Sikhism

Understanding the Kirpan

Sikhism

The Sikh religion is the youngest of the five major world religions.  It originated in northern India in the late 1400s, with its founder, Guru Nanak who was a spiritual teacher and social reformer. He directed people to meditate daily (nam japna), work hard (kirat karna), and share their earnings with others without discrimination (vand shakna).  These three enjoinders have become the pillars of Sikh society.  Read more »

STATEMENT BY THE WSO ON THE NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE AND ACTION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Ottawa December 6, 2010: The World Sikh Organization of Canada commemorates the National Day of Remembrance and Action Violence Against Women. On December 6, 1989, a gunman opened fire and took the lives of 14 innocent young women at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal.

On this day, we face some very grim statistics about violence against women in Canada: Read more »

Recommended Readings

Recommended Readings coming soon

Sikh Holidays

Note: These dates and other events are also available in the calendar.
Diwali Friday, 5 November, 2010 (All day)

Festival of lights, marking the end of the year with fireworks and lanterns
Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Saturday, 20 November, 2010 (All day)

Commemorates the birth of the founder and First Guru of Sikh in 1469
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Nanakshahi calendar) Wednesday, 24 November, 2010 (All day)

Commemoration of the death of the ninth guru of Sikh by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb
Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Tuesday, 4 January, 2011 (All day)

Anniversary of the birth of the tenth and last Sikh guru, in 1666
Maghi Thursday, 13 January, 2011 (All day)

Remembrance of the battle during which 40 Sikhs died on behalf of Guru Gobind Singh
Birthday of Guru Har Rai Sunday, 30 January, 2011 (All day)

Anniversary of the birth of the seventh guru in 1630
Hola Mohalla Wednesday, 2 February, 2011 (All day) - Friday, 4 February, 2011 (All day)

Three-day festival of mock battles and military activities
Vaisakhi Tuesday, 12 April, 2011 (All day)

Harvest festival, marking the beginning of the Sikh solar year
Birthday of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sunday, 17 April, 2011 (All day)

Anniversary of the birth of the ninth guru in 1621
Birthday of Guru Angad Dev Sunday, 17 April, 2011 (All day)

Anniversary of the birth of the second guru in 1504
Birthday of Guru Nanak Thursday, 21 April, 2011 (All day)

Anniversary of the birth of the founder of Sikh in 1469
Birthday of Guru Arjan Dev Sunday, 1 May, 2011 (All day)

Anniversary of the birth of the fifth guru in 1563
Birthday of Guru Amar Das Sunday, 22 May, 2011 (All day)

Anniversary of the birth of the third guru in 1479
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Wednesday, 15 June, 2011 (All day)

Anniversary of the death of the fifth guru
Birthday of Guru Har Krishan Friday, 22 July, 2011 (All day)

Anniversary of the birth of the eighth guru in 1656
Birthday of Guru Ram Das Monday, 10 October, 2011 (All day)

Anniversary of the birth of the fourth guru in 1534
Installation of Guru Granth Sahib Wednesday, 19 October, 2011 (All day)

Commemoration of Guru Arjan Dev Ji 's preparation of the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book of Sikhs) from 1563-1606
Bandi Chhor Divas Friday, 4 November, 2011 (All day)

Celebration of the safe return of Guru Har Gobind from imprisonment in 1619

What is Sikhism?

Sikhism is the fifth largest world religion with over 25 million devotees worldwide. It is a monotheistic religion founded in 1469, by Guru Nanak. It holds as its basic tenets, the equality of mankind, the equality of men and women, and the fundamental equality of all religions. Guru Nanak rejected idolatry and the caste system, and taught that there is a universal, genderless and formless God, who is accessible equally to all, irrespective of their race or religion.

Read more »

Kirpan

The kirpan most closely resembles a sword in a metal sheath, which is wrapped in a fabric cloth (gathra). It is worn close to the body, either on top of or underneath one’s clothing. The kirpan serves as a reminder to a Sikh of his/her mortality. It is an enjoinder to make the most of one’s life, and to take personal responsibility to protect the weak and stand up against injustice.

Kachhera

The kachhera resembles boxer shorts, and is cotton underwear worn underneath one’s clothing. The kachhera reminds the Sikh of expected high moral character, fidelity, and restraint.

