Sikhism was founded in the fifteenth century by Guru Nanak at a time when Muslim kings were ruling over India (Guru=spiritual teacher). The main objectives of this religion are:
*To abolish the caste system;
*To preach the Oneness of God;
*To preach the equality of Man and Woman;
*To live a humble honest hardworking life sharing with those less fortunate than one sell;
“To have constant faith and remembrance of God
Guru Nanak toured most of India preaching the Oneness of God to Hindus and Muslims. Al that lime there was great animosity between the two religions. Some people have the misconception that Sikhism is an off-shoot of Hinduism or is a Hindu sect which is not true. Sikhism is distinctly a separate religion Atter Guu Nanak nine more Gurus followed and preached his message and added their own divinity to Sikhism.
In the sixteenth century Muslim kings started forcing Hindus and Sikhs to convert to Islam Guru Gobind Singh the tenth Guru organized the Sikhs into a military force in order to fight against the oppression. He created the spirit and identity of the “Saint Soldier in times of peace a Sikh should behave a saint and in times of war as a Soldier. As a soldier has a uniform a Sikh’s uniform consists of unshorn hair and a turban worn by males.
The Golden Temple (Holiest Shrine of the Sikhs) has four main doors one in each corner symbolizing the openness of the Sikhism to all people irrespective of their caste creed color or sex.
The last stanza of the daily prayer for Sikh is: “Nanak Nam chardi kala tere bhane sarbatt da bhala” it means “O God! May Your Name be exalted and May All Prosper by Thy Will.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 3, 1991
