Hinduism vs Sikhism - Difference and Comparison

PracticesMeditation, yoga, contemplation, yagna (communal worship), offerings in the temple.Daily prayers. The three pillars of Sikhism are: a) To remember God at all times which includes being thankful to God for what you have been given, b) To live your life honestly/with integrity and c) Sharing what you have with those less fortunate.Use of statues and picturesCommonNot allowed as considered Idolatry. Pictures of the Sikh Gurus are considered Idolatry and are not accepted from a religious perspective. Gurus maybe praised because they are equivalent to God.Place of originIndian SubcontinentPunjab, in an area which was partitioned into modern-day Pakistan. Sikhs are now predominant in Indian-Punjab.Life after deathA constant cycle of reincarnation until enlightenment is reached.A constant cycle of reincarnation until enlightenment is reached. Sikhs believe that there are 8,400,000 forms of life and that many souls have to travel though a number of these before they can reach Waheguru. The goal is to merge with God.Belief of GodMany gods, but realize that they all come from Atman.MonotheismFounderNot credited to a particular founder.Guru Nanak Dev JiPlace of worshipTemple (Mandir)Gurdwara for congregational worship. Anyone may enter a Gurdwara, however-no matter their faith, caste, or skin color. Personal worship can be done in any place at any time. God resides in everything and everyone.Literal MeaningThe followers of Vedas are called as Arya, noble person. Arya is not a dynasty, ethnicity or race. Anyone who follows the teachings of Vedas is considered Arya.Sikh means "Student" in Persian-Punjabi. It Means To Learn.Sikh means a person who learn all his life from others.ClergyNo official clergy. Gurus, Yogis, Rishis, Brahmins, Pundits, priests, priestesses, monks, and nuns.The Granthi is appointed as one take care of Guru Granth Sahib besides No clergy. Raagi who sings the Granth Sahib Baani in Respective Raagas.View of the BuddhaSome Hindu sects claim Buddha was an avatar of Vishnu. Others believe he was a holy man.There is an important person in Sikhism who is called Buddha.Human NatureDepends on sects.People are essentially good; the divine spark within them needs only to be fanned into a flame of goodness. Sinning is following the veil of illusion "Maya". Karma is unavoidably paid f you sin.Means of SalvationReaching enlightenment by the Path of Knowledge, the Path of devotion, or the Path of Good Deeds.Worship God, do Good Deeds in the name of God, performing service for community. Fight 5 evils (5 sins) - Greed, Ego, Attachment, Anger, and Lust. Meditate, pray, and improve your relationship with God and God will forgive, cleanse, and save you.FollowersHindus.SikhsGoal of religionTo break the cycle of birth, death and reincarnation, and attain salvation.To merge with and have the greatest relationship with God possible. To love and obey God unconditionally. Guru Nanak Dev Ji stressed that we should not be afraid of God's wrath, but instead be afraid of not receiving the full benefits of God's love.Original Language(s)SanskritPunjabi was the original language in Sikhism and Persian also but Sikhs can learn as many languages as they want to learn.View of other Dharmic religionsThey believe that Buddhists, Jains, & Sikhs should reunite with Hinduism (which is the original Dharmic religion).Sikhs respect other Dharmic religions.Holy days/Official HolidaysDiwali, Holi, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, etc.No one day is deemed holier then another. However dates that have historical significance such as Vasaikhi and Gurpurabs are celebrated with Prayers in Gurdwaras.MarriageMan may marry one woman. However, kings in mythology often married more than one woman.Marriage can be arranged or it can be a love marriage. Monogamistic, against premarital sex. Marriage is the merging of two souls as one.Religion which atheists may still be adherents ofCharvakas and Sankyas are atheistic groups in Hinduism.A person must believe in God to be a SikhAuthority of Dalai LamaN/A.N/A.Population1 Billion.30 millionDay of worshipOrthodox schools prescribe three prayer times a day: at dawn, noon and dusk.Every day Sikhs worship the one God at their homes, even with or without a Gurdwara service.AboutDevotion to the various gods & goddesses of Hinduism.A Religion spread by 10 Gurus to preach to worship one creatorStatus of MuhammadN/A.Saint, a guru of time. He is mentioned in Sikhism- but is used to name the guru incarnate of god.