Sikhism Beliefs

Click on image to buy from Amazon

1. The Sikh was initially established by Guru Nanak, and then continued to progress through ten successive Sikh Gurus (the last being the holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib). Sikhs follow the teachings of the ten Gurus.
   
   
2. The Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, contains writings of six of the Gurus, as well selected works from 15 other great saints (bhagats) from the Hindu and Muslim faiths.
   
   
3. The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, conferred leadership of the Sikhs to Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture), and the Khalsa Panth (the Sikh community).
   
   
4. Sikhs are monotheistic - they believe in one God, who is eternal (Akal Purakh).
   
   
5. Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through meditation on the name and message of God. Leadership of the Sikh community
   
   
6. Sikhs are expected to embody the qualities of a saint-soldier (Sant-Sipahi):
   
   
   • To love God
     
     
   • To meditate on God
     
     
   • To keep God in the heart
     
     
   • To feel God's proximity
     
     
   • To be strong, brave, and ready to fight to protect the weak from injustice
     
     
   • To control their vices
     
     
   • To be immersed in the virtues expressed in the holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib.
   
   
7. Sikhs follow the five Ks - shared forms of identification created by Guru Gobind Singh. Each of the five Ks has a symbolic meaning.
   
   
8. Sikhism prohibits the following practices:
   
   
   • Cutting hair
     
     
   • Intoxication
     
     
   • Blind Spirituality (defined to include rituals and superstitions such as circumcision, fasting, forcing women to wear the veil, grave worship, idols, pilgrimages)
     
     
   • Obsession with Material Wealth
     
     
   • Sacrifice of Creatures
     
     
   • Non-Family-oriented Living (including celibacy, and monastic lifestyles)
     
     
   • Worthless Talk (including bragging, gossip, lying, slander, etc.)
     
     
   • A Priesthood (Sikh priests were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh except for a Granthi to look after the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture). Any Sikh can become a Granthi or read from the Guru Granth Sahib.)
     
     
   • Eating Meat Killed in a Ritualistic Manner
     
     
   • Extramarital Sexual Relations
   
   
9. Sikh temples are called Gurdwara:
   
   
   • They contain a main hall (Darbar Sahib) where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture) is seen.
     
     
   • All Gurdwara also contain a common kitchen/canteen (Langar) where food is served to all visitors (both Sikh and non-Sikh). Generally speaking (there are some rare exceptions in India), the Langar serve only vegetarian food, so that all visitors, even those with dietary restrictions, can eat as equals.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the founder of Sikhism: