Who Are the Sikhs?

Gian Singh Sandhu

Description

AN INSIGHT INTO THE SIKH FAITH AND WAY OF LIFE.
‘What is a Jew’ written by Rabbi Morris N. Kertzer and Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, inspired me to write Who Are the Sikhs?
Who Are the Sikhs? is teeming with knowledge, references, and answers to 300 frequently asked questions about Sikhi (the Sikh Faith) and its socio-religious and politico-economic affairs. The author traces the origin or road map of the Sikh faith and identity, and delves into the who, why, what, when, and where of the Creator and the Creation, including evolution. Sikh beliefs, ethics, and practices are eloquently described.
The question-and-answer format makes it easier for a reader to choose a topic and find a quick answer. It’s ideal for conversation students, researchers, interfaith couples, multicultural communities, and anyone who wants to know Sikhs. The book embodies both simplicity and scholarly details. The author depicts Sikh philosophy, theology, ideology, and relevance to contemporary life in a common phraseology, making it simpler for the average reader to comprehend. He also shows how susceptible and uncharted trails (such as abortion, test-tube babies, surrogate mothering, artificial insemination, etc.) can be approached and strategized through Gurbani, the spiritual utterances in the Sikh Scripture.

Sujets

• Inspirational
• Philosophie et théologie
• Gurú Granth Sahib
• Sijismo
• Sikh Rehat Maryada
• Gurdwara
• Title
• Sikh
• Sikhism
• Religion
• Guru Granth Sahib
• Sikhisme

Informations

• Publié par: Archway Publishing
• Date de parution: 28 mars 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781665739535
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Endorsem ents
What is a Sikh' is teeming with knowledge, references and answers hundreds of frequently asked questions concerning Sikhi and its socio-religious and politico-economic affairs. Gian Singh Sandhu has depicted Sikh philosophy, theology, ideology, and relevance to the temporal life most effectively and efficiently. Besides, he has also exhibited how susceptible and uncharted trails (such as abortion, test-tube babies, surrogate mothering, artificial insemination, etc.) can be approached and strategized over through Gurbani (Hymns in the Sikh scripture) me dium.
- Dr. Gurnam Singh Sang hera
Visiting Professor' Centre for Studies on Sri Guru Granth S ahib
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amri tsar
Who are the Sikhs? is a captivating read that encapsulates scholarly and socio-cultural research work. The author's perceptive mind has been able to find answers to many of the challenges facing humanity today. His depth of knowledge on each question and his analytical approach to presenting answers in a common phraseology make it easier for the average reader to comprehen d it.
- Prof. (Dr) Dharam S ingh
Former head of Encyclopedia of Sik hism,
Punjabi University, Patiala, Pu njab.
“Who Are the Sikhs? is a monumental effort by Gian Singh which fills a gap in public accessibility for well-researched information regarding the Sikh tradition. Written in a dialogic manner with no question left unasked, there is simply no better amalgamation for all people and the global caretakes of diver sity.
- Dr. Harjeet Singh Gr ewal,
Dept. of Classics and Relig ion
University of Calgary, Ca nada

WHO ARE THE SIKHS?

 
Previous Books by the Au thor
20-Minute Guide to the Sikh Faith (2020), Bhalaee Foundation, Surrey, British Columbia, Ca nada
Angahe Raah (2019), (Punjabi translation of An Uncommon Road ), Unistar Books, Chandigarh, I ndia
An Uncommon Road: How Canadian Sikhs Struggled Out of the Fringes and Into the Mainstream (2018), Echo Storytelling Agency, Vancouver, Ca nada
Previous Books to Which the Author Contrib uted
Guru Nanak Darshan: Philosophy of Guru Nanak (2019), Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Surrey, Ca nada
Guru Nanak: Revealer of Truth (2019), India Cultural Centre of Canada, Richmond, Ca nada
Guru Nanak Sahib: Jagat Guru—Founder of New World Order (2019), Akali Singh Sikh Society, Vancouver, Ca nada
Other Translations/Transliterations of the Author’s B ooks
Śīkha dharma mā ṭ ē 20 mini ṭ anī Pustikā (2022), (Gujrati translation of 20-Minute Guide to Sikh Faith ), Bhalaee Foundation, Surrey, Ca nada
Sikh Dharam Baare 20 Mintaan Di Jaankaari (2022), (Shahmukhi translation of 20-Minute Guide to the Sikh Faith ), Sanjh Publications, Lahore, Paki stan
Un-Gahe Rah (2021), (Shahmukhi transliteration of Punjabi Angahe Raah ), Sanjh Publications, Lahore, Paki stan

WHO ARE THE SIKHS?
 
AN EXPLORATION OF THE BELIEFS, PRACTICES, & TRADITIONS OF THE SIKH PEOPLE
 
 
 
GIAN SINGH SANDHU
 
 
 


 
Copyright © 2023 Gian Singh Sandhu.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.
 
Archway Publishing
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.archwaypublishing.com
844-669-3957
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Cover design by Davinder(Ravi) Deo of STUDEO Design, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.
 
1. Sikh 2. Sikhi 3. Sikhism 4. Sikh History 5. Sikh Gurdwara 6. Sikh Rehat Maryada 7. Sikh Marriage Ceremony 8. Sikh Culture 9. Sikh Articles of Faith 10. Guru Granth Sahib 10. SGGS 11. Guide to Sikh Faith. 12. Guru Nanak 13.Title
 
ISBN: 978-1-6657-3952-8 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6657-3951-1 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-6657-3953-5 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023903745
 
Archway Publishing rev. date: 03/28/2023

 
 
 
 
 
To Sri Guru Granth Sahib , the eternal Guru, for spiritual wisdom and guid ance.

