Sikhism is a religion originating in India, which emphasizes the oneness of God and the importance of living an ethical and truthful life. The spelling of the word "Sikhism" is pronounced as \ˈsɪkɪzəm\. It starts with the phoneme /s/ which is unvoiced alveolar fricative (the tongue is pressed against the roof of the mouth). This is followed by the short vowel sound /ɪ/ and a consonant cluster /k/ and /h/ that creates aspiration. Finally, the word ends with the /z/ sound.
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region of South Asia in the 15th century. It was founded by Guru Nanak Dev, who is considered the first Guru or spiritual teacher of Sikhism. Sikhism combines elements of Hinduism and Islam, but also has its distinct beliefs and practices.
Sikhism revolves around the belief in one ultimate, formless, and timeless God known as "Ik Onkar" or "Waheguru." Sikhs believe in the importance of devoting oneself to God and following a path of righteous living. They emphasize the oneness of all humanity and reject discrimination based on caste, creed, gender, or race.
The Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, is considered the central religious text. It is composed of hymns and teachings of the Gurus as well as several other saints and poets from various religious backgrounds. The Guru Granth Sahib is regarded as the living Guru and is accorded the same reverence and respect as the human Gurus.
Sikhism promotes a code of conduct known as the "Sikh Rehat Maryada," which guides the moral and ethical principles of Sikhs. It encourages leading a virtuous life, practicing self-discipline, engaging in honest labor, and contributing to the welfare of others through acts of charity. Sikhs also place great importance on community service and selfless acts of seva (service).
Sikh worship primarily takes place in a gurdwara or Sikh temple, where the Guru Granth Sahib is present and ceremonies like kirtan (hymn singing) and langar (communal meal) are conducted. The Five K's, including uncut hair (kes), a comb (kanga), a steel bracelet (kara),
The word "Sikhism" originates from the Punjabi language. In Punjabi, the term for Sikhism is "Sikhi", meaning "discipleship" or "learning". It is derived from the Sanskrit word "śikṣā", which means "instruction" or "learning". The suffix "-ism" is added to denote the religious or philosophical system associated with a particular belief or practice. Therefore, "Sikhism" literally translates to "the philosophy or followers of the Sikh faith".