SIKHISM AND HINDUISM

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion with about twenty million adherents. It teaches devotion to God and denial of egoism as the basis for the good life. Hinduism has most common aspects related to Sikhism.

Sikhism tenets denounce caste, idolatry, and ritual. Sikh beliefs include:

Five essentials beliefs in:

One creative source.

Ten gurus of history.

Authority of Guru Granth.

Teachings of the ten gurus.

Initiation rites established by Tenth Guru Gobind Singh.

Five articles of faith worn by initiates on the body:

Kes and Keski – Uncut hair beard and turban.

Kanga – Wooden comb worn in hair.

Kara – Steel bracelet worn on wrist.

Kirpan – Ceremonial short sword worn at the side.

Kachhera – Unique undergarment worn for modesty and chastity.

The Founder of Sikhism is Guru Nanak-Who was a Hindu Saint.

Here are some of the similarities between Hinduism and Sikhism:-

ReincarnationLike Hinduism Sikhism believes in the transmigration of the soul. There are countless cycles of births and deaths. One only breaks this cycle when they achieve mukhti (merger with God)

KarmaKarma regulates the reincarnation and transmigration of the soul, Sikhism links Karma with the doctrine of Grace.

“Mortals obtain a human body as a result of good deeds but he reaches the gate of salvation with God’s kind grace.” (Guru Nanak, Japji)

MayaThe world is just an illusion and some get enchanted with this illusion and forget God

Many Hindus, particularly Punjabi Hindus, visit Sikh temples. For instance, the Hemkhund Sahib is a high-altitude lake in the Indian State of Uttarakhand is regarded as a pilgrimage site by the adherents of Hindus and a Lakshman Temple and Sikh Gurudwaara exist close together on the banks of the same lake there.

When a Sikh dies, cremation is the preferred method. This is the same in Hinduism, although this is a cultural similarity between many cultures. Sikhs may also do the ‘immersion of corpse remains’ in a river after cremation, as Hindus do, although this is not a requirement; ashes may be deposited anywhere

Differences between Hinduism and Sikhism

HINDUISMSIKHISM

Concept of Deity Dependent on school of thought. Monism (everything is a manifestation of God), polytheism (many deities controlling different aspects of life), Monotheism (one God, perhaps with many incarnations or manifestations). Belief in one God and teachings of the Sikh Gurus. God is merged with the Gurus and the Gurus are Manifests of The Creator.

Practices Meditation, Yoga, contemplation, yagna (communal worship), offerings in the temple. Daily prayers. The three pillars of Sikhism are: a) To remember God at all times which includes being thankful to God for what you have been given, b) To live your life honestly/with integrity and c) Sharing what you have with those less fortunate.

Life after death A constant cycle of reincarnation until enlightenment is reached. A constant cycle of reincarnation until enlightenment is reached. Sikhs believe that there are 8,400,000 forms of life and that many souls have to travel though a number of these before they can reach Waheguru. The goal is to merge with God.

Principle To follow dharma, i.e. eternal laws The worship of the One God through prayer and devotion. Sikhs are required to meditate on God’s name to clear their mind and eliminate the 5 evils. Meditation is also used to bring oneself closer to God.

Use of statues and pictures Encouraged Not allowed as considered Idolatry. Pictures of the Sikh Gurus are considered Idolatry and are not accepted from a religious perspective. Gurus maybe praised because they are equivalent to God.

Goal of religion To break the cycle of birth, death and reincarnation, and attain salvation. To merge with and have the greatest relationship with God possible. To love and obey God unconditionally. Guru Nanak Dev Ji stressed that we should not be afraid of God’s wrath, but instead be afraid of not receiving the full benefits of God’s love.

Human Nature Depends on sects. People are essentially good; the divine spark within them needs only to be fanned into a flame of goodness. Guru Nanak taught that a man’s sins are moral lapses caused by his environment. They may be cleansed through meditation and prayer.

Religious Law Dharma shastras No necessary laws but a sikh may follow the 3 rules of their life such as 1)Naam Japna 2)Vand K Shakhna 3)Kirat Karna.

God’s role in salvation Beliefs vary by sect. Upanishads (scripture) say God chooses who gets salvation. Salvation is attained via good deeds and righteousness (following the “dharma” and avoiding sin) God is generous and loving. Mankind will reincarnate until he becomes a Sikh and achieves paradise.

Clergy No official clergy. Gurus, Yogis, Rishis, Brahmins, Pundits, priests, priestesses, monks, and nuns. The Granthi is appointed as one takes care of Guru Granth Sahib besides No clergy. Raagi who sings the Granth Sahib Baani in Respective Raagas.

Confessing sins Repentance for unintentional sins is prescribed, but intentional sins have to be repaid through karmic consequences. As the Divine light is in all of us, God already knows of our “sins”. We are to pray to God for God to forgive us and cleanse us. Only through God and doing Good Deeds in God’s name in a way that God is pleased can we obtain salvation-escape from sin

Offshoot religions Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism. Dharmik Schools and Teachings In Gurudwara.

Day of worship Orthodox schools prescribe three prayer times a day: at dawn, noon and dusk. Every day Sikhs worship the one God at their homes, even with or without a Gurdwara service.

Belief of God Several beliefs depending on school of thought: polytheism, monotheism, pantheism, etc. Monotheism

References:-

http://www.sikhs.org/relig_h.htm

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Hinduism_vs_Sikhism