Sikh Faith Often Misunderstood

In the Western World, members of the Sikh faith are misunderstood, often thought of as a sect of other faiths, local members say.

To counter those misconceptions, the Sikhs are very open about their beliefs and conduct regular community outreach programs. Several this year.

The Sikh religion was formally founded in April, 1699, by its 10th living prophet "Guru Gobind Singh," Mohinder Singh Taneja, a member of the temple's leadership, said during a festival last spring. The event, observed worldwide on April 13 or 14, commemorates when the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, established the religion at Anandpur Sahib, the holy city in Punjab, India, known as "the holy City of Bliss."

The holiday is one of the most significant in the Sikh calendar, commemorating the establishment of the Khalsa, the collective body of baptized Sikhs, at Anandpur Sahib.

Technically, the origins of the faith date back even further. It originates with the teachings of Baba Siri Guru Nanak-ji

The 10th Guru refined the work of all his predecessors into the Khalsa (or "pure ones').

"For Sikhs the light of the first guru was the same light that resided in all 10 Gurus and is the same in Sri-Guru Granth Sahib-ji (the sacred text of Sikhism)," said Satvinder Singh Dadiahla, in an email to Plainview Patch from the United Kingdom, received Friday. The story of the Gurdwara's closing has caused international curiosity.

Back in April, the Plainview-area members had erected a large tent on the grounds where throughout the day. A wide assortment of vegetarian dishes and sweets were available to visitors.

Like other festivals put on by other religious organizations, the Sikhs hold special outdoor events from time to time. All community organizations are required to get public assembly permits for such events and meet all other town and state building code requirements, said Phyliss Barry, a spokeswoman for the Town of Oyster Bay.

Sikhs follow the teachings of the 10 enlightened leaders known as the Sikh gurus, and follow the holy scripture called Gurū Granth Sāhib Ji. The Granth begins with the iconic Mūl Mantra: 

According to Wikipedia, it reads in Punjabi:" ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥"

The English translation is: One Universal Creator God, The Name Is Truth, Creative Being Personified, No Fear, No Hatred, Image Of The Timeless One, Beyond Birth, Self Existent, By Guru's Grace."

There are 26 million members of the monotheistic religion across the world. The great majority live in Punjab, India, all though the faith has spread throughout the world.