A gurdwara is a place of assembly and worship for Sikhs. People from all faiths, and those who do not profess any faith, are welcomed in Sikh gurdwaras. Each gurdwara has a Darbar Sahib where the current and everlasting guru of the Sikhs, the scripture Guru Granth Sahib, is placed on a takhat in a prominent central position. The raagis recite, sing and explain, the verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, in the presence of the congregation.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Sikhism:
The Dasam Patishah Ji Da Granth, commonly known as Dasam Granth, is a religious text containing many of the texts traditionally attributed to Guru Gobind Singh. It is written primarily in Braj Bhasha, with Awadhi, Hindustani, Punjabi and Persian compositions written almost entirely in the Gurmukhi script except for the Fatehnama, Zafar Nama and Hikayat, which are in the Persian alphabet.
Jaap Sahib is the morning prayer of the Sikhs. The prayer was composed by the tenth Sikh Master, Guru Gobind Singh and is found at the start of the Sikh scripture Dasam Granth. This Bani is an important Sikh prayer, and is recited by the Panj Pyare while preparing Amrit on the occasion of Amrit Sanchar (initiation), a ceremony held to admit initiates into the Khalsa and it is a part of a Sikh's Nitnem. The Jaap Sahib is reminiscent of Japji Sahib composed by Guru Nanak, and both praise God.
Both Jainism and Sikhism are faiths native to the Indian subcontinent. Sikhism rejected the authority of the Vedas and created independent textual traditions based on the words and examples of their early teachers, eventually evolving entirely new ways for interacting with the lay community.
Panj Pyare, is the name collectively given to the five Sikh men, Bhai Dhaya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh by Guru Gobind Singh at the historic divan Anandpur Sahib on 14 April 1699. They formed the nucleus of the Khalsa, as the first batch to receive khanda di Pahul, i.e. rites of the two-edged sword.
Bhai Mani Singh was an 18th-century Sikh scholar and martyr. He was a childhood companion of Guru Gobind Singh and took the vows of Sikhism when the Guru inaugurated the Khalsa in March 1699. Soon after that, the Guru sent him to Amritsar to take charge of Harmandir Sahib, which had been without a custodian since 1696. He took control and steered the course of Sikh destiny at a critical stage in Sikh history.
Bhai Kanhaiya (1648–1718) was a Sikh (disciple) of Guru Tegh Bahadur and was requested to establish the Sevapanthi or Addanshahi order of the Sikhs by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He was known for pouring water for all the wounded members of the battlefield no matter whether they were Sikhs or fighting against the Sikhs.
The history of Sikhism started with Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru in the fifteenth century in the Punjab region in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. The religious practices were formalised by Guru Gobind Singh Ji on 13 April 1699. The latter baptised five persons from different social backgrounds to form Khalsa (ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ). The first five, Pure Ones, then baptised Gobind Singh into the Khalsa fold. This gives the order of Khalsa, a history of around 300 years.
Akhand Path is the common practise of continuous recitation of sacred religious texts in Sikhism.
Bhai Mati Das along with his younger brother Bhai Sati Das were martyrs of early Sikh history. Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Dayala, and Bhai Sati Das were executed at a kotwali (police-station) in the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi, under the express orders of Emperor Aurangzeb just before the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Bhai Mati Das was executed by being bound between two pillars and cut in two.
The Nankana massacre took place in Nankana Sahib gurdwara on 20 February 1921, at that time of British India, in modern-day Pakistan. more than a dozen Sikhs were killed by the Mahant and his mercenaries. The event forms an important part of Sikh history. In political significance, it comes next only to Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 1919. The saga constitutes the core of the Gurdwara Reform Movement started by the Sikhs in early twentieth century.
The Sikh Rehat Maryada is a code of conduct and conventions for Sikhism, approved by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar in 1945. It is one of many Rahitnama written for Sikhs.
Chandi di Var is a composition written by Guru Gobind Singh, included in the 5th chapter of Dasam Granth. It is based on an episode from the Sanskrit work Markandeya Purana, and describes the conflict between the Gods and the Demons. In the ballad, the supreme goddess is transformed into a liberating divine power in the form of sword, that crushes perpetuators of falsehood.
