Sikhism Essay
Jacqueline Dunn
February 2, 2015
World History Honors
Mr. DiFrancia
Quarterly Exam Essay II
Sikhism: A Hybrid Religion Under the Delhi sultanate, lasting from 1206 to 1526, arguments arose about the beliefs and contrasts between the religions of Islam and Sikhism. During this time period many Hindus converted to Islam for various reasons. A couple being the rejection of the caste system, or the fact that one served in the Muslim government. Additionally, Indian Muslims absorbed elements of Hindu Culture, for example marriage customs and caste ideas. One Indian man, Guru Nanak, had the idea and desire to blend the beliefs and practices of both Hinduism and Islam during this time. The ideas that he and the nine gurus that followed him preached and taught began to spread, and led to the rise of the religion we know today as Sikhism. Being a combination of both Eastern and Western faiths, Sikhism practiced the belief in the "Unity of God", the belief in reincarnation, and also the rejection of caste. To start, Sikhism portrays a strong element of a western religion which is monotheism. Sikhs believe in one god, as do Muslims. This is contrary belief of the Hindus, who are polytheistic. Sikhs focus their lives around their relationship with God, and center around the idea to understand and experience God. The ultimate goal is to become one with God, by switching the focus of attention from themselves to God. Sikhs believe that the divine being cannot be understood properly by human beings, but he can be experienced through love, worship, and contemplation. Sikhs and their concept of "Unity of God" ties into and portrays the more Muslim and western side of the religion. The second main belief of Sikhism is reincarnation. Reincarnation is a belief practiced by eastern religions, especially Hinduism. The Sikh concept of reincarnation comes from the Hindu concept known as Samsara. Sikhs believe that humans are in a constant cycle of birth, life, and rebirth.
February 2, 2015
World History Honors
Mr. DiFrancia
Quarterly Exam Essay II
Sikhism: A Hybrid Religion Under the Delhi sultanate, lasting from 1206 to 1526, arguments arose about the beliefs and contrasts between the religions of Islam and Sikhism. During this time period many Hindus converted to Islam for various reasons. A couple being the rejection of the caste system, or the fact that one served in the Muslim government. Additionally, Indian Muslims absorbed elements of Hindu Culture, for example marriage customs and caste ideas. One Indian man, Guru Nanak, had the idea and desire to blend the beliefs and practices of both Hinduism and Islam during this time. The ideas that he and the nine gurus that followed him preached and taught began to spread, and led to the rise of the religion we know today as Sikhism. Being a combination of both Eastern and Western faiths, Sikhism practiced the belief in the "Unity of God", the belief in reincarnation, and also the rejection of caste. To start, Sikhism portrays a strong element of a western religion which is monotheism. Sikhs believe in one god, as do Muslims. This is contrary belief of the Hindus, who are polytheistic. Sikhs focus their lives around their relationship with God, and center around the idea to understand and experience God. The ultimate goal is to become one with God, by switching the focus of attention from themselves to God. Sikhs believe that the divine being cannot be understood properly by human beings, but he can be experienced through love, worship, and contemplation. Sikhs and their concept of "Unity of God" ties into and portrays the more Muslim and western side of the religion. The second main belief of Sikhism is reincarnation. Reincarnation is a belief practiced by eastern religions, especially Hinduism. The Sikh concept of reincarnation comes from the Hindu concept known as Samsara. Sikhs believe that humans are in a constant cycle of birth, life, and rebirth.