Facts about Sikhism
Festivals in Sikhism mostly center on the lives of the gurus and Sikh martyrs.
The order, traditions and discipline developed over centuries culminated at the time of Ranjit Singh to give rise to the common religious and social identity that the term "Sikhism" describes.
Scholars have presented Sikhism as both a distinct faith and a syncretic religion which combines some elements of Hinduism and Islam.
Sikhism is distinctly associated with the history, society and culture of the Punjab.
Sikhism encourages constant remembrance of God in one's life, honest living, equality among the sexes and classes, and sharing of the fruits of one's labors with others.
Some of these groups may not consider themselves a part of Sikhism, although similarities in beliefs and principles firmly render them a part of the Sikh religious domain.
The traditions and philosophy of Sikhism were established by ten specific Gurus (spiritual teachers) from 1469 to 1708.
Sikhism is not a proselytizing religion and most Sikhs do not make active attempts to gain converts.
Adherents of Sikhism are known as “Sikhs” (students or disciples) and number over 23 million across the world.
Sikhism is a religion that began in sixteenth-century Northern India with the life and teachings of Guru Nanak and nine successive human gurus.
The evolution of Nanak's thoughts on the basis of his own experiences and study have also given Sikhism a distinctly unique character.
Groups such as the Nirankaris have a history of bad relations with mainstream Sikhism, and are considered pariahs by some Sikhs.
Sikhism has roots in the religious traditions of northern India such as Sant Mat, Hindu Bhakti, and Sufism.
God has no gender in Sikhism, though translations may incorrectly present a masculine God.
Sikhs maintain that their religion was directly revealed by God, and many of them consider the notion that Sikhism is a syncretic religion to be offensive.
Others, such as the Nihangs, tend to have little difference in belief and practice, and are considered Sikhs proper by mainstream Sikhism.
Guru Nanak Dev (1469–1538), the founder of Sikhism, was born in the village of R?i Bh?i d? Talva???, now called Nankana Sahib, near Lahore (in what is present-day Pakistan).
Etymolgically, the word Sikhism derives from the Sanskrit root ?i?ya meaning "disciple" or "learner."
