Can Someone Help Me With My World Religions Essay

Cosmogony – View of Origin of the universe: Founded by Guru Nanak in the late 15th Century, the Sikh traditions and beliefs narrate that a revelatory spirit inhabited Guru Nanak and his nine successors. These events led to the rise of the Sikh religion, which is today practiced in the Punjab regions that are presently India and Pakistan. Today, this spirit can be found in the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, the foundational scripture of the Sikh tradition.

Sources: http://www.patheos.com/Li brary/Sikhism

View of the Nature of the Sacred (i.e., of “God,” “Ultimate Reality,” “gods,” “spirits,” “forces, … whatever term it uses): In the Sikh religion, the concept of God is uncompromisingly monotheistic and the “Ik Onkar” symbolizes this as they only believe in one supreme being. The “Ik Onkar” acts as a central tenet of the Sikh philosophy. The concept of God in Sikhism is uncompromisingly monotheistic, as symbolized by "Ik Onkar"(one Creator), a central tenet of Sikh philosophy. The Sikh religion believes that the creator is all-pervasive and is the only truth and that all creation is illusory. Thus, Sikhs believe that the only route to enlightenment is the realization that all creation is one.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wik i/God_in_Sikhism

View of Human Nature; Understanding of Humanity: The Sikh religion views human nature or the human life as an opportunity to merge with the divine will. However, the only problem with this perception is that human judgment is occluded by a false sense of self. When one follows these false sense of one’s and the false sense of self importance that comes with it, then that person is susceptible to such behaviors like lust, greed, pride and anger.

Sources: http://www.patheos.com/Librar y/Sikhism/Beliefs/Human-Nature-and-the-Purpose-of-Existence

View of Good /Evil, Right/Wrong; Morality; Key Values: Sikhs believe that evil only exists when people place themselves at the center of everything and by one being selfish. On the other hand, they believe that good exists because the Sikhs believe that their souls are connected with the divine world of the higher being.

Sources: Fisher, Mary P. Living Religions, 9th Edition . Pearson, 2014

View of “Salvation,” “Fulfillment,” “Attainment of Life’s Purpose”: Sikhs idea of the pathway to life is the main idea of salvation. According to the teachings of Guru Nanank, the divine process that is beyond human understanding accounts for worldly actions, no matter the religious allegiances of an individual. Those who have lived a good and righteous life have nothing to fear after this life whether they are Sikhs or non-Sikhs.

Sources: Fisher, Mary P. Living Religions, 9th Edition . Pearson, 2014

View of death and “afterlife” (if any): In the Sikhs traditions, there’s emphases for a life free of worry about the afterlife but this largely hinges on one’s ethical actions and piety in this life. Mukti or liberation is a metaphor used for the best result possible in the afterlife; Sikhs always envision this as finding unification with their creator at his court. Doing well in the cycle of birth and death brings about the specific person to living a good afterlife, thus one must strive to live an ethically upright life while still alive to enjoy life after death.

Sources: Fisher, Mary P. Living Religions, 9th Edition . Pearson, 2014

Key Practices and Rituals:

Sikhs do engage in a daily practice of meditation by reciting and chanting God’s name. This is because Sikhism instructs its followers that salvation can only be attained through meditating on one God. Thus, Sikhs always engage themselves in daily recitation as it keeps them focused in life and makes them live honestly. Through living honestly, an individual earns a good life and experiences better physical and mental effort while accepting God’s gifts and blessings. Reading 5 verses from Sikh scriptures everyday keeps one in focus towards God. The Sikhs are encouraged to share their wealth within the community and with outsiders through practicing charity. Sikhs need to overcome the five vices of Lust, Anger, Emotional Attachment, Greed, and Ego. Moreover, a Sikh needs to develop and harness positive human qualities that lead the soul closer to God. Wearing 5 Ks (Five Articles of Faith) Uncut Hair, Comb, Bracelet, Sacred Knife and Sacred Shorts keeps one focused in life. The Sikhs believe that consuming alcohol, smoke and drugs acts as obstructions in meeting God. Sikhs are also encouraged to practice vegetarianism as it symbolizes good health. Finally, Sikh as a religion rejects all rituals, superstitions and routine practices like fasting and pilgrimage, austerities, animal sacrifice, and omens.

Sources: Fisher, Mary P. Living Religions, 9th Edition . Pearson, 2014

Celebrations and Festivals: Some of the celebration s in the Sikhs calendar includes Nam Karan, which is the unique way a Sikh child is named. Amrit Sanskar is a sacred ceremony where it involves baptizing a Khalsa. In the Sikh religion, Akhand Path involves reading the whole Sri Guru Granth Sahib for about 48 hours by a family or by an expert reader and this ceremony is always for good or bad times. Is the reading of the whole Sri Guru Granth Sahib for about 48 hours straight by a family or expert readers. Gurpurbs are significant anniversaries that are carried out to commemorate the lives of the Gurus. The Bandi Chhor Divasi is a celebration that happens every year. The Maghi is the day where gurdwaras are visited and kirtan is listened to, honoring the forty disciples of the Guru Gobind Singh. Finally, Hola Mohalla is a yearly festival that occurs on March 17.-Another ceremony is the Sikh funeral. Hymns are read, and the body is cremated

Sources: http://sikhinstitute.org/eosp/ch-3.html