The following outline is provides an overview of Sikhism, or Sikhi (its endonym).
Sikhism has been described as being either a panentheistic or monotheistic religion—emphasizing universal selflessness and brotherhood—founded in the 15th century upon the teachings of Guru Nanak and the ten succeeding Gurus. It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world, and one of the fastest-growing.
The sacred text and last Guru of Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib, teaches humans how to unite with the all cosmic soul; with God, the creator: "Only those who selflessly love everyone, they alone shall find God."
Scripture and literature
Scripture Guru Granth Sahib — the sacred text and last Guru of Sikhism Asa Di Var — 24 stanzas used as a morning prayer Bhattan De Savaiye Japji Sahib — the first 8 pages of the Guru Granth Sahib, consisting of hymns composed by Guru Nanak. Kirtan Sohila Laavaan — the four hymns of the Anand Karaj (Sikh wedding ceremony) Mul Mantar — the opening words of the Guru Granth Sahib, citing the basic statement of creed in Sikhism. Rehras — evening prayer Sukhmani Sahib ('Psalm of Peace') — a popular set of hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib, divided into 24 sections Ragmala Dasam Granth — the secondary holy book of Sikhism 33 Savaiye Benti Chaupai Chandi di Var Jaap Sahib — a morning prayer consisting of an introductory sloka, 38 stanzas (pauris), and a concluding sloka attributed by some to Guru Angad. Tav-Prasad Savaiye (or Amrit Savaiye) — short composition of 10 stanzas, as part of nitnem Sarbloh Granth — a voluminous scripture consisting of more than 6,500 poetic stanzas, considered as amalgamation of the writings of poets including Guru Gobind Singh. Varan Bhai Gurdas — the name given to the 40 vaars (a form of Punjabi poetry) wrriten attributed by Bhai Gurdas, providing early concepts of Sikhism and Sikh living.Singh, Pritama. 1992. Bhai Gurdas. pp. 33–36. .
Sikh literature
Guru Maneyo Granth — historic statement of the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Janamsakhi — non-canonical history of Guru Nanak Bala Janamsakhi — a collection of janamsakhis by Bhai Bala (generally accepted as authoritative). Mani Singh Janamsakhi or Gyan ratanavali — a collection dating from the time of the last Guru. Miharban Janamsakhi — janamsakhis written by the followers of Prithi Chand. Puratan Janamsakhi — an early collection of janamsakhis by an unknown author. Panth Parkash — non-canonical Sikh history Suraj Parkash — non-canonical Sikh history Zafarnama — letter by Guru Gobind Singh to Aurangzeb
Associated terms Ardās Bhagat Bani — any of the writings that appear in the Guru Granth Sahib which were not written by the Gurus. Gurbani (abbreviated as bani) — general term for Gurus' writings Gutka — a small sized breviary or prayer book containing chosen hymns (banis) from Sikh scriptures Nitnem — daily recitations Paath Savaiya — a form of poetry written in praise of someone, in which every verse is 1/4 times the length of a common verse. Shabda — the hymns contained in Sikh scriptures. Sloka — 'stanza'; the Sanskrit epic metre formed of 32 syllables: verses of 2 lines (distich) of 16 syllables each or in 4 half-lines (hemistich) of 8 syllables each.
Philosophy and beliefs
Waheguru — God Akal Akal Purakh Ik Onkar (or Ek Onkar) Monoism Nirguna Nirbau, Nirvair — Without fear and Without hate Sarav viāpak Sarguna Satguru — 'true God' Satnam — '[God's] name is true' 3 pillars of Sikhism Naam Japo — meditation on the name of God Kirat Karo — earning a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud Vand Chhako — sharing with others; helping those with less or those who are in need 5 Virtues Sat — 'truth' Santokh — 'contentment, satisfaction' Daya — 'compassion, kindness' Nimrata — 'humility, benevolence' Pyaar — 'love' Bole So Nihal Charhdi Kala — the aspiration to maintain a mental state of eternal optimism and joy. Five Thieves Kaam — 'lust' Krodh — 'anger, wrath' Lobh — 'greed' Moh — 'attachment' Hankaar — 'ego, pride' Gurmat Hukam Idolatry in Sikhism Khalsa — 'pure' Nirguni bhakti Raj Karega Khalsa Sarbat da bhalla — welfare (bhalla) of mankind (sarbat) Seva — selfless service Shakti Sikh Rehat Maryada – code of conduct Simran — the remembrance of Waheguru.
