Collection: Sikhism

Sikhs believe in one God, supreme, formless and timeless, called Waheguru, who is present in all creation. The path began with Guru Nanak, born in 1469, and nine human successors. In 1708 the tenth guru, Gobind Singh, named the Guru Granth Sahib as his successor, and Sikhs regard it as the eternally living guru. Core teachings include meditation on the name of the one creator, the equality of all people, selfless service (seva), and honest conduct and livelihood.

<cite index="18-4">Most of the world's Sikhs live in Punjab, India, with large diaspora communities in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia and East Africa.</cite> <cite index="18-3">Estimates of 25 to 30 million followers make Sikhism the fifth-largest organised religion.</cite> <cite index="7-4,7-5">The Khalsa is both the wider Sikh community and a group of initiated Sikhs, a tradition begun in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh.</cite> Not all Sikhs are initiated, and practice and emphasis vary between families, regions and communities. Worship takes place in the gurdwara, where the scripture is at the centre.

Because God is understood as formless, <cite index="3-8">Sikhism has a non-anthropomorphic concept of God</cite>, and God is not worshipped through images. Devotion centres on the Guru Granth Sahib, which <cite index="4-2">is believed to embody the Guru</cite>. It is sung and recited as the community's hymns. Portraits of the human Gurus are common in many homes and shops, and Sikhs hold differing views about them. <cite index="18-5">Major festivals include Vaisakhi, which commemorates the founding of the Khalsa, the Gurpurabs, which mark the Gurus' births and deaths, and Bandi Chhor Divas, which falls with Diwali.</cite> Celebrations often include <cite index="18-9">nagar kirtan processions, hymn singing and a shared meal (langar)</cite>.

Sources: Wikipedia: Sikhism · Understanding Religion (Cleveland State): Sikhism · Sikhism.net.in: What is Sikhism? · ReligionCompare: Sikhism · Wikipedia: Bandi Chhor Divas