And Signs Of The Faith

(RNS) Sikhism is the world’s fifth largest religion, a monotheistic faith founded in the Punjab region of India about 500 years ago. their home.

Here are some facts about what Sikhs believe and Sikh culture.

Sikhs believe everyone, men and women, has equal status before God, who created the universe and adidas philippines sale 2015 all faiths. Human beings are encouraged to develop their moral character through generosity, humility and self reliance.

Sikh means “seeker of knowledge” in Punjabi, adidas stan smith the language of India’s Punjab region and of Sikhism’s holy books.

Sikhism was divinely revealed to its first guru, or prophet, Guru Nanak, who died in 1539. Nine gurus followed him, the last of which, Guru Gobind Singh, died in 1708.

Sikhs keep their hair uncut, adidas philippines sale 2015 or natural, as a sign of living in harmony with God. Men and adidas superstar some women cover their hair with turbans as a mark of their faith. Boys start wearing a patka over their hair when it is long enough to tie into a topknot.

The kara is a steel bracelet worn by Sikhs to remind them of the unity of God. The kirpan is a ceremonial dagger (though not a weapon) that is meant to remind Sikhs of the duty to fight injustice.

The Sikh place of worship is known as a gurdwara, and it is where the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib is kept, though copies are also found in Sikh homes. In a gurdwara, all remove their adidas shoes philippines, and women cover their heads.

The central Sikh shrine is the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, India, which is also known as the Golden Temple.

After services, Sikhs partake in the langar, a communal meal, typically of Punjabi food, cooked and served by volunteers.

Sikh is properly pronounced “sik” but you will likely not be corrected for saying “seek.”

Sources: The Sikh Coalition, Sikhism At A Glance; the Sikh Studies Unit from the Kaur Foundation; Singh Mann, Gurinder, et al. Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs in America. Oxford University Press, 2001.