Religion and Festival - Page 4
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Sikh
'There exists but one God, who is called the True, the Creator, free from fear and hate, immortal, not begotten, self-existent, great and compassionate.' (from Guru Nanak's hymn)
Sikhs wish to enable the soul at death to reunite with god - of whom it is part - and to achieve this by remembering God constantly in daily life and by truthful living, with service to others being particularly important.
The first Sikh Guru, Nanak, was born in India.
The Sikh scriptures, 'Guru Granth Sahib', are treated with utmost respect. Sikhs meet for worship at the 'gurdwara'.
The Sikh emblem symbolises God's love of truth (the central two-edged sword), the one-ness of God (the circle) and God's spiritual strength (the two outer swords).
- Guru Gobindh Singh Birthday 5th Jan
- Martyrdom of Guru Arjan 16th Jun
- Diwali 28th Oct
- Birthday of Guru Nanak 13th Nov
- Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur 24 Nov
Taoist
'In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. In speech, be true. In ruling, be just.' ('Tao Te Ching')
Taoists accept what is, without wanting it to be different, and study the natural order of things, working with this order rather than against it, for the way lies in 'Tao' (Natural Law).
Lao Tzu, who wrote the 'Tao Te Ching', was born in China.
Taoists study the 'Tao Te Ching' and religious ceremonies take place at a temple.
This ancient Chinese symbol encapsulates Taoist philosophy: the opposite forces of 'lying' and 'yang' are interdependent, each containing a part of the other.
Zoroastrian
'Good thoughts. Good words. Good deeds.'
(Zoroastrian Declaration of Intention)
Zoroastrians choose to aid Ahura Mazda - the Absolute Creator who is responsible only for good - to defeat evil and bring in the final judgment and the establishment of Paradise.
The Prophet Zarathushtra (Greek 'Zoroaster') was born in Eastern Iran.
Zoroastrians study the 'Avesta', which include the 'Gathas' ('hymns of Zarathushtra') and worship at home or at a Fire Temple.
The Zorostrian symbol represents a 'fravashi' ('guardian spirit') which is the good or spiritual self which exists to aid each individual.
- Noruz 21st Mar / 19th Aug
- Birth of Zarathushtra 26th Mar / 24th Aug
- Muktad 9th Aug
- Death of the Prohpet 26th Dec / 26th May