CONTENTS
Fore word
Prol ogue
Pre face
Discla imer
Tips for Reading This Book
A Note about Termino logy
Part I: Origins: Road Map of the Sikh F aith
Chapter 1: Before We B egin
Chapter 2: The Founda tion
1. When was Sikhi fou nded?
2. What is S ikhi?
3. What are the basic tenets of S ikhi?
4. What was Guru Nanak’s vision of the Cre ator?
5. What are Sikh vir tues?
6. What are the core Sikh pract ices?
7. What things should a Sikh refrain from?
Chapter 3: A Spiritual Revolu tion
8. Who is Guru N anak?
9. How did Guru Nanak achieve self-realiza tion?
10. Was there more than one Sikh Guru?
11. What happened to the Sikhs after the tenth Guru?
Part II: Iden tity
Chapter 4: Defining a Sikh
12. What does the word “Sikh” mean?
13. How does Sikhi define a Sikh?
14. Is there a relationship between Sikhi and Hinduism and I slam?
Chapter 5: Being a Sikh
15. Are Sikhs an ethnic group or a cultural g roup?
16. Are Sikhs a na tion?
17. Do Sikhs speak a common lang uage?
18. What is the Kh alsa?
19. What is an amritdhari Sikh?
20. What is a kesdhari Sikh?
21. What is a sahijdhari Sikh?
22. What is a cultural Sikh?
23. What is a mona Sikh?
24. What is a gora Sikh?
25. What is a sanatan Sikh?
26. Are there moderate or fundamentalist S ikhs?
Chapter 6: Becoming a Sikh
27. How do you become a Sikh?
28. Do you have to take amrit to become a Sikh?
29. Do all Sikhs use the names Singh and Kaur?
30. What is amrit san char?
31. When was the first amrit san char?
32. Did Guru Gobind Singh take a mrit?
33. Did Guru Gobind Singh really behead the panj p yare?
34. Who are the current panj p yare?
35. What happens in a modern amrit cere mony?
36. Who Can Take A mrit?
37. What are the Sikh articles of f aith?
38. What is the significance of the Sikh articles of f aith?
39. Why do Sikhs carry a ki rpan?
40. What was the inspiration for the Sikh articles of f aith?
41. Should Sikh articles of faith be appropriated for adverti sing?
42. Who can wear Sikh articles of f aith?
43. Are Sikhs allowed to wear the kirpan anyw here?
Chapter 7: Outward Expression of Sikh Iden tity
44. Why do Sikhs tie a dastaar (tu rban)?
45. Is it ok to touch a Sikh’s das taar?
46. Can a Sikh wear a safety helmet or hard hat over a das taar?
47. Do colours have any significance for S ikhs?
48. Do Sikhs wear special clo thes?
Chapter 8: Eating for the Body and the Soul
49. Is food a part of the religious ser vice?
50. Are there any dietary requirements or restrictions for S ikhs?
51. Do Sikhs have any meal preparation or consumption rit uals?
52. Do Sikhs practice fas ting?
Part III: Pract ices
Chapter 9: Traditions and Art
53. Why are customs impor tant?
54. Is there a priest or clergy in S ikhi?
55. What is Parbhat P heri?
56. What role does music play in S ikhi?
57. Can anyone do Gurbani kee rtan?
58. Is there someone who interprets or helps explain Gur bani?
59. Are there written translations available of the SGGS?
60. Is any other type of music sung in a gurdwara besides kee rtan?
61. What is the origin of dhadi vaars in S ikhi?
62. What is a performer of poetry called in S ikhi?
63. Are non-Sikhs permitted to read the Sikh scrip ture?
64. Are there any bars to women reading the SGGS?
65. What is Sikhi’s most significant architec ture?
66. Is there such a thing as Sikh art?
67. Why do some Sikhs bow before paintings of the Sikh g urus?
68. Do Sikhs have a tradition of martial arts?
69. What are the folk dances of Pa njab?
70. Are some Sikh customs just superstit ions?
71. What is ka lava?
Chapter 10: Men, Women, and Sexua lity
72. Are women equal to men in the Sikh f aith?
73. What does Gurbani say about gender equa lity?
74. How did the gurus practice gender qua lity?
75. Do modern-day Sikhs practice gender equa lity?
76. What is the Sikh view on women’s face cover ings?
77. Do we walk the talk? What is Sikhi’s perspective on celi bacy?
78. What is the Sikh view on da ting?
79. What is the Sikh attitude on using beauty enhancement products or wearing jew elry?
80. What is the Sikh faith’s position on tattoos and body pier cing?
81. What are Sikh views on mod esty?
Chapter 11: The Sikh Wed ding
82. What is the purpose of marriage in S ikhi?
83. Is there an appropriate age for marr iage?
84. Do Sikhs have arranged marri ages?
85. Are there any Sikh pre-wedding tradit ions?
86. Are there nonreligious pre-marriage customs followed by S ikhs?
87. What happens when the bride and groom arrive at the gurd wara?
88. What is proper conduct inside the gurdwara at wedd ings?
89. Are there special rules of be