Sikhism
Sikhism (from Sikh- meaning “disciple “or a “learner”) is a religion that originated in the Punjab region of India at the end of the 15th century. It is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak (1469-1539 CE), and the nine Gurus those succeeded him. Guru is a Sanskrit word and means” teacher” or “guide”. The Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh named the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib as his successor and forbade designating any more Guru.
Guru Nanak, the first Guru and the founder of Sikhism, like Sri Chaitanya (1486-1534) was a Bhakti saint. He taught that the most important form of worship is Bhakti. Sikhism rejects claims that any particular religious tradition has a monopoly on Absolute Truth.
The Sikh Scriptures use Hindu terminology extensively- Vedas, the gods and goddesses of Hindu Bhakti movement (Vishnu, Shiva, Pārbati, Lakshmi, Rama, and Krishna). It also refers to the spiritual concepts of Hinduism (Isvara, Bhagavan, and Brahman) and the concept of God in Islam (Allah) to assert that these are just alternate names for the “Almighty One” (Ik Onkar).
A person is defined as Sikh if he or /she faithfully believes in:
1-One God;
2-Ten Gurus
3- The teaching of the Guru Granth Sahib and the Ten Gurus.
A baptized Sikh is ritually required to wear five items, called the Five Ks. The five items are; Kes (uncut hair), Kanga (small wooden comb), Kara (iron bracelet), Kirpan (dagger or sword), and Kaccha(special undergarment).
