- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Teach Yourself; New Ed edition (27 Jun 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340867590
- ISBN-13: 978-0340867594
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
416,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #43 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Religions > Sikhism
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
Teach Yourself Sikhism is a comprehensive guide to the faith itself and to Sikh society. It looks at all aspects of Sikhism including:
- worship and festivals
- Sikh initiation
- the Gurus and the beginnings of Sikhism
- the Sikh scriptures and teachings about God
- the family
- marriage and death
- Sikh names and the naming ceremony
- ethics
- Sikhism in the modern period.
The 'Teach Yourself World Faiths' series aims to present all the essential information required by a reader who has no previous knowledge of the religion, but who wants to feel confident in dealing with members of the faith community - in terms of their beliefs and attitudes, and also of the practical details of their culture, ceremony, diet and moral views. As such it is relevant to the needs of police, social workers, solicitors, businessmen, teachers and all who require sensitivity and insight in dealing with the public in a multi-faith and multi-ethnic society.
"Teach Yourself Sikhism" is an introduction to the history, beliefs, religious practices and social customs of Sikhism. It is suitable for A-level students, as background reading for undergraduate students in Religious Studies, and for the general reader.
- worship and festivals
- Sikh initiation
- the Gurus and the beginnings of Sikhism
- the Sikh scriptures and teachings about God
- the family
- marriage and death
- Sikh names and the naming ceremony
- ethics
- Sikhism in the modern period.
The 'Teach Yourself World Faiths' series aims to present all the essential information required by a reader who has no previous knowledge of the religion, but who wants to feel confident in dealing with members of the faith community - in terms of their beliefs and attitudes, and also of the practical details of their culture, ceremony, diet and moral views. As such it is relevant to the needs of police, social workers, solicitors, businessmen, teachers and all who require sensitivity and insight in dealing with the public in a multi-faith and multi-ethnic society.
"Teach Yourself Sikhism" is an introduction to the history, beliefs, religious practices and social customs of Sikhism. It is suitable for A-level students, as background reading for undergraduate students in Religious Studies, and for the general reader.
About the Author
Owen Cole is a writer and lecturer in Religious Studies and the author of many books on Sikhism.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent introduction into the world and religion of Sikhism. Cole contextualises the daily practices and the Sikh philosophy in a clear and non-trivial way (triviality so often being a feature of such introductions). At the same time he directly addresses the historical roots and the issues, social and political, faced by Sikhs. This really is a worth-while book.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am currently training to be a secondary school teacher and have found this book invauable in covering the major topics neccesary to meet the stated criteria.
Its content is straightforward, understandable and flows logically from one chapter to another providing a sound basis of the Sikh religion, belief structure, practices and approaches to modern day situations.
Its content is straightforward, understandable and flows logically from one chapter to another providing a sound basis of the Sikh religion, belief structure, practices and approaches to modern day situations.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a great introductory book on Sikhism and it is clear from his respect and engaging tone that Owen Cole has a fond familiarity with the Sikh community. The front cover of the book cites its goal as "in-depth understanding", and I agree that if you were to read the book from cover to cover and make the effort to take the information in and go and do your own research, you would definitely reach that objective. It covers all the major points and adds some anecdotes here and there which help make the book more accessible by applying it to particular scenarios. It is also well balanced and honest, for example in explaining the caste system (which has no place in Sikhi) he does admit that it is still influential in Panjabi culture and therefore is an issue for some families.
As for criticisms, I did notice that occasionally a prominent Sikh figure was mentioned without explaining who they were until a few chapters on, which isn't very helpful, especially since the page isn't referenced. I also noticed that sometimes transliterations of Panjabi words (like jura) would be used without explaining them until later, which could easily have been avoided and would have greatly enhanced the ease of digesting the information.
Another small observation is that Cole seems a little 'old fashioned' in his explorations of Sikh culture...whilst the author gets two thumbs up for mentioning gora/goree sikhs, he doesn't give so much as a page to reference Yogi Bhajan who brought Sikhism to America and totally re-envigorated the faith. It is exactly this kind of information that leaves the book lagging somewhat behind and giving it a slightly 'factual' feel rather than giving a sweeping view of the way Sikhism is practiced across the world today.
Overall though, it's the best introduction I have read and would thoroughly recommend it as a very comprehensive starting point.
As for criticisms, I did notice that occasionally a prominent Sikh figure was mentioned without explaining who they were until a few chapters on, which isn't very helpful, especially since the page isn't referenced. I also noticed that sometimes transliterations of Panjabi words (like jura) would be used without explaining them until later, which could easily have been avoided and would have greatly enhanced the ease of digesting the information.
Another small observation is that Cole seems a little 'old fashioned' in his explorations of Sikh culture...whilst the author gets two thumbs up for mentioning gora/goree sikhs, he doesn't give so much as a page to reference Yogi Bhajan who brought Sikhism to America and totally re-envigorated the faith. It is exactly this kind of information that leaves the book lagging somewhat behind and giving it a slightly 'factual' feel rather than giving a sweeping view of the way Sikhism is practiced across the world today.
Overall though, it's the best introduction I have read and would thoroughly recommend it as a very comprehensive starting point.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Must Read Book
This is a must read book for those who are interested
Published on 12 Mar 2004 by "annie_23"
Clear and concise with a real feel of the subject
I converted to Sikhism some two years back and this book helped me to grow in my new faith. Mr. Cole is an excellent writer and he has a real feel for his subject. Read more
Published on 17 Aug 2000 by wild_wombat@yahoo.com
Do not waste your money on this book
This is beyond doubt the worst written book I have ever read. An eleven year old essayist could be expected to have a more coherent thought pattern.
Published on 4 Feb 1999
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