| Sikhism
was born out of the teachings of Guru Nanak, at the beginning of the 16th Century.
This movement rejected the harmony and the socio-economic divisions of the brahmanical
society. Founded by Guru Nanak in 1469, it was intended to bring together
the best of Hindu and Islamic religions. Its basic tenets are similar to that
of Hinduism, with the important modification that the Sikhs are opposed to caste
distinctions. Sikhs worship in Gurudwaras.
The Holy Book of the Sikhs is the Granth Sahib which contains the works of ten
Sikh gurus together with Hindu and Muslim writings. It was the tenth guru of the
Sikhs who gave them their identity by enjoining upon them the Five Ks. All followers
of Sikhism are never to be without the kanga (comb), karkha (bangle), kacha (distinctive
kind of underwear), carry a kirpan (sword) and kesh (leave their hair uncut).
Their children are baptized at a ceremony known as 'pahul'. . The
belief that all men and women are born equal is part of the tenets of sewa (service
or inter-aid). Every man, woman and child gives his or her time to help in the
Gurudwaras. Food is cooked by the devotees and distributed twice a day, which
people from all social strata eat together.
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