Sikhism - Main Page

Sikhism was founded against a backdrop of longstanding religious bigotry and hatred between Hindus and Muslims.  Historians and specialists in Eastern religions generally believe that Sikhism is a syncretistic religion, originally related to the Bhakti movement within Hinduism and the Sufi branch of Islam, to which many independent beliefs and practices were added.

Some Sikhs believe that their religion is a re-purification of Hinduism; they view Sikhism as a Hindu religious tradition.
Many Sikhs disagree; they believe that their religion is a direct revelation from God–a religion that was not derived from either Hinduism or Islam.
 
However the religion came about, the founder is credited to Guru Nanak, approximately 500 years ago. He was inspired by Kabirdas, a Hindu Muslim who spent his life preaching that the two major faiths had aspects that were right and also beliefs that were awry, like the caste system. His teachings were not accepted by the orthodox hierarchies of his time, but were attractive to the ordinary people.

During his lifetime, Guru Nanak, inspired by these teachings of Kabir, shaped a unique and distinct religion that became known as Sikhism.  His belief was that God was neither Hindu nor Muslim, and he would follow God's path only.  Sikh is derived from the word Sisya (disciple). Sikhism does not have priests, which were abolished by a later Guru who felt that priests had become corrupt and full of ego.  The word 'Guru' in Sikhism means the descent of divine guidance to mankind provided through Ten Enlightened Masters. Starting with Guru Nanak, the divine spirit was passed from one Guru to the next with the last Guru ending in 1708.  Thereafter Sikhs only have custodians of the Guru Granth Sahib (granthi), the Sikh Holy Scriptures and any Sikh is free to read the Guru Granth Sahib in the Gurdwara (a Sikh temple) or in their home.
 
All people of all religions are welcome to the Gurdwara, the center of Sikh worship, but the Gurdwara's are more than that.  A free community kitchen can be found at every Gurdwara which serves meals to all people of all faiths. Guru Nanak first started this institution based on the Sikh principles of service, humility and equality.

Under the stewardship of the Ten Gurus, Sikhism was able to gather many followers from other religions, but not without much persecution along the way. Although the Gurus were outspoken about other religions they strongly believed in religious freedom. They also emphasized that the remembrance of God at all times and the leading of a decent and honorable life, as the most important thing.

One of the greatest holy sites in the world is the center for the Sikhs–Harmiandir Sahib–(The Golden Temple) at Amritsar in the state of Punjab in northern India. It is the inspirational and historical center of Sikhism. All places where Sri Guru Granth Sahib are placed are considered equally holy for Sikhs.

A way of life and philosophy well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years ago, the Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide and is ranked as the worlds 5th largest religion. Sikhism's message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind, social justice and denouncing blind rituals draws many new converts to itself.