Facts About Sikhism II

It is a belief of Sikhs that before creation, all that existed was God and will or order. They feel that when God willed, the entire cosmos was created. These beginnings would give way to what is referred to as the human perception of reality. In this article, you will also learn more about the Gurus associated with the religion, as well as celebrations and festivals.

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion, but is also referred to as a revealed religion, which involves a connection or communication with supernatural entities.  Sikhs believe that God is timeless, shapeless, and sightless. One of the earliest Sikh scriptures states that God is omnipresent and infinite.

The concept of going to heaven or hell after death does not apply to founder Guru Nanak’s teachings. It is the belief that a spiritual union between God takes place, which leads to the salvation of an individual. The religion views social conflict and an attachment to materialism as the main obstacles that hinder the attainment of salvation. If one falls victim to these temptations, they enter an endless cycle of birth , also known as reincarnation.

Sikhs follow the word and guidance of gurus, who are teachers, guides, or mentors. Sikhism is built upon the traditions and beliefs of ten specific gurus , from 1499 to 1708. Each guru enhanced the religion by adding to the philosophy and making sure the message was solidly taught. In the end, the Sikh religion evolved. The final guru in human form associated with the religion was Guru Gobind Singh. Before he died, he decreed that the Guru Granth Sahib would be the final and unending guru of the Sikhs.

The sixth guru of the Sikhs was Hargobind. He his hands, he carried two swords. The first was for spiritual meaning, while the second was for “temporal reasons.” When the Sikhs became an organized community, they advanced their efforts to protect their interests when they established a trained fighting group so that they could defend their independence , thanks to the 10th Guru.

Sikhs celebrate festivals that mainly focus on the lives of the Gurus and Sikh martyrs. There is an organization that sets the dates of celebrations according to the new Nanakshahi calendar. The calendar is actually highly controversial in the Sikh community and is not widely accepted. Some people continue to follow the Hindu calendar in regards to Sikh festivals, including Hola Mohalla, Diwali, and Nanak’s birthday.
 
When the Sikhs celebrate or commemorate the lives of the Sikh gurus, it is referred to as a gurpurab. Usually, this type of celebration marks a birthday or recognizes Sikh martyrdom. All ten of the Gurus have gurpurabs, but in Sikh homes, the days associated with Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh are widely observed.

During Hola Mohalla, people gather at Anandpur to show off their warrior skills. Some of the events on display include fighting and riding.