Sikhism: Difference between revisions

'''Sikhism''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|k|ɪ|z|əm}} {{respell|SEEK|iz|əm}}),<ref>{{cite web |title=Sikhism, n. |url=https://www.oed.com/dictionary/sikhism_n |publisher=Oxford English Dictionary |access-date=7 July 2024}}</ref> also known as '''Sikhi''' ({{lang-pa|ਸਿੱਖੀ}} ''{{IAST|Sikkhī}}'', {{IPA-pa|ˈsɪk.kʰiː||Sikkhi.ogg}}, from {{lang-pa|ਸਿੱਖ|lit=disciple|translit=[[Sikh]]}}), is a [[Monotheism|monotheistic]] religion and philosophy,<ref name=":2a">{{cite book |date=2014 |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |editor1-first=Pashaura |editor1-last=Singh |editor2-first=Louis E. |editor2-last=Fenech |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-969930-8 |pages=299–301}}</ref> that originated in the [[Punjab]] region of [[Indian subcontinent|India]] around the end of the 15th century CE. Sikhism is classified as an [[Indian religion]] or [[Dharma|Dharmic]] religion along with [[Buddhism]], [[Hinduism]], and [[Jainism]].<ref name="Reichberg2014p672" group="lower-roman">"As an Indian religion, Sikhism affirms transmigration, the continued rebirth after death". {{cite book |last=Brekke |first=Torkel |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=t3CFAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA672 |via=Google Books |title=Religion, War, and Ethics: A Sourcebook of Textual Traditions |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |date=2014 |isbn=978-1-139-95204-0 |editor1-first=G. M. |editor1-last=Reichberg |editor2-first=H. |editor2-last=Syse |page=672}}</ref><ref group="lower-roman">"Sikhism, Indian religion founded in the Punjab in the late 15th century." (McLeod 2019/1998).</ref><ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/classification-of-religions "Classification of Religions"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707224218/https://www.britannica.com/topic/classification-of-religions |date=7 July 2015 }}, ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] Online''.</ref> It is one of the most recently founded [[major religious groups|major religious group]] and among the largest in the world with about 25–30{{nbsp}}million adherents (known as [[Sikhs]]).

The core beliefs and practices of Sikhism, articulated in the Guru Granth Sahib and other Sikh scriptures, include faith and meditation in the name of the one creator (''[[Ik Onkar]]''), the divine unity and equality of all humankind, engaging in selfless service to others (''[[sevā]]''), striving for justice for the benefit and prosperity of all (''[[sarbat da bhala]]''), and honest conduct and livelihood.<ref name="Kalsi_Chelsea">{{cite book |surname=Kalsi |given=Sewa Singh |title=Sikhism |series=Religions of the World |place=Philadelphia |publisher=Chelsea House Publishers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YOI1nB_zTyAC |year=2005 |isbn=0-7910-8098-6 |pages=41–50 |access-date=15 May 2023 |archive-date=11 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111152823/https://books.google.com/books?id=YOI1nB_zTyAC |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Cole_Sambhi">{{cite book |last1=Cole |first1=William Owen |last2=Sambhi |first2=Piara Singh |title=The Sikhs: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices |publisher=Sussex Academic Press |date=1995 |page=200}}</ref><ref name="Teece 2004 4">{{cite book |last=Teece |first=Geoff |title=Sikhism: Religion in focus |publisher=Black Rabbit Books|date=2004 |isbn=978-1-58340-469-0 |page=4}}</ref> Following this standard, Sikhism rejects claims that [[Islam]] or any particular religious tradition has a monopoly on absolute truth.<ref>"Sikhism rejects the view that any particular religious tradition has a monopoly regarding Absolute Truth. Sikhism rejects the practice of converting people to other religious traditions." Kalsi, Sewa Singh (2008). ''Sikhism''. London: Kuperard. p.&nbsp;24. {{ISBN |978-1-85733-436-4}}.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Reichberg |first1=Gregory M. |last2=Syse |first2=Henrik |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=t3CFAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA672 |title=Religion, War, and Ethics: A Sourcebook of Textual Traditions |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |date=2014 |isbn=978-1-139-95204-0 |pages=672–674}}</ref> As a consequence, Sikhs do not actively proselytize, although voluntary converts are generally accepted. Sikhism emphasizes meditation and remembrance as a means to feel God's presence (''[[simran]]''), which can be expressed musically through ''[[kirtan]]'' or internally through [[Naam Japo|''naam japna'']] ({{Literal translation|meditation on God's name}}). Baptised Sikhs are obliged to wear the [[five Ks]], which are five articles of faith which physically distinguish Sikhs from non-Sikhs. Among these include the ''[[Kesh (Sikhism)|kesh]]'' (uncut hair). Most religious Sikh men thus do not cut their hair but rather [[Dastar|wear a turban]].{{efn-lr|Women may optionally wear a turban.}}