What extraordinary people. Why is it always the good people that are so fully persecuted? The Sikh philosophy is extraordinary, given the times in which it arose and now that I know the Hindus are decendents of Khazars, it now makes much more sense. If the British are involved, you know its going to be bad.
This is a composite blog of several different articles jerry rigged together through "excerpts" in order to narrow the info down to what is germane to the dicussion and to facilitate learning about the culture and trying to connect it to why they are under attack. In reading their systems of beliefs, I can see why they fit in anywhere they are and that includes here in the states.
I can also understand why they are under attack in a repressive, British designed regime based on class structure/system. When you read the tenants of their teachings and philosophy, you will see their goodness is like poison to the evil ones and it must burn them like acid on skin. Its not really a religion so much as a way of seeing life at a fundamental and visceral level.
While we are at it we might as well remind you to keep in mind as you read all this below, that Wikipedia is being manipulated by teams on the ground in Israel, so just keep it in the back of your mind. Discernment and caution.
http://vaticproject.blogspot.com/2010/08/wikipedia-editing-courses-launched-by.html
Punjab, Home of the Sikhs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh
by Wikipedia
Sikh Philosophy
Excerpt:
The 6th Sikh Guru Guru Hargobind re-affirmed that the political/temporal (Miri) and spiritual (Piri) realms are mutually coexistent.[38] According to the 9th Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadhur, the ideal Sikh should have both Shakti (power that resides in the temporal), and Bhakti (spiritual meditative qualities).
This was developed into the concept of the Saint Soldier by the 10th Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh.[39]
Protecting the religious and political rights of all people and preventing discrimination is an integral part of the Sikh faith.
The 5th Guru Arjan was martyred by the Mughal ruler Jahangir on 16 May 1606 for refusing to convert to Islam. The martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur 9th Guru to protect Hindus from religious persecution, in Delhi, on 11 November 1675 AD, is another example of upholding minority religious freedom; he gave his life to protect the right of Kashmiri Hindus to practise their own religion when they were being forced to convert to Islam by Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor at the time.
According to Guru Nanak, the goal is to attain the "attendant balance of separation-fusion, self-other, action-inaction, attachment-detachment, in the course of daily life",[40] the polar opposite to a self-centered existence.[40] Nanak talks further about the one God or Akal (timelessness) that permeates all life[41]).[42][43][44] and which must be seen with 'the inward eye', or the 'heart', of a human being.[45]
In Sikhism there is no dogma,[46] priests, monastics or yogis.
Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak summarised the basis of Sikh lifestyle as: Kirat Karo, Naam Japo and Wand kay Chako, which means work diligently and honestly, meditate on the holy name (Waheguru), and share the fruits of labours with others. The idea that human beings must work for a living and play an active role in society is the basis of this philosophy.
The guiding principles of the Sikh faith are Truth, Equality, Freedom and Justice.
The Sikhs revere Guru Granth Sahib as their supreme teacher, 'Guru' means the enlightener. The tenth Guru ended the line of personal Gurūs and transferred his authority to the dual agency of the Sikh scripture Gurū Graṅth Sāhib and to the Guru Khalsa (also Panth). The Panth or the community of followers was to be the physical manifestation of the Gurū, while the Guru Graṅth was to be the scriptural guide for this body of Sikhs.[47]
| “ | There is one supreme eternal reality; the truth; immanent in all things; creator of all things; imminent in creation. Without fear and without hatred; not subject to time; beyond birth and death; self-revealing. Known by the Guru’s grace.[48] | ” |
Seva (selfless service) is an integral part of Sikh worship, observed in the Gurdwara. Visitors of any religious or socio-economic background are welcomed, where langar (food for all) is always served to people of all origins, the same (vegetarian) food, while sitting together on the same level of the floor.
(VN: Oooh, I like this custom, its how I grew up getting close to family where we all sat down together at every meal and shared. There was a closeness to it. It was also crowded, 10 of us at every meal. lol I was the oldest of 8 kids.)
TEACHINGS
Excerpts:
Sikhism believes in one supreme being which is real and immanent and only experienceable in this creation; technically there is nothing in this creation which is devoid of it and distinct of it.
