Foundations of Sikhism: The Gurus, the Guru Granth Sahib, and the Way of the Sikh

Sikhism emerged in the Punjab region of South Asia in the fifteenth century as a distinct spiritual path — not a synthesis of Hinduism and Islam, as it is sometimes imprecisely described, but an original revelation centered on the experience of the one formless God (Waheguru) and the teaching that authentic devotion expresses itself in service to humanity (sewa). Understanding Sikhism on its own terms requires setting aside those inherited mischaracterizations. By the end of this course you will be able to explain the historical emergence of Sikhism with the first Guru, Guru Nanak, and its development through the Ten Gurus, describe the structure and theological significance of the Guru Granth Sahib as the living Guru of the Sikh community, explain the core theological concepts of Ik Onkar, Waheguru, and Naam, describe the Five Ks (Panj Kakars) and their significance, and place Sikhism in its historical and comparative context within Indian religious traditions. What you will learn: - Guru Nanak's spiritual experience and the founding revelations that define Sikh theology: the unity of God, the rejection of ritual and caste, the primacy of inner devotion - The line of Ten Gurus: how each Guru developed the community (Panth), and the crucial events of Guru Gobind Singh's founding of the Khalsa - The Guru Granth Sahib: its compilation history, poetic forms, multi-author composition (including Muslim and Hindu saints), and its status as the eternal living Guru - Core theology: Ik Onkar (one God), Waheguru as the divine name, Naam Simran (remembrance of the divine name) as the central practice - The Five Ks: Kesh (uncut hair), Kara (steel bracelet), Kanga (comb), Kachera (undergarment), Kirpan (ceremonial blade) — their spiritual meaning and community identity function - Sewa: selfless service as a theological imperative expressed institutionally in the langar (community kitchen) — open to all, regardless of religion, caste, or wealth - The Gurdwara: its structure, the Ardas prayer, and how communal worship is organized in the absence of a priestly class - Sikhism and political history: the significance of the Sikh empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Partition's impact on the Sikh community The course is structured as a logical sequence from founding narrative to scripture to theology to practice to community and history. Primary text excerpts from the Guru Granth Sahib in translation are included throughout. Reflection prompts ask you to engage with the theological content analytically. A comparative worksheet maps Sikh theology against Hindu bhakti traditions and Islamic monotheism to clarify what is distinctive. This course is designed for learners with no prior background in Sikhism or South Asian religions. It is also valuable for students of comparative religion, South Asian studies, or global religious traditions. No prior knowledge is assumed.