
Contents
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The Human Condition The Human Condition
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Sikh Religious Practices: The Three Cornerstones Sikh Religious Practices: The Three Cornerstones
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Sikh Worship Sikh Worship
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The Gurdwara The Gurdwara
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Personal Worship Personal Worship
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Sikh Festivals and Celebrations Sikh Festivals and Celebrations
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Central Sikh Institutions: Harimandir Sahib Central Sikh Institutions: Harimandir Sahib
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Sikh Emblems and Symbols Sikh Emblems and Symbols
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Ik Oankar and the Khanda Ik Oankar and the Khanda
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The Five Ks The Five Ks
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Sikh Rites of Passage Sikh Rites of Passage
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Birth and Naming Birth and Naming
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Marriage Marriage
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Death Rituals Death Rituals
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Turban-Tying Ceremony Turban-Tying Ceremony
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Khalsa Initiation: Amrit Sanskar and Khande di Pahul Khalsa Initiation: Amrit Sanskar and Khande di Pahul
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Sikh Identity Sikh Identity
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Martyrdom Martyrdom
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Authority in Sikhism Authority in Sikhism
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3 Sikh Beliefs, Institutions, and Rituals
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Published:March 2012
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Abstract
This chapter describes the teachings, rituals, practices, and festivals of the Sikh religion. Issues of Sikh identity are also explored—an important feature of Sikhism both historically and in the present day. Central to Sikh teachings is the belief in the oneness of God, whom the Sikhs refer to in a variety of names, among them, “Akal Purakh,” Eternal Being. The gurus described the striving for union with the Divine in terms of the joys of marital bliss. A true devotee of the Divine was often presented as the bride of Akal Purakh. They also taught that while the essence of Akal Purakh is beyond human comprehension, that essence is everywhere, in every object, experience, and relationship.
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