Kara

The Kara is an iron or steel bracelet worn on the wrist. The circular design of the kara signifies the oneness and eternity of God. By wearing it on the wrist, it is a reminder to the wearer to bind one’s will to the will of God. By wearing it on the wrist that one uses the most, it also serves as an enjoinder to a Sikh to use one’s hands for the benefit of humankind.

Kanga

The Kanga is a wooden comb representing orderliness and self-discipline. It is worn in the hair, and is used to keep the hair neat and tidy. The kanga represents hygiene as well as ridding oneself of what is morally undesirable

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Kesh

Kesh refers to the keeping of unshorn hair. The keeping of unshorn hair serves as a sign of respect for God’s creation and God’s will. The unshorn hair is to be covered at all times by a keski or dastar (turban). Some women choose to cover their heads with a scarf as well. The dastar is an integral part of Sikh identity, and serves as an outward form of recognition of Sikh men and women. It signifies a sign of humility and belief in equality between men and women.


  

Articles of Faith

The five articles of faith inherent to the identity of a Sikh are commonly known as the five kakaar’s, or five k’s. An amritdhari Sikh (a practicing Sikh who has been initiated into the religion) is required to keep them on his/her person at all times. Each of the five k’s represents different aspects of the belief system of the Sikhs. They are the primary means of identifying a practicing Sikh, and are to be kept by both men and women.

Sikhism, Sikh Holidays

  • Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh
    • 01/04/10
    • Anniversary of the birth of the tenth and last Sikh guru, in 1666 
  • Maghi
    • 01/13/10
    • Remembrance of the battle during which 40 Sikhs died on behalf of Guru Gobind Singh
  • Birthday of Guru Har Rai
    • 01/30/10
    • Anniversary of the birth of the seventh guru in 1630 
  • Hola Mohalla
    • 02/28/10
    • Three-day festival of mock battles and military activities
  • Vaisakhi
    • 04/12/10
    • Harvest festival, marking the beginning of
      Read more »

Core Sikh Beliefs

  • There is one God for all humanity.
  • God has no particular form, color, caste, gender, or language.
  • All humans, men and women, are equal before God.
  • It is imperative to earn an honest living and share ones earnings with others.
  • One should strive in their lives to realizing the spark of the divine within themselves.
  • Refraining from intoxicants (alcohol, tobacco, and drugs).

Turban-wearing women buck trend

Submitted by WSO Staff on Mon, 26/07/2010 - 14:22

The Toronto Star has published an article about turban wearing Sikh women.

Disputing Sikh extremism

Disputing Sikh extremism
Ottawa Citizen
16/07/2010
Citizen Special
by: 
Balpreet Singh Boparai

As a Sikh Canadian, who was born in a Toronto suburb, roots for the Leafs, did law at the University of Ottawa, and works for a human rights organization, I'm astounded to hear claims from politicians that so-called "Sikh extremism" in on the rise.

If that's the case, there's no word of it among the more than 400,000 members of the Canadian Sikh community. The only thing we see on the rise is racism fuelled by these reckless comments. Read more »

Some key dates in a century of Sikhism in B.C.

Some key dates in a century of Sikhism in B.C.
The Province
16/04/2010

1904: The arrival of the first wave of Sikh immigrants. The census listed 258 Sikhs. Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikh Holy book was first brought to Canada by Bhai Arjan Singh. The scriptures were located at a house in Port Moody.

1905: For the next three years, 5,000 Sikhs came to Canada.

1906: A house was rented in Vancouver to start a Gurdwara or Sikh place of worship.

1907: Foundation stone of the Gurdwara for Khalsa Diwan Society was laid at 1866 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver. Read more »

The new face of Canada's Sikhs

The new face of Canada's Sikhs
Globe And Mail
16/11/2009
by: 
Robert Matas

Vancouver — From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
Published on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 10:03PM EST
Last updated on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 4:18AM EST

Nineteen-year-old Gursimran Kaur puts gender equality and fighting domestic violence at the top of her agenda as a new member of the management committee at one of the largest Sikh temples in North America. Read more »

What is Sikhism?

Sikhism is the fifth largest world religion with over 25 million devotees worldwide. It is a monotheistic religion founded in 1469, by Guru Nanak. It holds as its basic tenets, the equality of mankind, the equality of men and women, and the fundamental equality of all religions. Guru Nanak rejected idolatry and the caste system, and taught that there is a universal, genderless and formless God, who is accessible equally to all, irrespective of their race or religion. Read more »

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