Sikhism

Sikhism is a monotheistic faith, preaching the existence of only one God. It teachs ideals that may be universally accepted today, and in the future such as honesty, compassion, humility, piety, social commitment, and most of all tolerance for other religions or beliefs. Sikhism was founded by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji over 500 years ago in 1469 and today has a following of over 23 million people worldwide.

Sikhism believes in One God. He is the same God for all people of all religions. Sikhism rejects idolatry, the caste system, ritualism, and asceticism. It recognizes the equality between both genders and all religions, prohibits the intake of any intoxicants, and encourages an honest, truthful living.

The word 'Sikh', derived from the Sanskrit word 'shishya', means a disciple, a learner, a seeker of truth. A Sikh believes in One God and the teachings of the Ten Gurus, embodied in the Sikh Holy Scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Additionally, he or she must take Amrit as part of the Sikh Baptism and join the Khalsa.

The founder of the Sikh religion was Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji who was born in 1469. He preached a message of love, devotion and remembrance of God at all times. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji passed on his enlightened leadership of this new religion to nine successive Gurus.

They taught values like freedom, Unity of All Humankind, charity, obedience, understanding, sympathy, patience, humility, simplicity, and piety, and outlined the path to spirituality in life.

They did not wish to convert people, instead, stated that as long as they prayed to the Lord, then it did not matter which name they used to pray to him or which creed, caste, sect or religion they used as we all were following the same direction to the Lord; all religions, creeds, etc. were equal. The Gurus themselves also said that they were human and were not to be worshipped as God and considered themselves to be mere servants of God.

Before leaving in 1708, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared that the Sikhs no longer needed a living Guru and appointed his spiritual successor as Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, his physical successor as the Khalsa. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji felt that all the wisdom needed by Sikhs for spiritual guidance in their daily lives could be found in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Eternal Guru of the Sikhs.

The goal of life for Sikhs is to lead a life as set out by the Gurus teachings in order to merge with God. The soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches the human form. This human form only comes through good deeds and is the only chance to become one with God.

It is essential therefore for a Sikh to partake in Seva (selfless service), Simran (meditation) and Sadh Sangat (congregation) which helps cleanse the soul of past actions. This also helps overcome the 5 vices, Kaam (lust), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Moh (worldy attachment) and Hunkaar (Ego) which refrains one from reaching salvation.