Sikhism Religion History
Sikhism is based upon the teachings of Guru Nanak and the ten successive Gurus in Punjab in the 15th century. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world today, and its teachings and philosophy are known as Gurmat and also the Sikh Dharma. This is a religion that is based upon the teaching of Gurus, and is an ordered discipline that focuses on moral behavior and everyday life.
Sikhism is centered on the belief in Waheguru, or the Universal God. In that sense, like many of the most popular religions of today, it is monotheistic in nature. The pursuit of eternal Salvation is taught through a life of discipline, individual meditation on the name of God, and total devotion to following God’s message and teachings. The unique aspect of Sikhism is the view of God and God’s nature. With a non-anthropomorphic concept of God, Sikhism does not see God as a figure that looks like a human in form. In fact, the God of Sikhism can be described as the Universe itself.
Followers of Sikhism follow the teachings of the 10 gurus. They are the enlightened leaders that are responsible for the Holy Scripture known as the Guru Granth Sahib. The text was decreed by the 10th guru. It is written based upon the history, society, and culture of Punjab, the location where Sikhism originated. Followers of Sikhism are known as Sikhs, and there are nearly 23 million of them across the globe. Today, the majority of Sikhs live in Punjab of India, and many lived in what is now Pakistani Punjab.
When Nanak was teaching the lessons of Sikhism, he was disapproving of the religious beliefs that he saw around him. In fact, this is how many profits begin to teach new religions and beliefs; from a place of religious dissatisfaction. Nanak described Sikhism as "Realization of Truth is higher than all else. Higher still is truthful living.” Therefore, Sikhism teaches equality of all humans, and is fully against any form of discrimination based upon caste, creed, or sex. It stresses not asceticism in finding salvation, but in the act of leading an honest life at home with a family.
God in Sikhism is described as “shapeless, timeless, and sightless”. God is considered omnipresent, omnipotent, and infinite. Therefore, it was God who created the cosmos and everything inside of it. Therefore, God is something that is beyond human grasp and is totally unknowable. Spiritual awakening comes from seeking God everywhere and in everything, and praising these physical manifestations of God.
Meditation on God and seeing the It within your own heart is considered the path to true enlightenment. God has no sex in Sikhism and is thus very universal to everyone gender, creed, and background.
