Hindus consider the Vedas to be their main holy scripture. A Veda is considered divine and Vedic mantras are often recited during prayers or rituals. Sikhs do not believe in the Vedas and instead consider the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib to be their guiding scripture.
Hinduism and Sikhism are Indian religions. Hinduism has pre-historic origins, while Sikhism was founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak. Both religions share many philosophical concepts such as Karma, Dharma, Mukti, Maya although both religions have different interpretation of some of these concepts.
Marrying people of other faiths is acceptable, they say, but conducting that marriage in a Sikh temple is not. Non-Sikhs can only be involved if they accept the Sikh faith and change their name to include Singh or Kaur, the council insists.
Sikhs believe in One and only One God, whereas Hindus worship a number of gods, goddesses, and deities. 2. The Hindu Trinity– Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva– is altogether rejected by Sikhs.
Sikhism is closer to Hinduism than Islam as it retains Hindi theories of karma and reincarnation, even though Sikhism foundations are closer to Islam as it advocates monotheism.
The Sikh religion forbids the use of alcohol and other intoxicants. Sikhs are also not allowed eat meat - the principle is to keep the body pure. All gurdwaras are supposed to follow the Sikh code, known as the Akal Takht Sandesh, which comes from the highest Sikh authority in India.
Sikhs have many words to describe God. The name most widely used for God by Sikhs is Waheguru , which means 'wondrous enlightener'. Sikhs believe that there is only one God, who created everything. They believe that Waheguru must remain in the mind at all times.
Ever since the founding of the faith more than 500 years ago, Sikhs have used 'Allah' to refer to God as well as many other terms. The word 'Allah' appears repeatedly in their Holy Book. The religion is epitomised by the Mool Mantar that appears as the first verse in the Sikh Holy Book.
Sikhs worship God and only God. Unlike members of many other religions they worship God in his true abstract form, and don't use images or statues to help them. Sikh worship can be public or private.
Drinking alcohol is often associated with the Punjabi culture, but is prohibited in Sikhism. Baptised Sikhs are forbidden from drinking but some non-baptised Sikhs do consume alcohol. Whilst the vast majority of those who do drink have no problem, a small number of Punjabi Sikh women are affected.
In Sikhism, there is no place for polygamy and polyandry. Sikh Gurus advocated the institution of monogamous marriage. Marriage in Sikhism is not a social contract.
The Khalsa Sikh men and women, who keep the Five Ks, wear the turban to cover their long, uncut hair (kesh). The Sikhs regard the dastār as an important part of the unique Sikh identity.
Diwali is a significant festival in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism.
Sikhs are largely concentrated in the modern-day state of Punjab forming 57.7% of the population with Hindus forming 38.5%. Ethnic Punjabis are believed to account for at least 40% of Delhi's total population and are predominantly Hindi-speaking Punjabi Hindus.
Sikhs believe in the oneness of all beings and the equality of everyone. The Sikh faith is a monotheistic religion, meaning Sikhs worship one God. Guru Nanak taught that one must honor God by honoring others and the Earth, God's creation.
Islam is an Abrahamic religion founded in the Arabian Peninsula, while Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent.
Life After Death: Sikhs believe that upon death one merges back into the universal nature, just as a drop of rain merges back into the ocean. Individuality is lost. Sikhs do not believe in heaven or hell.
The Guru Granth Sahib is the sacred text of the Sikh community and the embodiment of the Guru. It is central to the lives of devout Sikhs, both in the sense of being physically present in the gurdwara and as Sikhs' ultimate spiritual authority.
The nitnem banis are the five daily prayers of Sikhism. In the morning, after taking bath, a Sikh says Japuji Sahib, Jaap Sahib and 10 Savaiyye, Sodar Rahras Sahib in the evening and Kirtan Sohila at bedtime. These five banis are known as panj (five) banis. Ardas or prayer follows the recitation of the banis.
WHY DON'T SIKHS CUT OR SHAVE THEIR HAIR? The founders of the Sikh faith started the practice of maintaining hair unshorn. Many Sikhs interpret the keeping of kesh as a sign of commitment and acceptance of God's Will.
Kirpans are typically sheathed and worn with a gatra (a strap) underneath clothing. The kirpan obligates a Sikh to the ideals of generosity, compassion and service to humanity. It acts as a reminder to its bearer of a Sikh's solemn duty to protect the weak and promote justice for all.
Indian religions
Sikh infants are not circumcised. Sikhism does not require circumcision of either males or females, and criticizes the practice.
In this spirit, Sikh women and men maintain five articles of faith, popularly known as the five Ks. These are: kes (long, uncut hair), kara (steel bracelet), kanga (wooden comb), kirpan (small sword) and kachera (soldier-shorts).
The turban protects the hair and keeps it clean. As Sikhs form 1.7% of India's population and 1.5% of Canada's population, their turbans help identify them. When he institutionalized the turban as a part of the Sikh identity, Guru Gobind Singh said, "My Sikh will be recognized among millions".
Sikhism is staunchly monotheistic, like Islam, though Sikh writings do reveal veneration of Krishna (Govind, Hari, Bitthal), Ram and Durga (Chandi) as well as Allah in the spirit of unity with all faiths, a hallmark of Bhakti-Sufi practices.