SikhismThere are about sixteen million Sikhs in the world today, and this stimulating and informative introduction to their history, doctrines, customs, and society includes extensive translations from their sacred texts. At the heart of their religion are the ten Gurus, who transferred authority from individual leaders to the scriptures and the community itself. Sikhism explores how their distinctive beliefs emerged from the Hindu background of the times, how a number of separate sects split off, and how far the ideals of sexual equality have been observed in practice. The result is a vivid and richly textured overview of one of the world's great religions. |
Common terms and phrases
accepted actual Adi Granth Akal Purakh Akal Takhat Akali amrit Amrit-dhari Amritsar Anandpur Ardās authority believed caste ceremony certainly claim concerning Dasam Granth death Delhi devotion divine Name doctrine early eighteenth century Eternal faith Five Ks followers Goindval Golden Temple gurdwara Guru Amar Guru Amar Das Guru Angad Guru Arjan Guru Gobind Singh Guru Granth Sahib Guru Hargobind Guru Nanak Guru Ram Guru Tegh Bahadur Guru's hair Harimandir Sahib Hindu hymns India janam-sakhis Jats Kartarpur Kes-dhari Khalsa Sikhs Khatris Lahore marriage masands means movement Mughal Muslim nām Namdharis Nanak-panth Nath nineteenth century Nirankaris Panth particular period person practice praise Punjab question rahit-nāmās Randhir Singh regarded religion religious ritual sacred scripture Sahaj-dhari Sikhs Sanatan Sikhs sangat Sants sect SGPC Sikh community Sikh history Sikh Rahit Maryādā Sikhism Sikhs simaran sing Singh Sabha society successor sword Tat Khalsa teachings tradition turban Udasis Vār village words zāt