| Guru Arjun, the fifth Guru, compiled the writings and hymns of his predecessors into a volume of scriptures which was completed and put into its present form by Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Master. This volume, the Sir Guru Granth Sahib, is now recognized as the only living embodiment of the spirit of Guru Nanak and is held in highest reverence by all Sikhs. While Sikhs have resided in the U.S. since the first decade of the 20th century, Americans did not begin converting to Sikhism until after the arrival of Yogi Bhajan in 1969. BASIC BELIEFS: Sikh Dharma teaches that there is One God who created all beings. He is the One upon whom we all depend for our next breath and hence for our life. He is Self existent, Immortal, Immanent, Transcendent, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient. God is experienced through "Nam," meditation on the primal creative sound current which gives life to all creation. According to Guru Nanak, a Sikh should constantly praise the One Creator. This praise is given by chanting the Name of God, which in the original language is "Sat Nam" (God's Name is Truth) or "Wahe Guru" (Experience of Infinite Wisdom). Chanting God's Name is also done by repeating the mantra, "Ek Ong Kar Sat Nam Siri Wha Guru," which translates, "There is one Creator who has created this creation. Truth is His name. He is Great; He is all Wisdom." The Siri Guru Granth Sahib, the living embodiment of the Guru, is the supreme scriptural authority for all Sikhs. The Sikh tradition also has a number of other important compositions, including traditional biographies of Guru Nanak and the compositions of Guru Gobind Singh. The Sikh Rehit Maryada is a written code of ethics and protocol which all Sikhs are directed to obey. PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: The Sikh lifestyle is centered on the idea of the spiritual family, which may be achieved in community life. Members are directed to rise before sunrise and chant God's Name and meditate, to work by the sweat of their brow, share with others, and live righteously (put the needs of others first). Sikhs are encouraged to learn Gurmukhi, the language in which the scriptures are written. Traditional Holidays of the Sikh Dharma are Baisakhi Day (April 130 the birthday of the Khalsa; the Martyrdom Days of Guru Tegh Bhadur (in November) and Guru Arjun Dev (in May); and the birthdays of all ten of the Sikh Gurus, especially Guru Nanak (ca. November 25), Guru Gobind Singh (ca. December 22), and the birthday of Guru Ram Dass (ca. October 29). (The difficulty of specifying dates results from the tradition of celebrating the Gurus' birthdays on full moons.) ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Sikh Dharma in the West is led by the Khalsa Council, made up of the Mukhia Singh Sahibs (male regional ministers) and Mukhia Sardarni Sahibas (female regional ministers), as well as other ministers appointed by the Siri Singh Sahib. The Khalsa Council meets semi annually and is headed by a Secretary General. The regional ministers function as liaisons between the council and local congregations, each led by local ministers (a Singh Sahib or a Sardarni Sahiba). ROLE OF MINISTERS: Each local congregation is led by a minister, who is trained as a teacher and authorized by the Siri Singh Sahib to administer to the needs of all those who practice the Sikh way of life. WORSHIP: Group worship is stressed but not required. Daily worship at a Gurdwara (literally, "gate of the Guru" or temple) is recommended. The Sadhana (spiritual discipline) consists of reciting the "Banis" or Sikh prayers, meditation, yoga, and the chanting of God's Name. Minimally, Sikhs should maintain a copy of the Nit No or the daily prayers of the Sikh Dharma. Special facilities for worship are not required, although Sikhs traditionally worship together at a Gurdwara. DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: Sikhs are prohibited from eating fish, meat and fowl, and from consuming alcohol or any other intoxicant and drugs that are not medically indicated. FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: Sikhs are generally cremated. Ministers are not required at the time of death, but are required for the cremation ritual. Autopsies should not be performed on Sikhs because Sikhs are required to be cremated with their bodies intact. MEDICAL TREATMENT: Sikhs prefer natural methods of preventative medicine and healing (i.e., exercise, nourishing food, etc.). Allopathic procedures and/or surgery are, however, acceptable. OTHER: Sikhs have traditionally been outstanding soldiers, beginning with their own community's battle with local suppressive forces, and later as members of the British and Indian armies. They stress patriotism, freedom, and commitment to one's country. All Sikhs are directed by the order of the Tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, to wear a turban and to keep all of their hair uncut (including beards) and to keep their hair tied on top of the head in a turban. Uncut hair, known as kesh, is kept neat by a kangha, or comb. Sikhs also wear kachera, a special underwear originally designed to allow freedom of movement in battle; the kara, a steel bracelet which is a sign of an inseparable bond with God; and the kirpan, a dagger which represents the commitment of Sikhs to defend truth, righteousness, and those who cannot defend themselves (the tenets of the Sikh faith permit the symbolic carrying of a kirpan; e.g., in the form of a small replica of a sword). Ministers of the Sikh Dharma normally wear special dress: a long hemmed shirt (kurta) and churidars, which are a special kind of pants that fit closely from the knee to just above the ankle (very similar to jodhpurs). GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Cole, W. Owen, and Piara Singh Sambi. The Sikhs. London: Routledge and Degan Paul, 1978). 210pp. Johar, Surinder Singh. Handbook on Sikhism. Delhi: Vivek Pub. Co., 1977. 197pp. Macauliffe, Max A. The Sikh Religion. 6 vols. New Delhi: S. Chand & Co., 1978. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Mukhia Singh Sahib Ram Das Singh Khalsa 1038 So. Robertson Blvd., Suite One P.O. Box 35330 Los Angeles, CA 90035 (213) 659 8844 |
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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| Sikh Dharma |
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| ADDRESS: 1649 So. Robertson Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90035 OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN: None. LEADERSHIP: The S.G.P.C., located at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, is recognized as the chief administrative body of the Sikh religion in India. In 1971, Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji was ordained at a ceremony at the Akal Takht in Amritsar, India, to be both spiritual and administrative leader for the Sikh religion in the Western Hemisphere and Europe. NATIONAL LEADER: Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji (also known as Yogi Bhajan), but referred to by members as the Siri Singh Sahib. MEMBERSHIP: 250,000 in the U.S.; 17,000,000 Worldwide. HISTORICAL ORIGIN: The Sikh Dharma was founded in the 16th century as reform movement; it drew from the universal aspects of many religions, especially Hinduism and Islam. The founder was Guru Nanak (1469 1538),who was followed by a succession of nine other gurus,or teachers, who laid a firm foundation for the spiritual, social, and political community of Sikhs. |
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