Origin and History
Hinduism and Sikhism are both ancient Eastern religions, originating in the subcontinent of India. Although the two religions share some common beliefs, they differ in their core philosophies and teachings. Hinduism is said to be rooted in the Vedas, the holy books of the Aryans that were composed in the 2nd millennium BC. Hinduism is polytheistic and its basic teachings include the four Vedic laws-rituals, duties, prayers and correct conduct. On the other hand, Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak, who was born in the 15th century AD. He introduced a monotheistic religious movement, focused on spiritual piety and dedication to the divine.
Sects and Practices
Hinduism is subdivided into various sects and practices, each focusing on different gods, deities, and mantras. For example, the popular Shaiva and Vaishnava Sects direct their devotion to Shiva and Vishnu, respectively. Hindus commonly believe in the cycle of life and death, as well as in karma-the idea that the actions that a person takes in their current life determine their fate in the next one.
Sikhism is based on the teachings of the Gurus, and emphasizes the importance of leading an ethical and dedicated spiritual life. In Sikhism, people need to follow five pillars-daily prayer, honest living, acceptance of all people, charity and remembrance of Waheguru (God). These teachings are known as the khalsa-referring to the collection of practices by which Sikhs must live their lives.
Rituals and Texts
One of the primary differences between the two religions is the presence of rituals and texts. Hindus perform various rituals such as puja, havan, sankalpa and aarti, which differ in form and function. Hindus also read and study sacred texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Gita, Puranas and Dharma Shastras to understand the divine thought and refine their spiritual practice.
Sikhs have their main text, the Guru Granth Sahib, which is a compilation of the writings and teachings of the 10 Sikh Gurus. This text is an important and integral part of Sikhism and is the source of teachings about God and religious practices. The daily Sikh rituals involve reading and reciting hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, either in a group or alone.
Relationship with the State
Hinduism has a long history of a close relationship with state power, particularly in ancient Indian empires. The rulers of such states often viewed themselves as patrons of the religion, commissioning temples and providing funds for the construction of religious sites. This relationship between Hinduism and the state shifted over time due to the arrival of new religious ideologies such as Sikhism and Islam.
In contrast, Sikhism is distinct from the idea of a state religion. While Sikhs share many common beliefs and practices with Hindus, they also have their own unique spiritual and religious traditions. This includes an emphasis on self-discipline and dedication to God rather than a dependence on the ruling authorities.
Holy Sites
Hinduism has a number of holy sites, known as pilgrimage centers, associated with various gods and goddesses. These sites are considered to be the most sacred places for the Hindu community, and many pilgrims make trips to these places of worship annually. Varanasi (Banaras) and Rameshwaram are the two of most famous Hindu pilgrimage centers.
Sikhs have their own holy sites, known as gurdwaras. The most famous of these is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, which is considered the holiest of all. Gurdwaras serve as places for prayer, education and offer free meals for visitors.
Festivals and Celebrations
Both Hinduism and Sikhism celebrate a number of festive occasions and religious festivals throughout the year. Hindus celebrate numerous festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Navaratri and Raksha Bandhan, while Sikh festivals include Vaisakhi, Guru Nanak Jayanti and Bandi Chhor Divas.
Difference of Hinduism And Sikhism
In summary, though Hinduism and Sikhism have many common beliefs and practices, they also differ in their core philosophies and teachings. Hinduism is rooted in the Vedas and it is subdivided into various sects and practices. Hindus worship multiple gods and read the Vedas and other sacred texts for spiritual guidance. On the other hand, Sikhism is focused on devotion to a single god, and Sikhs read the Guru Granth Sahib. Whereas Hinduism has a long history of a close relationship with state power, Sikhism does not advocate such relationship and instead emphasizes self-discipline and dedication to God. Additionally, Hindus visit pilgrimage centers associated with various gods and goddesses, while Sikhs visit holy sites known as gurdwaras. Lastly, both Hindus and Sikhs celebrate a number of festive occasions and religious festivals throughout the year.
Relations to Other Religions
Both Hinduism and Sikhism have complex relationships to other religious traditions. For example, Hinduism has had an important presence in Nepal since ancient times, and thus there are both Hindu and Buddhist influences in the culture. Across South and Southeast Asia, there is a history of exchange between Hindu and Buddhist teachings, as each has influenced the other’s practices and beliefs.
In contrast, Sikhism was formed through the teachings of the Gurus and has a closer affinity to Islam that includes sharing of some common concepts and literary sources. However, there are significant differences between the two religions in terms of their beliefs and practices and so there are often tensions between the two religions.
Interfaith dialogue between Sikhism and Hinduism has been ongoing, although it is often conducted on a highly localized basis. The two religious traditions support and complement each other in terms of shared principles and values, such as respect for human life, nonviolence and the importance of justice.
Role of Women
Hinduism and Sikhism have different attitudes towards the role of women. In Hinduism, the position of a woman has been traditionally marginalised, but there have been significant changes in recent decades due to the rise of Hindu nationalist and reformist movements. These have sought to empower women and accord them equal rights within Hinduism and society.
Sikhism has a long history of respecting and empowering women. The Gurus advocated for the social and political equality of women, and historically, women have played major roles in Sikh institutions, family and households. They are respected and have the same role in worship and religious meetings as men.
Symbols
Hinduism has a wide range of symbols associated with it, such as the Tilak on the forehead, the Bindi and the Ganga water, which signify purity, devotion and respect. The most common symbol, however, is the Om symbol, also known as Aum. It is seen as the most sacred symbol and indicates the oneness of God and is said to be formed of the three Vedic sounds ‘A’, ‘U’ and ‘M’.
In the Sikh religion, the most common symbol is the Khanda, which consists of a double-edged sword in the centre, surrounded by two single-edged swords. Each of the three parts of the symbol has its own significance and is used as a sign of protection, strength and courage. The Khanda also symbolizes the oneness of God by representing the Sikh trinity-wisdom, meditation and service.