Relation to other religions
Hinduism and Sikhism Islam and Sikhism Jainism and Sikhism
Practices and culture
Amrit — elixir of immortality; the sanctified nectar or sugar water substitute used in ceremonies. It is prepared by stirring it in an iron bowl with the double-edged sword and continuous recitation of five banis by the five selected members of the Khalsa. Dasvand — a kind of Sikh tithe; the act of donating 10% of one's harvest, both financially and in the form of time and service (i.e., seva) to the Gurdwara and community. Five Ks — five articles of faith worn by baptised, or khalsa, Sikhs: Kesh — uncut hair Kangha — a comb Kara — a circular iron bracelet Kirpan — a small dagger Kachera — special underwear short Kirtan — musical recitation Langar — communal kitchen where free food is distributed to all comers Pangat Naam Japo — meditation on the name of God Jaap — 'recitation' Prohibitions (kurahit kurahat), including: Cutting, trimming, shaving or removing hairs from one's body — Sikhs practice kesh, allowing their hair to grow out naturally in respect to God's creation Intoxication Castism Kutha meat — eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (particularly halal or kosher meat), or any meat where langar is served (except jatkha meat). Seva — selfless service Sevadar — one who volunteers Kar seva Kar sevak Sikh Rehat Maryada — code of conduct
Sikh ceremonies Anand Karaj ('blissful union, joyful union') — the Sikh marriage ceremony, first introduced by Guru Amar Das. Akhand Path — continuous reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, either in honour of a particular occasion or simply to increase one's feeling of connection to God. Akhand Paths can be held, for example, in honour of a birth/birthday, wedding/anniversary, recovery from a medical operation, death, or a historic occasion; to celebrate the achievement of a goal such as a graduation or passing the driving test; or in chasing away evil spirits and curses, etc. Amrit Sanchar — baptism into the Khalsa tradition Antam Sanskar — funeral rites Naam Karan — child's naming ceremony Sadharan Paath
Sikh festivals
Bandi Chhor Divas — a celebration during Diwali Gurpurab — the celebration of an anniversary of a Guru's birth, particularly that of Guru Nanak. Guru Ladho Re Diwas Mela Maghi Nagar Kirtan Vasakhi — a festival during late Spring
General Sikh culture Dastar — turban (pagri); an inseparable part of Sikh dress that is mandatory for Sikh males according to Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh Rehat Maryada. Diet in Sikhism Gatka — Sikh martial art Idolatry in Sikhism Karah Parshad Khanda — an Indian-double edged sword that is used as the primary symbol of the Sikh faith. It appears on the Nishan Sahib that flies over gurdwaras. Kirtan — musical recitation Nanakshahi calendar — the calendar used in Sikhism Chet Vaisakh Jeth Harh Sawan Bhadon Assu Katak Maghar Poh Magh Phagun Punjabi language Gurmukhi — the written form of Punjabi used in the Sikh scriptures (and in Punjab, India, more generally) propagated by Guru Nanak and Guru Angad. It is contrast to shahmukhi, which is the Islamic script for Punjabi (used in Punjab, Pakistan). Sant Bhasha Ragi — Sikh musician who performs hymns Sikhism and sexual orientation
Sikh geography
Akal Takhat ('Eternal Throne') — nominal seat of Sikh temporal/political authority. Amritsar — the holy city of Sikhism, home to 1.5 million in the northwestern part of India. Harmandir Sahib (or Golden Temple) — the holy shrine of Sikhs; the spiritual and cultural center of the Sikh religion, found in Amritsar. Anandpur Sahib — the birthplace of the Khalsa Virasat-e-Khalsa — a Sikh museum in Anandpur Goindval Sahib Kartarpur — seat of Guru Nanak's first school. Nankana Sahib — birthplace of Guru Nanak Patna Sahib Samadhi of Ranjit Singh — a building in Lahore, Pakistan that houses the funerary urns of Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh Takht
