Sikh
In the Punjabi language the word Sikh also means to learn. A Sikh is a follower of the religion called Sikhism, which is the fifth largest organised religion in the world. A Sikh is a disciple of the Guru Granth Sahib which is more than a Holy book for the Sikhs - It is their perpetual and living spiritual teacher and guide.
Sikhism has ten human Gurus. The religion was founded by Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 in the Punjab in a village which is now part of Pakistan. Guru Nanak was followed by nine successive human masters. The tenth master was Guru Gobind Singh. When he departed from earth, he proclaimed the Guru Granth Sahib the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs.
Who is a Sikh?
A Sikh is a person who takes his spiritual guidance only from the Sikh Gurus; who practices belief and remembrance (Simran) of the one God (commonly referred to as Waheguru), at all times; believes in the equality of all beings and selfless service to humanity (Seva); believes in the protection of the weak (Kurbani); preservation of peace; the promotion of personal qualities of Sat (Truth); Daya (Compassion); Santokh (Contentment); Nimrata (Humility); and Pyare (Love); and who at all times constantly repels the inner five evils of Kam (Lust), Krodh (Rage), Lobh (Greed), Moh (Attachment) and Ahankar (Ego).
The Guru Granth Sahib defines the Sikh in these terms:
GSGGS Page 305
Fourth Mehl:
One who calls himself a Sikh of the True Guru,
shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord`s Name.
Upon arising early in the morning, he is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar.
Following the Instructions of the Guru, he is to chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har.
All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased.
Then, at the rising of the sun, he is to sing Gurbani;
whether sitting down or standing up, he is to meditate on the Lord`s Name.
One who meditates on my Lord, Har, Har, with every breath and every morsel of food
- that Gursikh becomes pleasing to the Guru`s Mind.
The Guru requires the Sikh to lead a life of discipline; to rise early in the morning; to cleanse oneself both externally (bathing) and internally (Naam simran) ; to meditate on the Almighty; to discard negative traits of the mind; and grasp the positive vibes from the Guru's word (Gurbani). By doing this the Sikh will become pleasing to the Guru. A Sikh must know his or her duty to oneself, the family and the community and perform this to the best of his or her ability. To lead a life of Chardikala - "positive outlook" and "buoyant and optimistic attitude to life" accepting God's will as the ultimate reality. To study and seek spiritual guidance from the Guru at difficult times, to remember the Lord always and, at all times, to seek the company of the Sadh sangat- holy congregation or spiritually wise people.
The summary of the main beliefs of a Sikh:
Sikhism has ten human Gurus. The religion was founded by Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 in the Punjab in a village which is now part of Pakistan. Guru Nanak was followed by nine successive human masters. The tenth master was Guru Gobind Singh. When he departed from earth, he proclaimed the Guru Granth Sahib the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs.
Who is a Sikh?
A Sikh is a person who takes his spiritual guidance only from the Sikh Gurus; who practices belief and remembrance (Simran) of the one God (commonly referred to as Waheguru), at all times; believes in the equality of all beings and selfless service to humanity (Seva); believes in the protection of the weak (Kurbani); preservation of peace; the promotion of personal qualities of Sat (Truth); Daya (Compassion); Santokh (Contentment); Nimrata (Humility); and Pyare (Love); and who at all times constantly repels the inner five evils of Kam (Lust), Krodh (Rage), Lobh (Greed), Moh (Attachment) and Ahankar (Ego).
The Guru Granth Sahib defines the Sikh in these terms:
GSGGS Page 305
Fourth Mehl:
One who calls himself a Sikh of the True Guru,
shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord`s Name.
Upon arising early in the morning, he is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar.
Following the Instructions of the Guru, he is to chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har.
All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased.
Then, at the rising of the sun, he is to sing Gurbani;
whether sitting down or standing up, he is to meditate on the Lord`s Name.
One who meditates on my Lord, Har, Har, with every breath and every morsel of food
- that Gursikh becomes pleasing to the Guru`s Mind.
The Guru requires the Sikh to lead a life of discipline; to rise early in the morning; to cleanse oneself both externally (bathing) and internally (Naam simran) ; to meditate on the Almighty; to discard negative traits of the mind; and grasp the positive vibes from the Guru's word (Gurbani). By doing this the Sikh will become pleasing to the Guru. A Sikh must know his or her duty to oneself, the family and the community and perform this to the best of his or her ability. To lead a life of Chardikala - "positive outlook" and "buoyant and optimistic attitude to life" accepting God's will as the ultimate reality. To study and seek spiritual guidance from the Guru at difficult times, to remember the Lord always and, at all times, to seek the company of the Sadh sangat- holy congregation or spiritually wise people.
