"Sikh gurus The Sikh gurus established Sikhism over the centuries, beginning in the year 1469. Guru Nanak was the first Guru, and subsequently, each Guru, in succession, was referred to as ""Nanak"", and as ""Light"". All the Gurus themselves also used the name ""Nanak"" while penning down their spiritual verses. There are a total of eleven Gurus: Ten human-form gurus and the eleventh, or current and everlasting Sikh Guru, is the integrated Sikh scripture known as the Guru Granth Sahib. The Tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh, had bestowed the Guruship forevermore to the Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh Ji"
"Sikh scriptures The principal Sikh scripture is the ""Adi Granth"" (First Scripture), more commonly called the ""Guru Granth Sahib"". The Sikhs do not regard this as their ""holy book"" but as their perpetual and current ""guru"", guide or master. It was called ""Adi Granth"" until Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and final guru in human form, conferred on it the title of the guru in 1708, after which it was called ""Sri Guru Granth Sahib"", or ""Guru Granth Sahib"" for short. The ""Granth"" has 1430 pages and is divided into 39 chapters. All copies are exactly alike. The Sikhs are"
"gurus. Numerous holy men, aside from the Sikh gurus, are collectively referred to as ""Bhagats"" or ""devotees."" In 1708 Guru Gobind Singh conferred the title of ""Guru of the Sikhs"" upon the Adi Granth. The event was recorded in a ""Bhatt Vahi"" (a bard's scroll) by an eyewitness, Narbud Singh, who was a bard at the Rajput rulers' court associated with gurus. A variety of other documents also attest to this proclamation by the tenth guru. Thus, despite some aberrations, Sikhs since then have accepted Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture, as their eternal-living guru, as the embodiment of the"
"temporal authority. Therefore, Guru in Sikhism is a teacher-leader. Traditionally, the concept of Guru is considered central in Sikhism, and its main scripture is prefixed as a ""Guru"", called Guru Granth Sahib, the words therein called ""Gurbani"". As an alternative to established religions, some people in Europe and the USA looked to spiritual guides and gurus from India and other countries. Gurus from many denominations traveled to Western Europe and the USA and established followings. In particular during the 1960s and 1970s many gurus acquired groups of young followers in Western Europe and the USA. According to the American sociologist"
"scented powder mixture of sandalwood, saffron, and camphor) on the devotee's head with a mantra or blessings. In Sikhism, ""Guru"" is the source of all knowledge which is Almighty. In Chopai Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh states about who is the Guru: The Sikh gurus were fundamental to the Sikh religion, however the concept in Sikhism differs from other usages. Sikhism is derived from the Sanskrit word ""shishya"", or disciple and is all about the relationship between the teacher and a student. The concept of Guru in Sikhism stands on two pillars i.e. Miri-Piri. 'Piri' means spiritual authority and 'Miri' means"
"living guru, the highest religious and spiritual guide for Sikhs and inspire all of humanity; it plays a central role in guiding the Sikh's way of life. Its place in Sikh devotional life is based on on the ""Gurbani"" (the word of Guru/God) which was received by the Sikh gurus in their divine consciousness from God and revealed to mankind. The Guru Granth Sahib answers all questions regarding religion and that morality can be discovered within it. The word is the guru and the guru is the word. Thus, in Sikh theology, the revealed divine word was written by past"
"whole Sikh way of life both in its individual and social expressions evolved over the centuries. Guidance received by Sikhs in their day-to-day affairs from institutions established by the Gurus and by the community nurtured upon their teachings will also fall within the frame of gurmat. In any exigency, the decision to be taken by the followers must conform to gurmat in its ideological and/or conventional assumptions. Guru and God are considered the same. The 'guru' here in gur-mat means the Ten Gurus of the Sikh faith as well as gur-bani, i.e. their inspired utterances recorded in the Guru Granth"
"such as Pure Land Buddhism seek the aid of celestial buddhas—individuals who have spent lifetimes accumulating positive karma, and use that accumulation to aid all. The monotheistic Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak Dev, the term ""Sikh"" means student, which denotes that followers will lead their lives forever learning. This system of religious philosophy and expression has been traditionally known as the Gurmat (literally ""the counsel of the gurus"") or the Sikh Dharma. The followers of Sikhism are ordained to follow the teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus, or enlightened leaders, as well as the holy scripture entitled the"