Sikhism by country
Sikhism in Australia Sikhism in Afghanistan Sikhs in Belgium Sikhism in Canada Sikhs in Fiji Sikhism in India Sikhism in New Zealand Sikhism in Pakistan Sikhism in Thailand Sikhism in Trinidad and Tobago Sikhism in the United Arab Emirates Sikhism in the United Kingdom Sikhism in the United States
Gurdwaras
In India
The Harmandir Sahib (or Golden Temple) is the holy shrine of Sikhs; the spiritual and cultural center of the Sikh religion, found in Amritsar. The Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is the organization responsible for the management of gurdwaras in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, and the union territory of Chandigarh
Other gurdwaras in India include: Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib Goindwal Sahib
In the United States
Gurdwara Sahib Fremont Sikh Gurdwara - San Jose Sikh Religious Society of Chicago
Gurdwaras in Pakistan
Kartarpur — seat of Guru Nanak's first school. Nankana Sahib — birthplace of Guru Nanak.
Other gurdwaras Gurdwaras in Canada Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple (Hong Kong) Gurdwara Sahib Klang (Malaysia) Central Sikh Temple — the first gurdwara in Singapore Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall (London)
Other Sikh institutions Damdami Taksal Guru Nanak Dev University Guru Nanak Khalsa College of Arts, Science & Commerce Khalsa College, Amritsar Pingalwara Satnam Trust Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund Sikh Phulwari Sikh Reference Library Thai Sikh International School
Sikh politics, military, and administration
Organizations
All India Sikh Students Federation British Sikh Student Federation Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Ghadar Party Haryana State Akali Dal Punjab Janata Morcha Shiromani Akali Dal Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal Shiromani Akali Dal (Amristsar) Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal) Shiromani Akali Dal (Panthik) Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) — the organization responsible for the management of gurdwaras in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, and the union territory of Chandigarh Sikh Manji — Sikh administrative unit United Sikhs World Sikh Organization
Military
Misl Piri System Sant Sipahi Sikh Empire Sikh Khalsa Army Sikh Light Infantry Sikh Regiment
Movements Akali movement Babbar Akali movement Ghadar movement Khalistan movement — a separatist movement to create a Sikh homeland, often named Khālistān (, , 'Land of the Khalsa'), composed of the Punjab region of modern-day India and Pakistan.The foreign policy of Pakistan: ethnic impacts on diplomacy, 1971–1994. . Mehtab Ali Shah: "Such is the political, psychological and religious attachment of the Sikhs to that city that a Khalistan without Lahore would be like a Germany without Berlin."Amritsar to Lahore: a journey across the India-Pakistan border. Stephen Alter. "Ever since the separatist movement gathered force in the 1980s, Pakistan has sided with the Sikhs, even though the territorial ambitions of Khalistan include Lahore and sections of the Punjab on both sides of the border." Singh Sabha Movement
History of Sikhism
1469–1539 — Time of Guru Nanak 1606 — Guru Arjan executed succeeded bu Guru Hargobind who start the Sikh martial tradition. 1675 — Guru Tegh Bahadur executed for protesting for religious freedom 1699 — Khalsa Sajana Divas 1708 — Guru Granth Sahib becomes eternal Guru 1710–1715 — Banda Singh's Raj 1716–1799 — Sikh Confederacy 1752–1801 — Sukerchakia 1746 — Chhota Ghallughara ('small massacre') — a massacre of a significant proportion of the Sikh population by the Mughal Empire, in which Jaspat Rai's brother Lakhpat Rai with the Mughal army killed an estimated 7,000 Sikhs died.