wjkk
wjkf
sema ji read the article below it will give you some information
about sikhs
The majority of Sikhs are from the province of Punjab in India, but not all the residents of Punjab are Sikhs. Punjab, which means the land of five rivers, is located in northeast India. Although the Sikhs are a small minority group within India (the Sikh population makes up less than two percent of the country's inhabitants), they contribute significantly to the nation's agricultural production. Punjab is called the "breadbasket" of India because its fertile valleys and easy access to water supplies are ideal for farming. Generations of hard work by the people have made it one of the wealthiest Indian provinces.
The Sikh religion originated with Guru Nanak, in c.1500 AD. (Guru denotes "a holy man who dispels ignorance or darkness, called Gu, and proclaims enlightenment, called Ru.") Guru Nanak taught people to believe in one supreme God and preached that getting married, raising a family and working hard were the foundations of a religious life. The definition of the word Sikh means "disciple." Sikhs believe in the teachings of the Ten Gurus, which are enshrined in the Sikh holy book, called the "Guru Granth Sahib." This book is an important component of Sikh celebrations and functions. The “Guru Granth Sahib” contains 5894 hymns of the six Gurus and various teachings of Hindu and Muslim saints from India. The culture of the Sikhs is largely affected by their religious beliefs - every important Sikh ceremony is performed in the presence of the Holy Granth.
The last Guru, Gobind Singh, expanded the religion to the brotherhood of the Sikhs. He taught that the Sikhs were to throw off all divisions of caste, colour and creed, and adopt the common surname of "Singh" for men and "Kaur" for women. Gobind Singh also established baptism for the Sikhs, called the Khalsa brotherhood. In this ceremony, a Sikh is baptized and becomes an orthodox Sikh, embodying the five symbols of Sikhism. As brothers of the same family, all Sikhs resemble each other by wearing the five K symbols:
"Kesh" (uncut hair): The hair is a symbol of faith, and keeping long hair confirms a Sikh's belief in the acceptance of God's will, and teaches them humility and acceptance.
"Kangha" (wooden comb): Sikhs use a small wooden comb because it symbolizes cleanliness and serves as a reminder to keep their mind clear of impure thoughts.
"Karra" (steel bracelet): Sikhs wear a steel bracelet on the right wrist, to show their bond to the Guru and among themselves in the brotherhood of Khalsa.
"Kachha" (short breeches): Sikhs wear a pair of shorts that are slightly longer than underwear, which symbolize a high moral character.
"Kirpaan" (blade): Sikhs wear a blade, approximately, 6" - 9", on their bodies to symbolize self-respect and self-defense. It is an insult to refer to this article of Sikh faith as a knife.
Sikh male adults wear a dastar, or turban, to demonstrate their commitment to Sikhism. Turbans made from a piece of material five metres long and one metre wide that is turned clockwise around the head six times. The turban is replaced by a small scarf, a patka, which keeps the hair in place during swimming and sports. (Many young Sikhs wear a patka most of the time.) Learning and mastering the tying of a turban begins when boys are 8 - 10 years old. Turban colour is at the discretion of the wearer with no restrictions or dress codes. Sikh women are also required to cover their heads, usually with a long scarf called a chunni. Sikhs who follow all of these religious requirements are called Amritdharis, or Khalsa. People who observe only some of the teachings are called Sahajdharis. Many Indo-Canadians in Abbotsford today have adopted Canadian customs but still practice the Sikh religion.
_________________
Treat everyone with politeness
even those who are rude to you
not because they are not nice,
but because you are nice
Back to top