God sends His messengers into the world from time to time to guide humanity,” states Professor Gobind Singh Mansukhani, author of the book The Quintessence of Sikhism. Although Jesus Christ was considered to have been sent to Earth by God between 8 BC and 4 BC, the ten Gurus who founded the Sikh religion five hundred years ago in the Punjab region of India were also considered to be messengers of God (Mansukhani 1). Unlike other religious leaders of their time, the founders of Sikhism recorded their teachings and beliefs in the Guru Granth Sahib, a holy book that is considered to be the eternal Guru (Sikh Missionary Center 244). The history, beliefs, and distinction from other religions make Sikhism a fascinating religion. Originating in the fifteenth century, Sikhism continues to struggle to stay alive in India today.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, established this religion free from the discriminatory ideas of Hinduism and Islam (Mansukhani 2; Wolcott and Wolcott 48). He carried the Divine Light, which allowed his body to be a platform for God to speak. This light was passed on to the other nine Gurus who created the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Missionary Center 7-9). Guru Harkishan Dev Ji became a Guru at the age of five (Guru Harkishan Dev Ji” Internet). His knowledge and power awed people who realized he was truly divine (Mansukhani 30-32). The lives of most Sikhs were threatened by religious hatred every day.
The fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, and the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, both became martyrs. Guru Arjan Dev Ji was tortured with boiling water, thrown on burning sand, and seated on a red-hot plate because he would not give up his faith. Similarly, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji also became a martyr. He refused to lose his faith and died saying God’s name. Today, Sikhs are still dying for their beliefs. (Mansukhani 23-25, 35-36).
For Sikhs, their beliefs are declared in the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib contains the words of all ten Gurus and is the eternal Guru. This holy book’s teachings are protected in such a way that its followers would notice if a comma or a period is out of place. Sikhism opposes the caste system that existed in India. In fact, the Gurus erased the caste system in Sikhs by creating a Langar system, which means Guru’s Free Kitchen. This system still exists today and requires everyone, rich or poor, to sit side by side and share a meal, despite social classes.
The Guru Granth Sahib also states that women should be equal. Guru Nanak Dev Ji pointed out that women were never inferior to men because they can attain salvation as well (Sikh Missionary Center 278). In addition to promoting equality, Sikhism also respects other religions. The Guru Granth Sahib includes excerpts from Hindu and Muslim saints to encourage Sikhs to accept other faiths (Gurbani CD 6).
All the beliefs of Sikhs are outlined in the holy book written by the ten Gurus themselves (Sikh Missionary Center 248). Although Sikhism is different from other religions, it is similar in many aspects. Unlike other religions, everything people know about Sikhism comes from the mouths of the Gurus. For example, The Sikh Missionary Center writes. . .
There came Mahatma Buddha in India, and he never wrote anything with his hands. After that, Christ came, who did not write anything himself. His teachings are only known through the Bible. Sikhism believes that materialistic items come in the way of salvation (Sikh Missionary Center 3, 248, 249).
Similarly, Buddhists also agree that materialistic values get in the way of nirvana, the state of peace (Buddhism” 319-325). Sikhism, Hinduism, and Buddhism all support reincarnation (Sikh Missionary Center 253; Wolcott and Wolcott 36; “Buddhism” 322). Although there are several similarities with other religions, Sikhism is unique in its own way. The Sikh religion has remained unchanged for the last five hundred years (Kleffman 1).
The ten messengers God sent to Earth helped form the Sikh religion (Mansukhani1). The holy book created by the ten Gurus is the living Guru, as it will last forever and contains all the teachings of the past Gurus (Sikh Missionary Center 244). The ideas behind Sikhism make it a unique religion.
