Sikhism
Geography:
Most Sikhs live in Punjab, India millions of Sikhs in Pakistan, Punjab.
Diffusion:
When the British took over the Punjab in 1849. They allowed the Sikhs to fight the British army. Britian created the independent states of India and Pakistan in 1947, they divided Punjab between the two. Preferring to live in Hindi- dominated India rather than muslim- dominated Pakistan, 2.5 million Sikhs moved from west to east Punjab in India.
Universal or Ethnic:
Sikhism is Universal because the religion is world wide.
Monotheistic or Polytheistic:
Sokhism is Monotheistic.
Founder/Origins:
This religion originated in Punjab, by Guru Nanak who traveled through South Asia preaching his new faith. Where he gained Sikhs which is the Hindi word for disciples.
Major Branches/Denominations:
Sacred Text:
the book of holy scriptures is called The Guru Granth Sahib Ji ( The Holy Granth of Enlightenment). The fifth Guru Arjan compiled and edited this book in 1609.
Doctrine:
Calendar:
The major holidays in Sikhism are the births and deaths of the religions ten Gurus.
Symbol:
Overview:
The Khanda is the main Sikh symbol, It is composed of four items, all traditional Sikh weapons: A vertical double edged sword with a broad blade, also called a Khanda, Two curved swords, called kirpans. They are called miri and piri, after the names given to his personal kirpans by Guru Hargobind, A ring called a chakker.
Holy Places:
Most holy structure the Darbar Sahib, or Golden Temple built at Amritsar in the Punjab by Arjan, the fifth Guru in the 17th century.
Architecture:
Fun Facts:
1.) World’s 5th largest religion
2.) 83,000 Sikh soldiers died during 2 World wars
3.) Early Sikhs built railroads, and worked in lumber mills and on farms
( http://www.infoaboutsikhs.com/faqs.htm )
4.) The Sikh turban symbolizes discipline, integrity, humility, and spirituality. The turban is a mandatory part of Sikh faith, not a social custom, or a hat that can be easily taken on or off. ( http://www.sikhismguide.org/facts.shtml )
Deneisha G.
Kristen H.