"Gurmat Gurmat (gur-mat, mat, Sanskrit mati, i.e. counsel or tenets of the Guru, more specifically focusing the mind towards the Guru) is a term which may in its essential sense be taken to be synonymous with Sikhism itself. Etymologically, ""Gur"" means wisdom and ""Mat"" means Tenet/Belief. Generally, Gurmat is theology includes teachings of Sikh Bhagats and Sikh Gurus which is incorporated in Guru Granth Sahib. It covers doctrinal, prescriptive and directional aspects of Sikh faith and praxis. Besides the basic theological structure, doctrine and tenets derived from the teachings of Guru Nanak and his nine successors, it refers to the"
"the human being; and therefore humans must foster, maintain and preserve it in good, sound condition, unless fasting is done to foster the human body like healthy diets. It is available for all people following any religion. Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first Sikh Guru. The last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh passed the Guruship of the Sikhs to the Eternal Guru of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib (the sacred text of Sikhism). It also includes the writings of the Sikh Gurus and the writings of Hindu and Muslims saints because all of these Bhagats and"
"study, ponder and practice the teachings of their prophets and leaders. Sikhism had many interactions with Sufism as well as Hinduism, influenced them and was influenced by them. See Islam and Sikhism and Hinduism and Sikhism. The holy book of the Sikhs (the Sri Guru Granth Sahib) says: Do not say that the Vedas and the Koran (semitic books i.e. Bible, Torah and Q'uran) are false. Those who do not contemplate them are false. (Guru Granth Sahib page 1350) As well as: Some call the Lord ""Ram, Ram"", and some ""Khuda"". Some serve Him as ""Gusain"", others as ""Allah"". He"
"Guru Granth Sahib as a mark of respect. Members of all faiths can enter the Divan Hall with their heads covered with a scarf or any piece of cloth usually provided in a box at the entrance of the Gurdwara. They can also use their own piece of cloth. Guru Granth Sahib is the 11th and everlasting Guru of the Sikhs. The word ""guru"" is composed of two words, ""gu"" meaning ""darkness"" and ""ru"" meaning ""light""; thus ""guru"" is the ""light that dispels all darkness"". ""Granth"" is a Sanskrit word signifying a holy book. ""Sahib"" is added to its name"
"Guru Maneyo Granth ""Guru Maneyo Granth"" (English: Granth Be Thy Guru) refers to the historic statement of the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708), shortly before his demise, on affirming the sacred scripture Adi Granth as his successor, thus terminating the line of human Gurus. Installed as the Guru Granth Sahib, it is now the central holy scripture of Sikhism, and the eternal living Guru of all Sikhs. It is central to Sikh worship as it is said to imbibe the one light of the creator manifested in the Ten Sikh Gurus - one spirit in ten forms. (Bhai"
"Granthi A Granthi (, ) is a person, female or male, of the Sikh religion who is a ceremonial reader of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which is the Holy Book in Sikhism, often read to worshipers at Sikh temples called a Gurudwara. The name Granthi comes from the Sanskrit granthika, which means a relater or narrator. Any Sikh individual appointed the title of being a Granthi is considered a principal religious official of Sikhism. Although they are considered religious officials in Sikhism, they are not considered to be the equivalent of a priest, as the belief is that there"
"Gurdwara A gurdwara (, or , ; meaning ""door to the guru"") is a place of 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 ""takhalmmlolt"" (an elevated throne) in a prominent central position. The ""raagis"" (who sing Ragas) recite, sing and explain, the verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, in the presence of the congregation. All ""gurdwaras"" have a ""langar"" hall, where people can"
"Guru are often synonymous in ""Gurbani"" (Sikh writings). There is one primary scripture for the Sikhs: the Gurū Granth Sāhib. It is sometimes synonymously referred to as the Ādi Granth. Chronologically, however, the Ādi Granth – literally, ""The First Volume"", refers to the version of the scripture created by Guru Arjan in 1604. The Gurū Granth Sāhib is the final expanded version of the scripture compiled by Guru Gobind Singh. While the Guru Granth Sahib is an unquestioned scripture in Sikhism, another important religious text, the Dasam Granth, does not enjoy universal consensus, and is considered a secondary scripture by"
"""bhakti"" tradition, who adhere to a prayer-led path of realization. ""Bhagat"" is also a Hindu and Jain surname, most commonly in northern states of India. Sikhism's central scriptural book, Guru Granth Sahib, has teachings of 15 ""Bhagats"", along with ""bani"" of Sikh Gurus, ""Bhats"" and ""Gursikhs"". Because Sikhism believes in one human creed (no one belongs to a higher or a lower social status or caste) and that accounts to adding ""Bani"" of various authors, a total of 36, in Guru Granth Sahib irrespective of many belonging to religions other than Sikhism and even some ""Bhagats"" who were considered as"
