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Originally Posted by simon949  I am more interested in Hinduism but I'm unfamiliar with Sikhism but it might be interestin to hear of both!!! |
Simon949 Ji,
I add some basic information about the three religions, Sikhi, Christianity and Hinduism. Hope you find it of value.
Brief differences in Sikhi and Christianity
Sikhi started with Guru Nanak (born in 1469) and was perfected by nine subsequent Gurus – the last being Guru Gobind Singh. The ‘religion’ started at a very opportune time when the Hindu majority was under attack by the Brahmanic lack of direction and torturous Moslem rule. The last Guru created the present form of Sikhi and presented a Granth Sahib with all necessary teachings to keep to the track we believe leads to independent, peaceful, and spiritually profitable life.
Physical looks: a Sikh carries five Ks on his/her person - unshorn hair, a sword, a steel bangle, a comb, and special underwear that is considered acceptable with or without trousers. Sikh males wear a turban to protect the hair and women can wear a turban but majority wear a scarf to cover their hair.
Brief comparison of Sikhi and Christianity
Sikhi believes in ONE God unlike Trinity in Christianity.
The God is Truth, everywhere, infinite, Infallible, forgiving, has no fear, has no hatred, is not born, does not die, has no form, and cannot be explained.
Sikhs do not believe in Sin, Heaven, Hell, or religious sacrifices. Sikhs do not go along the statement “Christ sacrificed his life for the Sins of Humanity” Sikhs believe every person must play his/her part to be on the right side of the Lord God. (The right side is explained in detail and examples in the Sikh Holy Book Granth Sahib)
Sikhs do not believe in Devil, Angels or Miracles – God is present in us all (in fact in everything) and by conquering our weaknesses can awaken God inside us and be one with God Infinite.
Unlike in Christianity the world creation (was not created in seven days) was created by ‘One Word’ (may be akin to Big Bang theory) and can easily be destroyed similarly. Sikhi believes in hundreds of thousands of worlds, stars, and galaxies.
Sikhs, like Christians, believe in soul but Sikhs believe the soul is immortal i.e. that is the part that merges with the Infinite on death of a being.
The knowledge and teachings in Granth Sahib is considered to be “Sikh Guru” available to all who choose to follow it. It was written by the Gurus themselves unlike Scripture of other great religions.
Sikhs do not believe in abusing the human body by cutting hair or other parts like circumcision in case of Jews and Muslims.
Sikhs gather in places like Gurdwara which is socio-cultural gathering, exchange ideas, learn teachings of Granth Sahib and share food and generally practice unconditional Seva. Any person is allowed in these gatherings as long as they respect other people and their customs, are not under influence of drugs, respect the Granth Sahib, and food.
Men and women are considered equal and can carry out all the necessary duties related to Sikh religion.
Sikhi and Hindu Religion
Hinduism is a life system with very old roots. The knowledge is based on Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Sutras, Simritis, Geeta and Puranas – later the Upanishads were added as interpretations and re-interpretation of above literature. If one asks a Hindu what is their religious Scripture – 90% have no idea what they are following and rest choose what ever suits them.
The information in these Scriptures relates to story of rulers of India about 4000 to 3000BC and is in the form of mythology. The Scriptures were written around 1000BC. There is no religious content in any of the scriptures (the general knowledge therein is accepted by all) that was worth adding into Sikh Granth Sahib. The Granth Sahib discusses that by the writings of the Gurus and other contributors both Hindu and Moslem.
However Hindus consider the ‘Vedas divine and their authority can not be questioned’. Followers of Vedas pray to numerous gods (330,000,000 or more) depending on what one desires of them. Sikhs believe in only One God and do not use pictures or other deities for prayers as do Hindus. Vedas suggest making offerings (Dakshana) to Brahmins and this is the way they make their living from ordinary people. There is some agreement on Creation between Sikh and Hindu philosophy.
For Vedas to be of spiritual value they should offer highest quality moral and religious standards. This is not the case and unlike Sikhi, in social context we find Vedas have mantras to harm others, full of conceits, quaint fancies, sexual orgies, contradictions, condone and encourage dowry system, preach elaborate sacrifices (not self sacrifice as in Sikhi), condone child marriages, treat woman as property or slaves, practice cast system, and magic etc. Non Hindus and Shudras are forbidden to read Vedas and Geeta and other Scriptures whereas the Sikh Granth Sahib is meant for all whether Sikh or not.
As one can see there are not many similarities between Hindu and Sikh Scriptures and beliefs.
SPN contains lots more information on these and other subjects and any specifics may be shared with members and visitors to the site.
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