Sects of SikhismSub-traditions within SikhismPortrait photographs of Sikh men from various kinds, appearances, and sects of Sikhism, from the 1930 first edition of Mahan KoshSikh sects, denominations, traditions, movements, sub-traditions, also known as sampardai (Gurmukhi: ਸੰਪਰਦਾ; saparadā) in the Punjabi language, are sub-traditions within Sikhism with different approaches to practicing the religion.
Nirmala (sect)Nirmala (Punjabi: ਨਿਰਮਲੇ, lit. "those without blemish" or "spotless") also known as Nirmala Saṁpardā or Nirmal Paṅth, is a Sikh sect (sampradāya) of ascetics that are involved in preaching and religious education. According to the traditional beliefs, the Sanatan Nirmala Sikh tradition was founded by Guru Gobind Singh in late 17th century when he sent five (or thirteen as per another version) Sikhs to Varanasi to learn Sanskrit and Vedanta texts.
SikhismSikhism, also known as Sikhi, is an Indian religion and philosophy that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent around the end of the 15th century CE. It is one of the most recently founded major religions and is followed by 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.
SahajdhariA sahajdhari or sehajdhari (Punjabi: ਸਹਜਧਾਰੀ(Gurmukhi); meaning "spiritual state of equilibrium adopter") is an uninitiated Sikh. Another early term is Khulasa, as opposed to the Khalsa. A Sahajdhari adheres to the principles of Sikhism and the teachings of the Sikh Gurus but may not wear all of the Five Symbols of Sikhism. For example, Sahajdhari Sikhs often wear a kara, but many of them cut their hair (kesh).
Education in Punjab, IndiaPunjab has a long history of education. Indigenous systems of education were surmounted by Western models after British colonization. Christian missionaries established many educational institutions during the subsequent period. Since independence, new schools and universities have propped-up. There are also many libraries located around the state.
SewapanthiSewapanthi (Punjabi: ਸੇਵਾਪੰਥੀ; meaning "fellowship of service" or "path of service"), alternatively spelt as Sevapanthi, and also known as Addanshahi, is a traditional Sikh sect or order (samparda) that was started by Bhai Kanhaiya, a personal follower of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. The order is focused on the welfare and altruistic service of others.
SadhuSadhu (Sanskrit: साधु, IAST: sādhu (male), sādhvī or sādhvīne (female), also spelled saddhu) is a religious ascetic, mendicant or any holy person in Hinduism and Jainism who has renounced the worldly life. They are sometimes alternatively referred to asyogi, sannyasi or vairagi. Sādhu means one who follows a path of sadhana (spiritual discipline). Although the vast majority of sādhus are yogīs, not all yogīs are sādhus.
Sanatan SikhSanatan Sikh (IAST: sanātana sikkha, Punjabi pronunciation: [sə.näː.t̪ənᵊ sɪkkʰᵊ]), a neologism and hypothesis formulated by Harjot Oberoi in 1987, to refer to Sikhs who formed the Amritsar Singh Sabha faction during the broader Singh Sabha Movement in 1873. It also describes those who while nominally identify as Sikhs, continue to follow Hindu beliefs and practices.
GurmukhiScript used to write the Punjabi languageGurmukhī (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ, Shahmukhi: گُرمُکھی) is an abugida popularly believed to have been standardized and used by the second Sikh guru, Guru Angad (1504–1552). Although some scholars trace its development to before Guru Angad. Commonly regarded as a Sikh script, Gurmukhi is used in Punjab, India as the official script of the Punjabi language. Historically, it was also used for Sindhi.
IndiaCountry in South AsiaIndia, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the world's seventh-largest country by area and the largest by population. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal on the southeast, it shares land borders with Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. In the Indian Ocean, India is near Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
DevanagariDevanagari ( DAY-və-NAH-gə-ree; in script: देवनागरी, IAST: Devanāgarī, Sanskrit pronunciation: [deːʋɐnaːɡɐriː]) is an Indic script used in the Indian subcontinent. Also simply called Nāgarī (Sanskrit: नागरी, Nāgarī), it is a left-to-right abugida (a type of segmental writing system), based on the ancient Brāhmī script. It is one of the official scripts of India and Nepal. It was developed and in regular use by the 8th century CE.
HinduismRange of Indian religious traditions*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.