Interfaith Action - Building Understanding Between Religions

Sikhism developed in India around 500 years ago. It now has about 20 million members worldwide, 336,149 in the UK.

Who and What is a Sikh?

The word 'Sikh' in the Punjabi language means 'disciple'. Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. The holy text of the Sikhs is called the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. It is considered to be equivalent to an eleventh guru, and its immortality has negated the need for human spiritual leaders. The wisdom of these teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib are practical and universal in their appeal to all mankind.

Philosophy and Beliefs

Sikhs believe in one God. Like Hindus and Buddhists, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the need to break away from the cycle of life. Unlike many other religions, Sikhs are particularly open to alternative faiths, and do not believe that theirs is an exclusive claim on divine favour. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind, social justice and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhs believe:

There is only One God. He is the same God for all people of all religions.
The soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches the human form. The goal of our life is to lead an exemplary existence so that one may merge with God. Sikhs should remember God at all times and practice living a virtuous and truthful life while maintaining a balance between their spiritual obligations and temporal obligations.
The true path to achieving salvation and merging with God does not require renunciation of the world or celibacy, but living the life of a householder, earning a honest living and avoiding worldly temptations and sins.
Sikhism condemns blind rituals such as fasting, visiting places of pilgrimage, superstitions, worship of the dead, idol worship etc.
Sikhism preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are all equal in the eyes of God. It teaches the full equality of men and women. Women can participate in any religious function or perform any Sikh ceremony or lead the congregation in prayer.

Prohibitions

Superstitions and rituals are not meaningful to Sikhs (pilgrimages, fasting, bathing in rivers, circumcision, worship of graves, idols or pictures)
Accumulation of materials has no meaning in Sikhism. Wealth will all be left here on Earth when you depart.
Living sacrifice , as slaughtering animals to celebrate holy occasions, or human self-sacrifice is forbidden.
Worthless talk, like bragging, gossip and lying are not permitted.
Intoxication: Alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and consumption of other intoxicants are discouraged.
Living Gurus or priests are not required due to the Holy Book, considered a ‘living guru’.
Prejudice: Sikhs should not discriminate based on caste, race, class or gender. Discrimination and unjust behaviour is considered completely against Sikh teachings.

Gurus

The founder of the Sikh religion was Guru Nanak, born in 1469. He preached a message of love and understanding and criticized the rituals of the Hindus and Muslim majority. Guru Nanak passed on his leadership of this new religion to nine successive Gurus. The final living Guru, Guru Gobind Singh died in 1708.

During his lifetime Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa order (meaning 'The Pure'), soldier-saints. The Khalsa uphold the highest Sikh virtues of commitment, dedication and a social conscious. The Khalsa are men and women who have undergone the Sikh baptism ceremony and who strictly follow the Sikh Code of Conduct and Conventions and wear the prescribed physical articles of the faith. One of the more noticeable being the uncut hair (required to be covered with a turban for men) and the Kirpan (ceremonial sword).

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

Sri Guru Granth Sahib is unique in the world of religious scriptures because not only is it accorded the status of being the spiritual head of the Sikh religion, but besides the poetry of the Gurus, it also contains the writings of saints of other faiths whose thoughts were consistent with those of the Sikh Gurus.

Practices

Sikhism does not have priests, which were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh, who felt that they could become corrupt and full of ego. Sikhs only have custodians of the Guru Granth Sahib (granthi), and any Sikh is free to read the Guru Granth Sahib in the Gurdwara (a Sikh temple) or in their home. All people of all religions are welcome to the Gurdwara. A free community kitchen can be found at every Gurdwara which serves meals to all people of all faiths. Guru Nanak first started this institution which outline the basic Sikh principles of service, humility and equality.

The most significant historical religious center for the Sikhs is Harmiandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) at Amritsar in the state of Punjab in northern India. It is the inspirational and historical center of Sikhism but is not a mandatory place of pilgrimage or worship. All places where Sri Guru Granth Sahib are installed are considered equally holy for Sikhs.