The Teachings of Sikhism
The term Sikh is derived from an ancient Sanskrit term that means “disciple.” Sikhs are thus disciples, specifically of the ten Gurus, beginning with Guru Nanak and ending with Guru Gobind Singh, founder of the Khalsa.
Since then, Sikhs have been disciples of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the traditional name for their most important sacred text, the Adi Granth. A sound understanding of Sikhism therefore must begin with a consideration of the origins of this line of Gurus.By the time Guru Nanak had come on the scene, the important role of the guru had long been established within Hindu traditions of northern India. A guru is a spiritual teacher. Guru is actually used in three slightly different ways in Sikhism. Along with being the title of Guru Nanak and his successors and of the sacred text (Sri Guru Granth Sahib), it is used as a name for God. (In fact, Vahiguru, “Praise to the Guru,” is the most common name for God used by Sikhs today.) In each case, the guru functions as the teacher of God’s will. As Sikhs believe that God lovingly reveals the divine will to humans, God, too, thus functions as Guru.
We now consider the career of the guru of northern India whose extraordinary life experiences and bold spiritual leadership were to have such a profound impact that a new religion would arise.
More on the topic The Teachings of Sikhism:
- The Teachings of Sikhism
- Sikhism is the most recent in origin of the recognised Indian religions.
- The Teachings of Hinduism
- Guru Nanak’s Teachings
- Hinduism and Sikhism in America
- The Khalsa
- The Teachings of Christianity
- Brodd Jeffrey, Little L., Nystrom B., Platzner R., Shek R., Stiles E.. Invitation to World Religions. 4th edition. — Oxford University Press,2022. — 1196 p., 2022
- On God, the Human Condition, and Spiritual Liberation
- Subsequent Developments