"guru added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting in the creation of the Sikh religion. Guru Nanak was the first guru and appointed a disciple as successor. Guru Gobind Singh was the final guru in human form. Before his death, Guru Gobind Singh decreed in 1708, that the Gurū Granth Sāhib would be the final and perpetual guru of the Sikhs. Guru Nanak stated that his Guru is God who is the same from the beginning of time to the end of time. Nanak claimed to be God's mouthpiece, God's slave and servant, but maintained that"
"They have been referred to as the ""Key to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib"" by Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh guru. He was the first scribe of Guru Granth Sahib and a scholar of great repute. From his work, it is clear that he had mastery of various Indian languages and had studied many ancient Indian religious scriptures. Panjab Digital Library in collaboration with the Nanakshahi Trust took up digitization of Sikh scriptures in 2003. Thousands of manuscripts have been digitized and are available online at Panjab Digital Library. Sikh scriptures The principal Sikh scripture is the ""Adi Granth"""
"Guru Granth Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ/ ) was compiled by the tenth religious Guru of Sikhism, regarded by Sikhs as the final, sovereign, and eternal living guru following the lineage of the ten human Sikh gurus of the Sikh religion. Adi Granth, the first rendition, was compiled by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan. The tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, added one shloka, dohra mahala 9 ang, 1429 and all 115 hymns of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur. This second rendition came to be known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib. After Guru Gobind Singh's death"
"ten Sikh Gurus. The entire Guru Granth Sahib is written in the Gurmukhi script, which was standardized by Guru Angad Dev in the 16th century. According to Sikh tradition and the ""Mahman Prakash"", an early Sikh manuscript, Guru Angad Dev had taught and spread the Gurmukhi script at the suggestion of Guru Nanak Dev which has invented the Gurmukhi script. The word ""Gurmukhī"" translates to ""from the mouth of the guru"". It descended from the Laṇḍā scripts and was used from the outset for compiling Sikh scriptures. The Sikhs assign a high degree of sanctity to the Gurmukhī script. It"
"world of forms. Guru Maneyo Granth ""Guru Maneyo Granth"" (English: Granth Be Thy Guru) refers to the historic statement of the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708), shortly before his demise, on affirming the sacred scripture Adi Granth as his successor, thus terminating the line of human Gurus. Installed as the Guru Granth Sahib, it is now the central holy scripture of Sikhism, and the eternal living Guru of all Sikhs. It is central to Sikh worship as it is said to imbibe the one light of the creator manifested in the Ten Sikh Gurus - one spirit in"
"Guru Arjan Guru Arjan ( ""Guru Arjan"" ) 15 April 1563 – 30 May 1606) was the first of the two Gurus martyred in the Sikh faith and the fifth of the ten total Sikh Gurus. He compiled the first official edition of the Sikh scripture called the Adi Granth, which later expanded into the Guru Granth Sahib. He was born in Goindval, in the Punjab, the youngest son of Bhai Jetha, who later became Guru Ram Das, and Mata Bhani, the daughter of Guru Amar Das. He was the first Guru in Sikhism to be born into a Sikh"
"Gender of God in Sikhism Irrespective of the native-language meaning of the Mantra, the standard English translation neutralises the implied gender of God in Sikhism. Nonetheless, the Guru Granth consistently refers to God as ""He"", even in English. He is also predominantly referred to as ""Father"". The scripture of Sikhism is the Gurū Granth (GG). Printed as a heading for the Guru Granth, and for each of its major divisions, is the Mul Mantra, a short summary description of God, in Punjabi. Sikh tradition has it that this was originally composed by Nanak Dev (1469–1539), the founder of Sikhism. The"
"both an application and a symbol of the All-pervading Supreme Reality that sustained the universe. Guru Nanak in his teachings emphasized the need of repeating Sat-Nam to realize the All-pervading Supreme Reality."" Satnam Satnam (Gurmukhi:ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ) is the main word that appears in the Sikh sacred scripture called the Guru Granth Sahib. It is part of the Gurbani shabad called Mool Mantra which is repeated daily by all Sikhs. This word succeeds the word ""Ek-onkar"" which means ""There is only one constant"" or commonly ""There is one God"". The words ""sat"" means ""true/everlasting"" and ""nam"" means ""name"". In this"
