history of asia - sikhism

origins

15th century

what was happening religiously in India

time of religious reform in India

founder of sikhism

contemporary to

Martin Luther (1483 - 1538)

total amount of gurus

10 total gurus

what did the found of sikhism want to do

wanted to “purify” islam, hindu, and buddhism

it is independent of

islam, buddhist, or hindu

second guru

Guru Angad (active 1530 - 1532)

Written text

Guru Granth Sahib

• treated like an actual person

• only remaining Guru

• explains how to be a good person

sikhism opposed

caste system and discrimination

Mughal Emperor

was muslim, worked together with Guru for rebellion to try make him a little more tolerant to sikhism, didn’t work, emperor retaliated and killed sikhs, military portion of sikhism grows to defend

The tenth Guru

Guru Gobind Singh (ruled 1675 -1708)

importance of 10th Guru: Guru Gobind Singh (ruled 1675 -1708)

• urged all folowers to adpot Singh surname, Singh = “lion”

• urged men to grow out hair and dont consume alcohol and tobacco

• grew sikh into political + military power

• declared himself last Guru

women in Sikhism

• had freedom

• not confined in home

• no purdan or sati, thought it dehumanized women

purdan

the covering to body, staying only at home

sati

ritual suicide women were forced to do when husband died

religious teachings

• responsibility of Guru: dispel ignorance and darkness

• 20 million Sikhs worldwide

God on Sikhism

• indescribable

• formless

• genderless

belief on how to live good life

• keep God in life

• work hard

• treat everyone kindly

Khanda

symbol of faith, two swords

Gurdwara

place of worship, means door to Guru

Sikh place of worship and cannon

• unadorned

• Scripture: Guru Granth Sahib

• four doors: symbolism of peace, livelihood, learning , grace

• all humble; don’t point feet to scripture

Amritsar: Golden Temple

• Amrit=nectar; sar=pool

• Holy Pool of Nectar

• place of pilgrimage in Punjab

• comissioned by 4th Guru

Five K's

• uncut hair

• steel bracelet

• wooden comb

• cotton undergarment

• steel sword

• est. 1699

Uncut Hair

Kesh, holy source of strength and power

Steel bracelet

kara, physical link to Guru, plain steel, circle of life, physical reminder

wooden comb

Kanya, cleanliness of body, neat and tidy, body is vehicle to enlightenment

Cotton Undergarment

Kachera, Chasidy

Steel sword

Kirpan, can be any size, defender of good, struggle against injustice

Biggest Sikh population in Northern CA

Yuba City

• annual Sikh parade

• 2016 largest Sikih gathering outside of India: 100,000 people gathered

Sikhism to northern CA

• arrived to US in early 20th century

• fled violent British rule

• sought work on rail road

Sikh diet

eat meat