Sikhism
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About Sikhism
Basic Beliefs
Sacred texts
Rituals and Holidays
Symbols
About Gurus
Historical Development, Present Day Facts and Influence
As a Worldview
Work Cited
RITUALS
do not believe in rituals and superstition
Babtism (Amrit Sanskar)
initiation into the Sikh religion
is a commitment
person will be babtized when they are ready
in presence of the Guru Granth Sahib
Marriage (Anand Karaj)
meaning blissful union
in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib
couple revolves around the scripture four times as the hymns are being recited
widows may remarry + child marriage is forbidden
Naming of Children:
naming ceremony after baby is born takes place at Gurdwara (sacred building)
the child is prayed for
the scripture is opened at random and the hymn on the open page is recited
the first letter of the first word of the hymn must be the first letter of the child's name
all names have meaning
word Kaur meaning princess is added after a girl's name
word Singh meaning lion added after a boy's name
HOLIDAYS
believe every day is a holiday worth remembering and every day should be spent a holida
y
Sikhs celebrate:
Hola Mohalla (February/March) - a time for contests when Sikhs show their skills at athletics, horsemanship and martial arts
Baisakhi (March/April) - New Year's Day in the Punjab
Diwali (October/November) - The Guru Granth Sahib is carried through the streets by five men
Lohri - the birth of children and newly married couples
the birthdays of the ten Gurus - festivals are held where the entire Sikh scripture is read, which takes 48 hours