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Authority (Sikhism)

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Sikhism

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Indian Religions ((EIR))

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Definition

There have been several shifts throughout Sikh history in regards to persons and/or institutions that have a position to control or compel obedience from Sikh devotees. The living Gurus as well as the Guru Granth and the Guru Panth have been centers of authority, as have the institutions like Gurdwaras, Takhts, sangat, and the Khalsa.

The Personal Guru and the Sangat

Historically, authority in Sikh life has been concentrated in the institution of the Gurū. Sikhī was founded by Gurū Nānak (1469–1539) in the Punjāb and was shaped by his nine successors, who also bear the appellation of “Gurū” – a prophet sent by God to enter the currents of history and catalyze change in the world. Unlike a Semitic prophet (rasūl), as in Islam, who revalidates God’s original message first communicated by Prophet Abraham (Qur’ān 3:81, 3:95, 4:125, 6:161, 22:78), the Gurū in Sikhī brings a radically new value system to humanity, challenging and then replacing existing ideals. Both God and its shabad...

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References

  1. Cole WO (1982) The Guru in Sikhism. Darton, Longman & Todd, London

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  2. Forster G (1798) A journey from Bengal to England: through the northern part of India, Kashmire, Afghanistan, and Persia, and into Russia, by the Caspian-Sea. R. Faulder, London

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  3. Gurū Granth Sāhib, SGPC, Amritsar

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  4. Mahboob HS (2000) Sehije Racio Khalsa [in Panjabi]. Singh Brothers, Amritsar

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  5. Singh K (1991) Guru Nanak’s life and thought, 1st edn. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

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  6. Singh K (2001) Pārāśarapraśna: an enquiry into the genesis and unique character of the order of the Khalsa with an exposition of the Sikh tenets, 3rd edn. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of South Asian Studies, Harvard University, 1 Bow Street, Room 321, 02138, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Harpreet Singh

Authors
  1. Harpreet Singh
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Correspondence to Harpreet Singh .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair

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Singh, H. (2017). Authority (Sikhism). In: Mandair, AP.S. (eds) Sikhism. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-0846-1_522

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