It teaches that the God is omnipresent, transcendent, omnipotent, and omniscient. It also revolves around the belief in reincarnation. Emphasis is on ethics, morality, and values; the Sikh faith does not accept miracles.
The Sikh school of thought believes in a form of reincarnation similar to Karma. The concept of hell and heaven in Sikhism is metaphorical and is said to be experienced by those who chose (or not) to live in the Five Thieves.
Sikhs recommend five prayers in the morning between 1 and 6 am (the five prayers can be said in succession within one hour for the well-versed): Japji, Anand Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav-Prasad Savaiye, Chaupai and Ardas; one prayer in the evening from 5 to 7 pm: Rehras and Ardas; and one before sleeping, around 8 to 10 pm: Kirtan Sohila and Ardas.
Sikh scriptures teach the concept of moderation. Sikhism teaches a person to remove the Five Evils: kaam or kam (lust), krodh (anger), lobh (greed), moh (attachment), and ahankar (pride).[50]
Guru Nanak Dev Ji sought to improve the status of women by spreading this message: "From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad when she gives rise to nobility? From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all. O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman." (page (Ang) 473). In so doing, he promoted women's rights and equality, a remarkable stance in the 15th century which was actually put into practice by Guru Nanak and the following 9 Gurus.
Sikhism professes democratic institutions such as Guru Khalsa (also Guru Panth) where decisions about the People are made collectively by themselves. This institution is called as Gurmatta. Panth itself translates to the People.
Sikhism teaches that all of humanity was created by the Onkar, which is addressed by many names and understood differently. Sikhism teaches to respect all other religions (tolerance) and that one should defend the rights of not just one's own religion but the religion and faith of others as a human right. At the end of every Sikh prayer is a supplication for the welfare of all of humanity.( Tere Bhanne Sarbat Da Bhala ) (VN: hmmm, something the western world aspires to and has been unable to fully attain it)
Sikhism believes in the concept of a human Soul (Self (spirituality) or consciousness or spirit or astral body). Sikhs believe they can unite and become one with God in this life (Gurmukh), as the consciousness merges with God (Supreme Consciousness) through truthful living and actions and is only a matter of realisation.
Sikhs always greet each other with the words "Sat Sri Akaal" which literally means "Truth is Time-less being". Truth, truthful living, equality, freedom and justice are the core principles of Sikh philosophy.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th and final living Guru, gave Sikhs their outer physical form and established a new order called the Khalsa. Khalsa Sikhs do not cut their hair kes and as a form of respect cover it with an elegantly tied turban. To keep one's hair is a commitment to accept the body in the natural form in which it was born, and to get rid of vanity relating to outward appearance.
Wearing a turban forms a distinct identity and also makes the Sikhs very easily recognisable. Sikh history is built on examples of brave men and women who defended an ideology built on the fundamentals of human rights and equality of all human beings. This belief often led to conflict with oppressive forces.
For more than 300 years the Sikhs were persecuted endlessly. The Sikh human rights struggle morphed into a political struggle which was one of the dominant causes of the fall of the Mughal empire in India and led to the formation of a Sikh kingdom before being annexed by the British in 1849. At the peak of their political power the Sikhs under Maharaja Ranjit Singh controlled a large kingdom centred in Lahore which was also secular and egalitarian. This kingdom had Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs in prominent cabinet positions.
An example of Sikhism's commitment to tolerance is the fact that the foundation stone of one of the most prominent Gurdwaras of the Sikhs — Da rbar Sahib, Amritsar also known as the Golden Temple — was laid, not by the many eminent Sikh leaders or the 4th Sikh Guru Ramdas, who was the leader of the Sikhs at that time, but by a Sufi Muslim by the name of Sain Mian Mir.
The Sikh code of conduct strictly forbids the use of intoxicants, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, narcotics and any other foreign substance which disrupt the body; sexual relationship outside marriage; consumption of sacrificial meat (Kutha meat), and cutting of hair.
The Sikh religion also teaches that human life is unique, described as more precious than a diamond, which is obtained after great spiritual deeds and merits are done, and Sikh teachings are filled with guidance on how one should conduct one's self in order to find peace in this life and unite with God.
The article is reproduced in accordance with Section 107 of title 17 of the Copyright Law of the United States relating to fair-use and is for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
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