|
|
|
Sikhism arose from the teachings of Guru Nanak, who tried to fuse the best in Islam and Hindu teachings and practice, combined with an intense personal revelation on the nature of God. As a result of religious persecution, the Sikhs established their own community and gained a degree of independence within Muslim-ruled India. Eventually, Sikhs began to spread beyond India, especially to countries formerly part of the British Empire. Worldwide, the number and size of Sikh communities is gradually increasing. A community can range from a few families to a few hundred. The presence of a gurdwara (temple) signifies a community large enough to support both it and its associated institutions (the temple is the focus of religious and community life). Unlike most other religions, there is no major doctrinal division within Sikhism, but Sikhs are increasingly divided over whether or not there should be an independent Sikh political state carved out of India and possibly part of Pakistan. Within India, Sikhs are migrating to the Punjab in increasing numbers. This is in response to rising levels of disturbance and tension between Sikhs and the Indian government. In turn, these are partly due to a growth of Hindu nationalism and to Sikh aspirations for their own separate state of Khalistan (Land of the Pure). —Source Acknowledgement: Joanne O’Brien and Martin Palmer, The State of Religion Atlas, 1993 Demographics: Worldwide: Sikhs number about twenty million, predominantly in Asia. —Source: The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 1994 United States:: In 2001 there were 57,000 Sikhs. —Source: The ARIS 2001 study Table
|
|
Instructional Systems, 163418 Fort Sutter Station, Sacramento, CA 95816 Email: OABITAR@aol.com Last updated 8/18/2006 OABITAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. All materials developed by Instructional Systems are copyright © 2002,3,4,5,6. Please contact I.S. to arrange for free duplication privileges. |