"Satnam Satnam (Gurmukhi:ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ) is the main word that appears in the Sikh sacred scripture called the Guru Granth Sahib. It is part of the Gurbani shabad called Mool Mantra which is repeated daily by all Sikhs. This word succeeds the word ""Ek-onkar"" which means ""There is only one constant"" or commonly ""There is one God"". The words ""sat"" means ""true/everlasting"" and ""nam"" means ""name"". In this instance, this would mean, ""whose name is truth"". Satnam is referred to God as the Name of God is True and Everlasting. The word ""nam"" in Sikhism has two meanings. ""It meant"
"that affect the entire Sikh nation. A ""gurmatā"" (literally, ""guru's intention"") is an order passed by the Sarbat Ḵẖālsā in the presence of the Gurū Granth Sāhib. A gurmatā may only be passed on a subject that affects the fundamental principles of Sikh religion; it is binding upon all Sikhs. The term ""hukamnāmā"" (literally, ""edict"" or ""royal order"") is often used interchangeably with the term gurmatā. However, a hukamnāmā formally refers to a hymn from the Gurū Granth Sāhib which is a given order to Sikhs. The word Guru in Sikhism also refers to ""Akal Purkh"" (God), and God and"
"a Sikh’s nitnem or daily religious regimen. Paath of these prescribed texts is performed from a handy collection, called gutka (missal or breviary) or from memory. Three of the banis, Guru Nanak’s Japji and Guru Gobind Singh’s Jaap Sahib and Amrit Savaiye — constitute the Sikhs mandatory morning paath or devotions, and two — Rehras and Kirtan Sohila — evening paath. Individuals add certain other texts as well such as Sabad patshahi 10, Anand Sahib and Sukhmani. The paath is also performed individually and more particularly in sangat from the Guru Granth Sahib itself. The Holy Volume is ceremonially installed"
"Guru Nanak Gurpurab Guru Nanak Gurpurab, also known as Guru Nanak's Prakash Utsav and Guru Nanak Jayanti, celebrates the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak. This is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism, or Sikhi. The festivities in the Sikh religion revolve around the anniversaries of the 10 Sikh Gurus. These Gurus were responsible for shaping the beliefs of the Sikhs. Their birthdays, known as ""Gurpurab,"" are occasions for celebration and prayer among the Sikhs. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born on Vaisakhi Day, (Vaisakh 1, 1526 Bikrami) in Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present"
"that proponents of all faiths can, by doing good and virtuous deeds and by remembering the Lord, certainly achieve salvation. The students of the Sikh faith are told to accept all leading faiths as possible vehicles for attaining spiritual enlightenment provided the faithful study, ponder and practice the teachings of their prophets and leaders. The holy book of the Sikhs called the Sri Guru Granth Sahib says: ""Do not say that the Vedas, the Bible and the Koran are false. Those who do not contemplate them are false."" Guru Granth Sahib page 1350; later stating ""The seconds, minutes, and hours,"
"The persecution of Sikhs triggered the founding of the Khalsa as an order to protect the freedom of conscience and religion, with qualities of a ""Sant-Sipāhī"" a saint-soldier. The Khalsa was founded by the last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. The majority of Sikh scriptures were originally written in the Gurmukhī alphabet, a script standardised by Guru Angad out of Laṇḍā scripts used in North India. Adherents of Sikhism are known as Sikhs, which means students or disciples of the Guru. The anglicised word 'Sikhism' is derived from the Punjabi verb ""Sikhi"", with roots in ""Sikhana"" (to learn), and ""Sikhi"""
"as the everlasting Guru. This event is commemorated with a festival/ritual that starts with Diwali in India - a Hindu Sikh festival. The tercentenary celebrations of the occasion are being referred at Guru-da-gaddi and are being celebrated on 3 November 2008 in Nanded in Maharshtra. The occasion comes after celebrations of 300 Years of Khalsa panth established by Guru Gobind Singh ji in 1699. Guru Gaddi Guru-da-Gaddi is an important Sikh religious event held every 3 November. The event honors when the tenth and last Sikh Gurus when they said 'the next Guru would be the Holy Sikh Book' Guru"
"Zurvanism, was inherently universalist. In Sikhism, all the religions of the world are compared to rivers flowing into a single ocean. Although the Sikh gurus did not agree with the practices of fasting, idolatry and pilgrimage during their times, they stressed that all religions should be tolerated and considered on equal footing. The Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, contains the writings of not just the Sikh guru themselves, but the writings of several Hindu and Muslim saints, known as the ""Bhagats"". The very first word of the Sikh scripture is ""Ik"", followed by ""Oh-ang-kar"". This literally means that there"