Sikh practices are simple, unprecise and practical guidelines laid out by the Gurus for the practice of the "Sikh way of life". The Gurus emphasise that a Sikh should lead a disciplined life engaged in Naam Simran, meditation on God's name, Kirat Karni, living an honest life of a house-holder, and Wand kay Shako, sharing what one has with the community. This translates into hard work, honest living, love of fellow humans and through them service of the God, the primal power. This way of life is said to have been stripped of complications, myths, jargon, rituals and exploitation of man by man in the name of religion. No benefits are gained by where and to which family the person is born to – All have to undertake the rigours of Simran (meditation) and Sewa to progress spiritually. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib asks the Sikh to "Practice truth, contentment and kindness; this is the most excellent way of life. One who is so blessed by the Formless Lord God renounces selfishness, and becomes the dust of all. (3)
Antam Sanskar refers to the funeral rites in originally Hinduism and then later in Sikhism also. Antam means "final", while sanskar means "rite".
Jathedar Bhai Tehal Singh Dhanju played an important role in awakening the Sikh masses during Gurdwara Reform Movement in the early quarter of the 20th century as also for the liberation of Sikh Gurdwaras from the corrupt Mohants. He is the leading Sikh figure among the list of Sikh martyrs who struggled for and volunteered the liberation of Gurdwara Nankana Sahib from the clutches of Mahant Narain Das on 20 February 1921. The supreme sacrifices made by Jathedar Bhai Tehal Singh and his other companions have been acknowledged by the grateful Sikh nation. From that day onwards, the Sikh nation remembers these brave Sikhs in their daily ardas (prayer). Every year on 21 February at this Shaheedi Asthan, Guru Granth Sahib's Swaroop with Bullet marks is brought to Deewan from 2pm to 4pm for darshan of the Sikh Sangat.
The Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar is the gurdwara of Dublin, Ireland. It has two main halls, Divan Hall and Langar Hall. Divan Hall is the main hall where the holy Guru Granth Sahib is kept.
The 52 Hukams are a set of instruction in Sikhism set by Guru Gobind Singh in Nanded, Maharashtra, India in 1708. These edicts sum up the ideal way of life of the Khalsa and serve as a code of conduct for the Khalsa Panth. Members of the Khalsa aim to follow all the 52 edicts though the authenticity and origin of Hukams can be questioned and they seem to be made in more modern times as the style of Punjab is quite modern but many of them come from older writings such as Bhai Nand Lal's Tankanama.
- Dharam dee kirat karnee — Make an honest living.
- Dasvand denaa — Donate a tenth share of your earnings.
- Gurbani kantth karnee — Learn Gurbani by heart.
- Amrit Velā utthnaa — Arise during Amritvela.
- Sikh sevak dee sevaa ruchee naal karnee — Devotedly serve the Sikh who serves others.
- Gurbani de arth Sikh vidhvanaa tuo parrhnae — Study the essence of Gurbani from learned Sikhs.
- Panj Kakaar dee rehit drirh kar rukhnee — Follow the discipline of The Five Ks strictly. Adhere resolutely to the five articles of faith.
- Shabad da abhiaas karnaa — Practice the sacred hymns to life.
- Sat Saroop Satgur daa dhian dharnaa — Contemplate and assimilate the beautiful truth of the True Enlightener.
- Guru Granth Sahib Jee noo Guru mananaa — Believe in and accept Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the Guide to enlightenment.
- Kaarjaan dae arambh vich ardaas karnee — When undertaking any task, first perform the prayer of Ardās.
- Janam, maran, ja viah mokae jup da paatth kar tihaaval kar anand sahib dia punj paurian, ardaas, pratham panj pyaariaan atae hazooree granthee noo vartaa kae oprunth sangat noo vartaaouna — For birth naming, funeral, or marriage ceremonies or devotional reading paath, recite Japji Sahib while making Karah Parshad, perform five verses of Anand Sahib, and ardaas, and then distribute Karah Prashad to the Panj Pyare, attending Granthi, and then to the sangat gathered for worship.
- Jad tak Karaah Parshaad vartadaa rahae sadh sangat addol batthee rahae — Until Karaah Parshaad has been served to everyone, the congregation ought to be still and remain seated.
- Anand viah binaa grahist nahee karnaa — Without Anand marriage ceremony carnal relations should not occur.
- Par istree, ma bhain, dhee bhain, kar jaananee. Par istree da sang nahee karnaa — Other than your wedded wife, consider all women as your mothers and sisters. Do not indulge in carnal marital relationships with them.
- Istree da mooh nahee phitkaarnaa — Do not subject your wife to cursing, or verbal abuse.
- Jagat jootth tambaakoo bikhiaa da tiaag karnaa — Discard worldly ways, falsehoods, and poisonous tobacco.
- Rehitvaan atae naam jupan vaalae gursikhaa dee sangat karnee — Make companions of Gursikhs who follow the Rehit and recite the Divine Name.
- Kum karan vich daridar nahee karnaa — Work hard and don't be lazy.
