World Religions Christianity Islam Hinduism Buddhism Sikhism Judaism Bahai 2 b 1.3 b 900 m 360 m 25 m 14 m 6 m

The core beliefs of the Sikh tradition may be summarized in six points: There is only one God; God is without form or gender; everyone has direct access to God; everyone is equal before God; a good life is living honestly and caring for others as part of a community; and empty religious rituals and superstitions have no value.

Have you ever walked down the street and seen a man wearing a turban, it's bright color stands out making him more noticeable, his full beard covers his face but not his smile. He is one of the 25 million people who follow the 5th largest religion in the world, known as Sikhism. Established five hundred years ago, by a man named Guru Nanak Dev Ji, it is still one of the youngest religions in the world, but has found a way to blossom in this ever-changing planet.

There were 10 teachers over about 300 years that developed Sikhism. A progressive religion well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years ago. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Numbers: 25 million (5th largest religion in the world)

Founder: Guru Nanak (1469-1539 C.E.) was the first of Sikhism's 10 Gurus, a lineage of holy teachers that continued until the end of the 17th century. The Gurus are understood to be the mediators of divine grace.

Main Tenets: The term Sikh is derived from the Sanskrit word for "disciple" or "learner." Sikhs are those who are disciples to the Guru. Sikhs believe that liberation from the karmic cycle of rebirths occurs in the merging of the human spirit with the all-embracing spirit of God. Their religious worship involves contemplation of the divine Name. The ultimate deity is known by several names: Sat (truth), Sat Guru (true Guru), Akal Purakh (timeless being), Kartar (creator), and Wahi-Guru ("praise to the Guru"). By concentrating on God's Name (or many titles), one conquers the ego and unites with God.

Known as the "religion of the householder," Sikhism emphasizes the family and advocates living in the world without being worldly. Moral purity is considered the chief basis of religion. There is no priesthood per se, but there are official readers of scripture.

The 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, instituted the Khalsa brotherhood, in which initiates are required to wear five distinctive symbols: uncut hair, a comb, a steel wrist bangle, a sword, and short underpants. Not all Sikhs belong to this disciplined fellowship, but many do obey the principle rules of Khalsa. Guru Gobind Singh also required all male Sikhs to take the name Singh (meaning "lion") and all female Sikhs to take the name Kaur ("princess"). These measures give Sikhs a strong sense of communal identity, symbolized by the characteristic turbans and beards worn by Sikh men.

Beliefs And Fundamentals: Sikhism is a progressive monotheistic religion, inaugurated over 500 years ago. Its philosophies stress such things as the equality of mankind, the rejection of blind rituals and idol worship. It preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are equal in the eyes of God. Generosity and helping those in need are social responsibilities. Community service is something which is encouraged and a free community meal, known as langar, can be found at every Gurdwara, a sikh place of prayer, where people of every religion are welcome to eat.

These fundamentals of Sikhism are written in the Guru Granth Sahib. This is the Sikh holy book which was proclaimed as the 11th and final living guru of the Sikhs by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Guru Granth Sahib is an amalgamation of the poems, hymns, and other writings of the ten gurus as well as the writings of scholars, poets and sages of other religions. It is unique amongst the worlds' scriptures since it contains the actual writings of the founders of the religion. The hymns and poetry found within encourage meditation and truthful living.

What robs us of truthful living is encompassed by the the five "sins" or "cardinal vices" which are lust, anger, greed, attachment, and conceit.

Once one has shed these sins, one can achieve truthful living.

The Guru Granth Sahib is the head or the authority on Sikhism and is held in the highest of regard by Sikhs for the writings contained within. There are no priests, only custodians (granthi) of the Guru Granth Sahib and anyone is allowed to read from it. Within, can be found all that is Sikhism.

Some Concepts In Sikhism:

• Equality: Everyone is equal in God's eyes regardless of caste, creed, or gender.
• A good world is just and fair to all: Social justice is to be supported. The use of force as a last resort is justified.
• God is accessible without priests: Sikhism does not have clergy. Everyone can be directly in touch with God.
• Devotion can take the form of action as well as prayer: Personal devotion includes meditation on and awareness of God ( Nam simran) and community service (Sewa).
• Accept other faiths: Sikhs do not believe that Sikhism is the only way to God and does not believe that any one religion holds the truth.
• Live in the world: One should live a responsible life as part of the community and should not withdraw themselves from the world.
• No rituals: Sikhs consider empty rituals meaningless.
• Death is not the end: Death is seen as the transition to a life where the joy of being in the presence of God can be fully realised.

