- "Sikhism, also known as Sikhi (Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖੀ Sikkhī, [ˈsɪk.kʰiː], from ਸਿੱਖ, Sikh, 'disciple / learner') or Sikh Dharma, is an Indian religion, and is a philosophy, that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, around the end of the 15th century CE."
A monotheistic religion that combines aspects of Hinduism and Islam and is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak.
Guru Nanak: The founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.
Ten Sikh Gurus: The ten spiritual leaders who developed and shaped Sikhism from the 16th to the 18th century.
Guru Granth Sahib: The holy scripture of Sikhism that contains the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and other saints.
Amrit: The Sikh initiation ceremony in which a person is baptized and becomes a member of the Khalsa.
Khalsa: The community of fully initiated Sikhs who follow the strict code of conduct laid down by Guru Gobind Singh.
Five Ks: The five physical symbols worn by initiated Sikhs as a reminder of their commitment to the Khalsa.
Sikh beliefs: The core beliefs of Sikhism, including the belief in one God, the importance of selfless service, and the goal of achieving union with God.
Sikh practices: The religious practices followed by Sikhs, including regular prayer, meditation, and participation in community service.
Sikh philosophy: The philosophical concepts and ideas underlying Sikhism, including the belief in the oneness of God and the equality of all human beings.
Sikh history: The history of Sikhism, including the emergence and spread of the religion, as well as key events and figures in Sikh history.
Sikh art and culture: The art, music, and cultural traditions associated with Sikhism, including the Sikh martial arts tradition and the distinctive Sikh architecture.
Khalsa: Khalsa refers to the community of baptised Sikhs who have taken the Amrit ceremony. They follow Sikhism strictly and are known for their warrior spirit and readiness to defend their faith.
Sahajdhari: Sahajdhari Sikhs are followers of Sikhism who do not undergo the Amrit ceremony. They may not wear the five K's or follow certain Sikh customs like the Khalsa.
Radha Soami: Radha Soami is a spiritual movement that originated in the 19th century in Punjab, India. It claims to be based on Sikh teachings, but has diverged from mainstream Sikhism and has distinct beliefs and practices.
Nirankari: Nirankari is a religious organisation that was founded in the 1920s in India. It is not considered a mainstream sect of Sikhism, but its members believe in Sikh principles and scriptures.
Namdharis: Namdharis is a Sikh sect that originated in Punjab, India, in the 19th century. They follow the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib and consider their leader, Satguru Ram Singh, to be a reincarnation of Guru Gobind Singh.
- "It is one of the most recently founded major religious groups and stands at fifth-largest worldwide, with about 25–30 million adherents (known as Sikhs)."
- "Sikhism developed from the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak (1469–1539), the faith's first guru, and the nine Sikh gurus who succeeded him."
- "The tenth guru, Gobind Singh (1666–1708), named the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib as his successor, bringing to a close the line of human gurus and establishing the scripture as the 11th and last eternally living guru, a religious spiritual/life guide for Sikhs."
- "Guru Nanak taught that living an 'active, creative, and practical life' of 'truthfulness, fidelity, self-control and purity' is above metaphysical truth, and that the ideal man 'establishes union with God, knows His Will, and carries out that Will'."
- "Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru (1606–1644), established the concept of mutual co-existence of the miri ('political'/'temporal') and piri ('spiritual') realms."
- "The Sikh scripture opens with the Mul Mantar or alternatively spelled 'Mool Mantar' (ਮੂਲ ਮੰਤਰ), fundamental prayer about Ik Onkar (ੴ, 'One God')."
- "The core beliefs of Sikhism, articulated in the Guru Granth Sahib, include faith and meditation in the name of the one creator; divine unity and equality of all humankind; engaging in seva ('selfless service'); striving for justice for the benefit and prosperity of all; and honest conduct and livelihood while living a householder's life."
- "Following this standard, Sikhism rejects claims that any particular religious tradition has a monopoly on Absolute truth."
- "Sikhism emphasizes simran (ਸਿਮਰਨ, meditation and remembrance of the teachings of Gurus), which can be expressed musically through kirtan, or internally through naam japna ('meditation on His name') as a means to feel God's presence."
- "It teaches followers to transform the 'Five Thieves' (i.e. lust, rage, greed, attachment, and ego)."
- "The persecution of Sikhs triggered the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 as an order to protect the freedom of conscience and religion, with members expressing the qualities of a Sant-Sipāhī ('saint-soldier')." Note: The provided text does not contain direct quotes that specifically answer questions 2, 6, 8, and 12. However, the answers to those questions are accurately summarized from the content.