Introduction to Sikhism
Founded in South Asia in the late 15th century by Guru Nanak, Sikhism is the youngest of the world’s major religions. Sikhs believe in One God, the equality of all people, and helping anyone in need.
The purpose of a Sikh’s life is to establish a connection with ‘God’—the formless, timeless, omnipresent, and omnipotent Truth that is the Universe. Sikhs make this connection through meditation, honest work, and self-less community service.
The word “Sikh” means student. The moment a Sikh stops learning and progressing toward a connection with God is the moment that person ceases to be a Sikh. Sikhs learn how to live their lives through the lives of the Sikh Gurus, who lived between 1469 and 1708, and the teachings they recorded in the present Guru of the Sikhs, the Sikh Sacred Scripture called the “Sri Guru Granth Sahib.”
The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is unique among the world’s religious texts as it is entirely poetry set to musical scales, detailing how one should live a life of love and connection with God. It is devoid of historical narrative, was composed while the Sikh Gurus (prophet-teachers) were alive, and contains writings from non-Sikh authors that the Gurus accepted. The tenth and final human Guru appointed the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the Guru for the Sikhs in perpetuity, just before he died.
Sikhs are easily recognized by their unique outward appearance. As part of the Sikh way of life, Sikhs are required to maintain five symbols of faith. Most notable among these five symbols is uncut hair covered by a turban. Turbans can be any color and often match a Sikh’s outfit.
Self-less community service is a large part of the Sikh tradition. Sikh Gurudwaras (places of worship) feature free community kitchens providing meals—called langar--to all service attendees and anyone in need. The Sikh institution of Langar was designed to combat the caste system, allowing people from all castes and backgrounds to sit together at the same level and eat the same food – a revolutionary idea in 15th century South Asia.
Sikhs are so serious about gender equality that Sikh first names are gender neutral. Further, Sikhs encourage equality and equality of opportunity for all—an individual is no longer defined and confined by family lineage or trade, and all have opportunities to connect with the Divine here and now, not in a future life.
Sikhs first came to North America in the late nineteenth century, working as farmers and laborers on the West Coast. One of the first challenges to citizenship law was from a Sikh in the United States Army named Bhagat Singh Thind. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagat_Singh_Thind Further, the first Asian American in the United States Congress was a man of Sikh origins, Dalip Singh Saund. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalip_Singh_Saund
Sikhs at Lawrenceville
Sikh students have attended Lawrenceville for several decades. Today, Savraj Singh Dhanjal is the Sikh Religious Life Leader, and there is a Sikh Students Association. The Sikh Students, in tandem with the religious life leader, organize events like Turban Tying Demonstrations, Sikh Awareness Presentations, and hopefully a Langar, which is the free community meal served at all Sikh Gurudwaras around the world.
The purpose of a Sikh’s life is to establish a connection with ‘God’—the formless, timeless, omnipresent, and omnipotent Truth that is the Universe. Sikhs make this connection through meditation, honest work, and self-less community service.
The word “Sikh” means student. The moment a Sikh stops learning and progressing toward a connection with God is the moment that person ceases to be a Sikh. Sikhs learn how to live their lives through the lives of the Sikh Gurus, who lived between 1469 and 1708, and the teachings they recorded in the present Guru of the Sikhs, the Sikh Sacred Scripture called the “Sri Guru Granth Sahib.”
The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is unique among the world’s religious texts as it is entirely poetry set to musical scales, detailing how one should live a life of love and connection with God. It is devoid of historical narrative, was composed while the Sikh Gurus (prophet-teachers) were alive, and contains writings from non-Sikh authors that the Gurus accepted. The tenth and final human Guru appointed the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the Guru for the Sikhs in perpetuity, just before he died.
Sikhs are easily recognized by their unique outward appearance. As part of the Sikh way of life, Sikhs are required to maintain five symbols of faith. Most notable among these five symbols is uncut hair covered by a turban. Turbans can be any color and often match a Sikh’s outfit.
Self-less community service is a large part of the Sikh tradition. Sikh Gurudwaras (places of worship) feature free community kitchens providing meals—called langar--to all service attendees and anyone in need. The Sikh institution of Langar was designed to combat the caste system, allowing people from all castes and backgrounds to sit together at the same level and eat the same food – a revolutionary idea in 15th century South Asia.
Sikhs are so serious about gender equality that Sikh first names are gender neutral. Further, Sikhs encourage equality and equality of opportunity for all—an individual is no longer defined and confined by family lineage or trade, and all have opportunities to connect with the Divine here and now, not in a future life.
Sikhs first came to North America in the late nineteenth century, working as farmers and laborers on the West Coast. One of the first challenges to citizenship law was from a Sikh in the United States Army named Bhagat Singh Thind. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagat_Singh_Thind Further, the first Asian American in the United States Congress was a man of Sikh origins, Dalip Singh Saund. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalip_Singh_Saund
Sikhs at Lawrenceville
Sikh students have attended Lawrenceville for several decades. Today, Savraj Singh Dhanjal is the Sikh Religious Life Leader, and there is a Sikh Students Association. The Sikh Students, in tandem with the religious life leader, organize events like Turban Tying Demonstrations, Sikh Awareness Presentations, and hopefully a Langar, which is the free community meal served at all Sikh Gurudwaras around the world.