How Sikhs View God:

• There is only one God.
• God created the universe, and the universe depends on God's will for its continued existence.
• God has always existed and always will exist.
• The essence of God is truth.
• God is without hatred or fear.
• God needs nothing else in order to continue to exist.
• God has no shape or gender and never has or will take human form on earth.

Main sacred text: The compilation of the Sikh scriptures, the Adi Granth, was begun in 1604 by the Fifth Guru. The last of the ten Gurus, Guru Gobind Singh, announced that he would be the last personal Guru and that thereafter, Sikhs were to regard the Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib) as their teacher. This sacred book is considered the living embodiment of all ten Gurus and is therefore the focus of worship in all Sikh temples and local gurudwaras, or sanctuaries. The Adi Granth comprises three main parts: a long poem by Nanak summing up the elements of Sikhism, a collection of Ragas, or songs composed by the first five Gurus, and a mixed collection of commentaries elaborating on the Ragas together with hymns of many Hindu saints and Sufi mystics.

Sikhism is :-

• Pure love towards God
• A religion created by God through the Ten Sikh Gurus
• An independent faith
• Not a combination of Islam and Hinduism
• Not a sect of either Islam or Hinduism

Summary of the Sikh Code of Conduct

Instructions

1. There is only one God; worship and pray Him alone.
2. Meditate on God and recite His Name for every possible second
3. Always work hard, and share with others.
4. Practice Truth, and live a Truthful life.
5. Remember, women are as good as men. Give women equal status and equal rights
6. The whole human race is one. Distinctions on caste, colour, religion, gender or class are wrong. No one is superior or inferior
7. Idols, magic, omens, fasts, frontal marks and sacred threads are unnecessary. Not to believe in superstition, witchcraft or black magic
8. Dress yourself in a simple and modest way; gaudy clothes and revealing dress bring no credit.
9. Sikh women should not observe the veil (parda); neither should they (men as well) make holes in their ears and noses.
10. Live a married life; asceticism and renunciation are needless exercises.
11. Put your faith in the Holy Granth; no other Holy book or living person can claim Guruship (for Sikhs).

Injunctions (Given at the time of initiation)

1. Thou shalt not cut hair.
2. Thou shalt not use tobacco, alcohol, drugs or any intoxicants.
3. Thou shalt not eat 'ritual meat'.
4. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Summary: The fifth-largest faith in the world, Sikhism emerged in the Punjab under the guidance of the Guru Nanak (1469–1539). In his youth, Nanak began to compose hymns. At the age of 29, he had a mystical experience. A strict monotheist, he preached the concept of life as a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; moksha, release from this cycle into unity with God, could be achieved only with the help of a guru, or spiritual teacher. Guru Nanak believed that communion with God could be gained through devotional repetition of the divine name, singing of hymns and praises, and adherence to a demanding ethical code. He rejected idols and the caste system; it became a custom for Sikhs of all social ranks to take meals together. These beliefs are still central to modern Sikhism.

Guru Nanak was first in a line of ten gurus who shaped and inspired Sikhism.

The tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708), was both a scholar and a military hero. He established the Khalsa (community of pure ones), an order that combined spiritual devotion, personal discipline, and ideals of military valour. Baptism initiates new members into the Khalsa. The Adi Granth took its final form under the supervision of Guru Gobind Singh. Before his death, Guru Gobind Singh declared the line of gurus at an end. The Adi Granth would instead be reverenced, taking the place of a living guru. The Adi Granth (First Book), or Guru Granth Sahib (the Granth Personified), consists of hymns and other writings by earlier Sikh gurus, as well as medieval Hindu and Muslim saints. This book became the sacred scripture of Sikhism.

Today, Sikhs worship at Gurdwaras (temples), where the Adi Granth is the object of devotion. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is consulted regarding questions of faith and practice. On certain occasions, it is recited in its entirety (requiring approximately 48 hours). Worshipful singing, meditation, and focus on the divine Name remain essential to spiritual life. There is no established Sikh priesthood.

Gurus:

1.	Guru Nanak Dev	Born:	1469		6.	Guru Hargobind	Born:	1595
		Guru:	1469-1539				Guru:	1606-1644
2.	Guru Angad	Born:	1504		7.	Guru Har Rai	Born:	1630
		Guru:	1539-1552				Guru:	1644-1661
3.	Guru Amar Das	Born:	1479		8.	Guru Har Krishan	Born:	1656
		Guru:	1552-1574				Guru:	1661-1664
4.	Guru Ram Das	Born:	1534		9.	Guru Teg Bahadur	Born:	1621
		Guru:	1574-1581				Guru:	1664-1675
5.	Guru Arjan	Born:	1563		10.	Guru Gobind Singh	Born:	1666
		Guru:	1581-1606				Guru:	1675-1708

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