- Gurbanee dee kathaa tae keertan roaz sunanaa atae karnaa — Take part in listening to Kirtan and discussions of the essence of Gurbani every day.
- Kisae dee ninda, chugalee, atae eirkhaa nahee karnee — Do not gossip nor slander, or be spiteful to anyone.
- Dhan, javaanee, tae kul jaat da abhiman naee karnaa — Do not be proud of riches, youthfulness or lineage.
- Mat uchee tae suchee rakhnee — Maintain a high standard of purity in religious discipline.
- Shubh karman tao kadae naa ttarnaa — Do not avoid performing virtuous acts.
- Budh bal da daataa vaheguroo noo jaananaa — Appreciate intellect and power as gifts of the all knowing wondrous Enlightener.
- Sugandh dae kar itbaar janaaoun vaalae tae yakeen nahee karnaa — Have no faith in oaths sworn by one attempting to convince another of sincerity.
- Sutantar vicharna. Raaj Kaaj dian kamaan tae doosrae mutaa dia purshaan noo huk nahee daenaa — Maintain independent rule. In the affairs of governing, do not give the power of religious authority to those of other faiths.
- Raajnitee parhnee — Study and learn about governmental policies.
- Dushman naal saam, daam, bhaed, aadiak, upaa vartnae ate uprant udh karnaa — When dealing with enemies, practice diplomacy, employ a variety of tactics, and exhaust all techniques before engaging in warfare.
- Shaster vidyaa atae ghorhae di savaari da abhiaas karnaa — Train in the skills of weaponry and horsemanship.
- Doosrae mataa dae pustak, vidyaa parhnee. Pur bhrosaa drirh Gurbanee, Akaal Purakh tae karnaa — Study the books and beliefs of other faiths. But maintain trust in Gurbani and Akal Purakh [Undying divine personification].
- Guroopdaesaa noo dhaaran karnaa — Follow the Guru teachings.
- Raheraas da paath kar kharae ho kae ardaas karnee — After reciting Rehras [evening prayers], stand up and perform Ardās.
- Saun valae sohilaa atae 'paun guru pani pita...' salok parhnaa — Recite the late evening prayer Sohila and the verse "Pavan guru pani pita..." before sleeping.
- Dastaar binaa nahee rehnaa — Never be without the turban, wear it always.
- Singhaa da adhaa naam nahee bulaunaa — Address a Singh by their entire name including Singh [or Kaur], do not shorten it by half or call them nicknames.
- Sharaab nai saevanee — Do not indulge in drinking alcoholic beverages.
- Sir munae noo kanaiaa nahee daenee. Uos ghar daeve jithae Akal Purukh dee sikhee ha, jo karza-ai naa hovae, bhalae subhaa da hovae, bibaekee atae gyanvaan hovae — Do not given a daughter's hand in marriage to a shaven one. Give her to a household where the Undying divine personification Akal purakh and tenets of Sikhism are respected, to household without debt, of a pleasing nature, which is disciplined and educated.
- Subh kaaraj Gurbanee anusaar karnae — Maintain all business affairs in accordance with scripture.
- Chugalee kar kisae da kam nahee vigaarnaa — Do not cause ruin by gossiping about other's business.
- Kaurha bachan nahee kahinaa — Do not speak in bitterness.
- Darshan yaatraa gurdwaaraa dee hee karnee — Make pilgrimages only for seeing Gurdwaras.
- Bachan karkae paalnaa — Keep all promises made.
- Pardaesee, lorvaan, dukhee, apung manukh dee yataahshkat seva karnee — Do as much possible to serve and aid foreigners, those in need, or in trouble.
- Putaree da dhan bikh jananaa — Realize that eating a daughter's property is like having poison.
- Dikhaavae da Sikh nahee banana — Do not act a Sikh outwardly only for show.
- Sikhi kesaa-suaasa sang nibhaaounee — Live and die a Sikh with hair intact and unshorn.
- Chori, yaari, tthugi, dhokaa, dagaa nahee karnaa — Abstain from thievery, adultery, cheating, deception, swindling and pillaging.
- Sikh da itbaar karnaa — Have confidence in a Sikh.
- Jhutthi gavaahee nahee daenee — Do not make false statements.
- Dhroh nahee karnaa — Do not participate in fraud.
- Langar Parshaad ik ras vartaaunaa — Serve Langar (Sikhism) and prashad with impartiality.
Amrit Sanchar is the Sikh ceremony of initiation or baptism. The Amrit Sanchar is the initiation rite introduced by Guru Gobind Singh when he founded the Khalsa in 1699.
