Is Sikhism a Religion?

Harwinder · #1 (**permalink**) 23-Mar-2012, 11:51 AM

OK for days now there is a question that's been bothering me. Is Sikhism a religion?
here is my reasoning for that. In Sikh faith it is said to believe that
there is no caste, creeds, "religion". All are equal correct,? So than why is it that Sikhism is considers a religion".

Some may argue that Sikhism is a way of life, Ok but that's what religion is, it has certain rules or teachings (for that matter) and sins you should not commit there for telling u "the way u should persue life".
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/38250-is-sikhism-a-religion.html

OK than can we conclude that Sikhism is all and everything is Sikhism? Since we are all equal and therefore all religion's thru out the world are hence forth a part of Sikhism as well in a sense. (Willing to alberate just wanted the idea out)

Now a common observation is understood and that is, religion is man made, creed and caste as well.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38250

So what is Sikhism? (Not beliefs) but category and its placement in this earth or universe for that matter.

Please help me organize this in my head. I wanna know your opinion and perspective.

Luckysingh · #2 (**permalink**) 23-Mar-2012, 13:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harwinder

OK for days now there is a question that's been bothering me. Is Sikhism a religion?
here is my reasoning for that. In Sikh faith it is said to believe that
there is no caste, creeds, "religion". All are equal correct,? So than why is it that Sikhism is considers a religion".
No caste, creeds and religion are superior, is what sikhism preaches.It does not deny that these exist though. At a time when low casts were not even allowed into a temple is when the needs for equality came about, thus sikhism was later estabilished. Yes, it is considered a religion, but one that recognizes and accepts other faiths. Sikhism is not the end product of mixing all religions but it understands that none are superior.

Some may argue that Sikhism is a way of life, Ok but that's what religion is, it has certain rules or teachings (for that matter) and sins you should not commit there for telling u "the way u should persue life".
A way of life is what sikhism is. It's not just about a person that attends a gurdwara, as anyone can attend but this does not make one a sikh. We have the rehat maryada- a code of conduct for all.-this makes it a way of life. So, the khalsa way of life plays a huge role in sikhism. When one lives the khalsa way of life, they are known as true sikhs. Although a way of life does not imply it's a religion such as hippies or gays for eg....-as these don't attach themselves to any specific religion.

OK than can we conclude that Sikhism is all and everything is Sikhism? Since we are all equal and therefore all religion's thru out the world are hence forth a part of Sikhism as well in a sense. (Willing to alberate just wanted the idea out)
You would need to elaborate on that to clarify exactly what you mean. But, we as sikhs respect all religions and don't regard non sikhs as infidels or unpure as such.
Now a common observation is understood and that is, religion is man made, creed and caste as well.
So what is Sikhism? (Not beliefs) but category and its placement in this earth or universe for that matter.
Religion is man made and so is sikhism, there were no commandments or such coming down from the heavens or any commands from the voice of God as such. The place of sikhism in the universe makes us understand that the creator and creation are the One and true almighty lord. Sikhism sees the creator as being the truth and central origin of the whole universe. It doesn't place any religion as central and recognized above others in the universe. Sikhism doesn't say it is the centre of the universe, it says only One God is everything.

Please help me organize this in my head. I wanna know your opinion and perspective.

Hope that answers your question.

Waheguru
Lucky Singh

Awakeand Singh · #3 (**permalink**) 23-Mar-2012, 14:42 PM

"Religion is man made and so is sikhism, there were no commandments or such coming down from the heavens or any commands from the voice of God as such."

Lucky ji, that's just what I'm wrestling with here. Judaism doesn't fit your definition, as it claims precisely that commandments did come down from the Heavens - and that the entire nation of some 2 and a half million people personally experienced the actual voice and presence of God. Both Christianity and Islam agree that this is just what happened, and base their own existence and creed on it. Compare this to any other belief system (including Sikhi), which is basically the vision/experience of a single individual.

akiva · #4 (**permalink**) 23-Mar-2012, 16:56 PM

WJKK, WJKF

The following page might be of help in answering the question:

http://veda.wikidot.com/dharma-and-religion
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38250

SSA
Akiva

prakash.s.bagga · #5 (**permalink**) 23-Mar-2012, 17:28 PM

If we carefully analyse the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji we should be able to conclude about what is Sikhi.
Sikhi can not be confined to any ism or dharam.Although religion is very much different from Dharam as envisaed in sanatan Dharam.
Sikhi is different from Religion and Dharam both.Sikhi is direct communication with the Creator .Sikhi is complete surrenderance to GuRu (Not any God like that).The teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji can elevate any Sikh to become like GuRoo.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38250
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38250
Sikhi is based on the very fundamental concept of "JAISA SEWE TAISA HOWE" that one becomes the same whom one serves.
A quote from Gurbanee reveals as
"GuRoo SIKHu Sikhu GRoo Hae Eko GuR Updes Chalae" pp 444 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Prakash.S.Bagga

BaljinderS · #6 (**permalink**) 23-Mar-2012, 21:54 PM

To me it wouldn't make a difference if other people thought it was a religion or not. Its the underlying principles and values that are important. People will commonly refer to it as a religion because its difficult to use another word for it.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38250

One thing I know for sure... that Sikhi is way of life... you live, breath and eat Sikhi. Your everyday actions,thoughts,values etc etc should be in line with Sikhi. I think you know what I mean. Only you can decide from your understanding what is these should be as there are no hard or fast rules in Sikhism.

Harwinder · #7 (**permalink**) 24-Mar-2012, 00:29 AM

Thank you everyone for your input. From what I have concluded we can say that Sikhism is a way of life. Yet it is regarded as a reigion. Sikhism is your everyday doings. It is how you perform life. Like when we eat, we chew chew and swallo. Same as we breathe, inhale and exhale.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38250
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38250

SIKH= to learn. This is greater than a religion, there is merely no word to define the teachings of the great guru's into a word but, just understand them. We are learning everyday for the betterment. Of oneself and a society.

Harwinder · #8 (**permalink**) 24-Mar-2012, 00:33 AM

The day we stop asking questions. We stop understanding and learning. It is human nature to know.

Randip Singh · #9 (**permalink**) 24-Mar-2012, 01:53 AM

Sikhism is life, it is learning, it is a code, it is a discipline, it is learning, it is knowledge, it is spirituality, it is physical discipline, it is mental discipline, it is compassion, it bravery, it is service, it is patience.........................after all this, it is a religion.