equality among mankind, which encourages selfless love, justice, and kindness for the prosperity of mankind.

• Sikhism believes in the supreme power of God without form and gender. They believe that every human can see and feel God.

• They treat every human with respect and equality.

• Sikhism preaches to respect and treat God with respect and belief. Sikhs focus on leading the spiritual life and meditate on the path of God.

• Sikhs believe in the action of spiritual reincarnation, and the cycle of life comprising birth to rebirth.

• They believe in the law of Karma, where actions determine the quality of leading life. They believe in the past actions that influence the future of leading the life in the next births.

• Sikhs believe to gain immense knowledge and connection with God’s mind.

• Sikhs experience the supreme power and unity with the meditative power of God.

• They demand liberation through following God by meditative powers.

• Sikhs believe that God lies within every human being irrespective of their physical or mental states. Hence, every human is susceptible to change with experiences and perceptions.

Comparison of Sikhism with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism:

Similarities:

• These religions have a universal loving and kindness theme through the teachings of the principles in the scriptures and literature.

• Human beings show love, respect, and kindness to each other, live in harmony and be open-minded to the differences among the people.

• The religions believe in the oneness and spiritual teachings of teachers, philosophers, and writers who showed the humans a path for attaining positivity and satisfaction.

• Human beings practice the art of spiritual education through religious devotion and encourage humans to lead a positive life.

Differences:

• Hinduism follows the scriptures and literature called Veda and Upanishads. Buddhism and Jainism do not follow any scriptures. Sikhs follow the path of Guru Granth Sahib as their supreme entity.

• Hinduism believes in the soul's oneness. Jainism preaches about the supreme self. Buddhists do not believe in the supreme self but believe in the mind's virtue. Sikhs believe in the universal supreme self and does not believe that the human body comprises the universal soul.

• Hinduism believes in a higher the consciousness of supremacy, whereas Buddhism and Jainism religions reject the preaching.

• Hinduism believes in the longevity of racial pride and respect the ancestral generation. Jainism and Buddhism do not believe in the teachings.

• Sikhism preaches about the oneness of a universal God while other religions do not follow the same belief.

• Hinduism follows the morality of one principle. Jains believe in Arhats and Buddhists follow the preaching of polytheism.

2. Teachings of Sikhism are expressed as follows:

• Sikhism focusses on the meditative powers of Guru Granth Sahib that expresses musical connection through recitation. Also, Sikhs internally repeat God’s name in their mind to experience God.

• Sikhism preaches the devotes to transition their five motives such as desire, ego, attraction, avarice, and anger. They believe that human beings can attain liberation if they change these motives.

• Sikhism believes in the spiritual's oneness supreme power and perceive that humans can worship God without rituals and priests.

• Sikhism believes that every human is equal regardless of their social class and demographics. Sikhs treat every human being equally and respect their kindness.

• Sikhs believe that duties include praying, working and delivering to the society. They respect God’s teachings and maintain the preaching of spirituality in their minds.

• Sikhs believe in the sacred worshiping of God and abide by the principles of Guru Granth Sahib to find God within every human being.

• Example: Sikhs avoid criminal activities such as rape, murder and do not indulge in gambling, addiction, and begging.

Practicing of Sikhism in Gurdwara:

• Sikhs worship in Gurdwara, which means the path to worshiping the supreme deity. Gurdwara has a flag called Khanda which is Sikh’s power and strength.

• There is a main hall called Divan hall where Guru Granth Sahib is present.

The purpose of Gurdwara is to:

• Enhance the spiritual power and teachings of the Guru.

• Area for performing religious rituals

• People learn the ethics, values, culture, faith, and other religious norms of Sikhism

• Gurdwara offers food and friendship to the people

• Gurdwara does not include statues because Sikhs believe in worshiping God with no physical presence.

• Sikhs follow the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib and respect him as the Guru in their scriptures.

Practicing of Sikhism in Langar:

• Guru Granth Sahib started Langar among the communities of Sikhs to spread love and equality among the groups in the society.

• Sikhism religion believes in the practice of Langar, a kitchen that offers people of all religions and castes to eat together.

• The Langar helps the religions to promote unity, love, respect, and kindness towards each other.

• The Langar helps the people to preach about oneness and equality irrespective of religion, language, color, and gender.

• Guru Granth Sahib opposed the Hindu caste system, which does not believe in respect and equality.

Practicing of Sikhism in Khalsa:

• Guru Gobind Singh started Khalsa which beliefs in the duty and respect towards innocent people.

• The Khalsa community objected to religious sentiments among innocent people in society.

• Khalsa changed the beliefs of Sikh traditions and cultures.

• Sikhs planned the religious ceremony, norms, and regulations of Khalsa soldiers.

• Sikhs celebrate the establishment of Khalsa during the Vaisakhi festival.