What Are the Origins of the Sikh Religion? (Video)
Sikhism, founded in the late 15th century, is rooted in the teachings of Guru Nanak, born in the Punjab region of India. Nanak was born into a Hindu family but showed an interest in exploring various religions, including Islam. He questioned traditional practices like caste distinctions, arguing that spirituality was about internal transformation rather than external rituals. At age eleven, he refused to wear the sacred thread, which denoted social rank, insisting that virtue and actions should define a person.
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One of the most significant events in Nanak's life occurred during a spiritual experience at a river. After submerging for three days, he reemerged with a profound revelation:
"There is no Muslim, there is no Hindu. God is not a Hindu or a Muslim. Whose path shall I follow? God’s path."
This experience solidified his belief that meditation and leading a moral life were the keys to spiritual growth.
In 1496, Nanak embarked on a series of journeys through India, Tibet, and the Middle East, preaching equality, justice, and the service of humankind. His teachings, primarily expressed through hymns called shabads, emphasized living a spiritual life without monasticism and rejecting rituals or the need for priests to access the divine. Guru Nanak laid the foundation for a new Sikh community in Kartarpur, promoting the values of justice, humility, and devotion. His legacy, continued by nine subsequent Gurus, ultimately shaped Sikhism as a distinct and influential faith.
Top image: Painting of Guru Nanak seated beneath a tree with his two sons (Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das), Bhai Mardana, Bhai Bala, and possibly Bhai Lehna (future Guru Angad). Source: Public Domain
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