FREE ESSAY ON SIKH

SIKH

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 be sent to Earth between 8 BC and 4 BC by god,
the ten Guru's, who found the Sikh religion five hundred years ago in the Punjab region
of India, were also considered to be messenger's of God (Jesus Christ 194-198; Mansukhani
1; Kleffman 1). These founders of the Sikh religion, unlike others of the time, recorded
their teachings and their 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 struggles to stay alive in India, even
today. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism established this religion, free from the
discriminating ideas of Hinduism and Islam (Mansukhani 2; Wolcott and Wolcott 48). Guru
Nanak Dev Ji carried the Divine Light, which allowed his body to be a platform for God to
speak on. This light was passed on to the other nine Gurus who created the Guru Granth
Sahib (Sikh Missionary Center 7-9). The eighth Guru, 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 really divine (Mansukhani 30-32). The lives of most Sikhs were
threatened by religious hatred everyday. 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 was 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 (Sikh Missionary Center 3, 248). 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 of social classes
(Mansukhani 15-16; Sikh Missionary Center 3-4). The Guru Granth Sahib also states woman
should be equal. Guru Nanak Dev Ji pointed out that women were never inferior to men
because they can get salvation also (Sikh Missionary Center 278). Besides promoting
equality, Sikhism respects other religions. The Guru Granth Sahib includes excerpts from
Hindu and Muslim saints, to show 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 also.
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 Buddh in
India and he never wrote anything with his hands. After that came Christ who did not
write anything himself. His teaching are only known through the Bible. Sikhism believes
materialistic items come in the way of salvation (Sikh Missionary Center 3, 248, 249).
Similarly, Buddhists also agree 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.
Although times have changed, the Sikh religion has remained unchanged for the last five
hundred years (Kleffman 1). The ten messengers God sent to Earth have helped form the
Sikh religion (Mansukhani 1). The holy book which the ten Gurus created is the living
Guru, since it will last forever and holds all the teachings of the past Gurus (Sikh
Missionary Center 244). The ideas behind Sikhism make it a unique religion.