(irrelevant to some)SymbolsOm, Swastika, etc.The Khanda ☬Identity of JesusN/A.Jesus is looked as a "saint". Sikhs do not believe that Jesus is God because Sikhism teaches that God is neither born, nor dead. Jesus was born and lived a human life, therefore, he cannot be God. However, Sikhs still show respect to all beliefs.Names of GodBrahman and many other names in other languagesWaheguru, Ik Onkaar, Sat Nam, Akhal Purakh.Second coming of JesusN/A.IrrelevantRitesSome Hindus believe in a "thread ceremony" for men.Amrit Sanchar (Being Initiated into the Khalsa. Equivalent to baptism).Use of statues, imagesCommon.Forbidden.Position of MaryN/A.N/AUse of StatuesAllowed, but not compulsoryForbiddenimams identified asN/A.N/A.Religious LawDharma shastrasNo necessary laws but a sikh may follow the 3 rules of their life such as 1)Naam Japna (remember/meditate on God) 2)Vand K Shakhna (give to those who need it) 3)Kirat Karna (earn by honest means).Confessing sinsRepentance for unintentional sins are prescribed, but intentional sins have to be repaid through karmic consequences.As the Divine light is in all of us, God already knows of our "sins". We are to pray to God for God to forgive us and cleanse us. Only through God and doing Good Deeds in God's name in a way that God is pleased can we obtain salvation-escape from sinBranchesShaivism and VaishnavismUdasis – An order of ascetics & holy men who follow Guru Nanak's son Baba Sri Chand. Sahajdharis – who are clean shaven but have chosen the path of Sikhism & eventual baptism. The Khalsa, who are baptized and follow the traditional practices of SGod's role in salvationBeliefs vary by sect. Upanishads (scripture) say God chooses who gets salvation. Salvation is attained via good deeds and righteousness (following the "dharma" and avoiding sin)God is generous and loving. mankind will reincarnate until he becomes a Sikh and achieves paradise.DefinitionThe word Hindu has geographical significance and was used originally for those people who lived beyond the river Sindhu or the region watered by the river Indus. Hindus themselves, call their religion "Sanatana Dharma, " meaning "Eternal Law."Disciple, student or learner of God.On ClothingDiffer from region region.Wear the 5 Ks (kangha, kara, kachera, kirpan, kesh)On WomenMainly women are considered equal to men and there are many Goddesses in Hinduism.Equal to men.Status of womenWomen can become priestesses or nuns. Women are given equal rights as men.Sikhism teaches that men and women are 100% equal in the eyes of God. Women have the exact same rights as men and are to be respected and honored. God loves both equally and neither is better than the other.PrincipleTo follow dharma, i.e. eternal lawsThe worship of the One God through prayer and devotion. Sikhs are required to meditate on God's name to clear their mind and eliminate the 5 evils. Meditation is also used to bring oneself closer to God.Time of origincirca 3000 B.C.E1469 AD.Can atheists partake in this religion's practices?Yes.Yes.AngelsThe concept of angels does not apply in Hinduism. Some mythological stories include rishis, who sometimes serve as the messengers of God.N/AConcept of GodGod is in everything and everything is God.Self Created, Indestructible, Unborn, Creater of Universe, Guru Nanak is God and Manifest.Status of AdamN/A.Only God knows who was created first and who will be created last. Most likely the first Guru on earth as a fish form.Geographical predominanceIndia, NepalIndian Punjab, hundreds of thousands in the US, Canada, UK , Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXFn5ynZpOkunCwyJ%2BdnqqVo7Cme6eipZ2tmai6oMLSmIqio5iewK4%3D