The summary of the main beliefs of a Sikh:
- There is only one God for all the peoples of the world
- All are equal before this one God
- To respect all beings and to protect the weak.
- To live by one's honest labour and enterprise - Kirat Karni
- To remember the gift of life from the Almighty and to rely on Him only
- To engage in regular remembrance of God - Naam Japna and Simran
- One must live the life of a householder - committed to Selfless service (Sewa) to the community
- To shares one's wealth with the needy - Wand ka Chakna
- To be vigilant and defend one's life from the evil internal forces - Lust (Kham), Anger (Krodh), Greed (Lobh), Attachment (Moh), and Ego (ahankar).
- To promote positive qualities both personally and among the community. To embrace Sat (Truth); Daya (Compassion); Santokh (Contentment); Nimrata (Humility); and Pyare (Love) as positive qualities of life.
Sikh philosophy
Guru Nanak, the founder of the faith, summed up the basis of Sikh lifestyle in three requirements: Naam Japo, Kirat Karni and Wand kay Shako, which means meditate on the holy name, Waheguru, work diligently and honestly and share one's fruits.
The Guru Granth Sahib is revered as a teacher in its own right, because it is a literal transcript of the teachings of the nine gurus who preceded it. The Sikh follows the Guru Granth Sahib strictly as his prime guide. It was compiled by the Sikh Gurus and is maintained in its original form. In addition to their own works the gurus also included the revelations of many saints of that period. Their followers, with their turban and uncut hair, are proud and definitely distinct; yet, they show respect to the followers of other religions as well as their religions. Non-Sikhs can partake fully in Sikh prayer meetings and social functions. Members of the Sikh faith pray daily for the well being of all mankind.
The concept of saint-soldier is another unique feature which sometimes confuses observers. Every Sikh is required to aspire to sainthood by his devotion to God and service to mankind, but also, according to the situation, to adopt the role of a soldier of Waheguru.
Sikhs are required to not renounce the world and are urged to aspire to be and do their best while not being obsessed by the act; wanting the best, but not craving to accumulate. Seva (service) is an integral part of Sikh worship. This practice is very easily observed in the Sikhs houses of worship the Gurdwara (temple/ lit. doorway to God). Visitors of any religion, class/caste or creed are welcomed. Langar - a free, abundant, vegetarian meal is shared in a community atmosphere to all visitors of Sikh Gurdwaras all over the world. Members of the Gurdwaras provide and prepare what can only be described as good home cooking. The meals are part of their service to their fellow women and men. Many Langars stay open on a 24 hour basis. The Langars is a practise started and developed by each of the nine Sikn Gurus to stress the equality of every human; even Moghul Emperors sat and ate among common men.
The Khalsa
The Guru Granth Sahib is revered as a teacher in its own right, because it is a literal transcript of the teachings of the nine gurus who preceded it. The Sikh follows the Guru Granth Sahib strictly as his prime guide. It was compiled by the Sikh Gurus and is maintained in its original form. In addition to their own works the gurus also included the revelations of many saints of that period. Their followers, with their turban and uncut hair, are proud and definitely distinct; yet, they show respect to the followers of other religions as well as their religions. Non-Sikhs can partake fully in Sikh prayer meetings and social functions. Members of the Sikh faith pray daily for the well being of all mankind.
The concept of saint-soldier is another unique feature which sometimes confuses observers. Every Sikh is required to aspire to sainthood by his devotion to God and service to mankind, but also, according to the situation, to adopt the role of a soldier of Waheguru.
Sikhs are required to not renounce the world and are urged to aspire to be and do their best while not being obsessed by the act; wanting the best, but not craving to accumulate. Seva (service) is an integral part of Sikh worship. This practice is very easily observed in the Sikhs houses of worship the Gurdwara (temple/ lit. doorway to God). Visitors of any religion, class/caste or creed are welcomed. Langar - a free, abundant, vegetarian meal is shared in a community atmosphere to all visitors of Sikh Gurdwaras all over the world. Members of the Gurdwaras provide and prepare what can only be described as good home cooking. The meals are part of their service to their fellow women and men. Many Langars stay open on a 24 hour basis. The Langars is a practise started and developed by each of the nine Sikn Gurus to stress the equality of every human; even Moghul Emperors sat and ate among common men.
The Khalsa
Khalsa
The word "Khalsa" has two literal meanings. With its root in Sanskrit, it traveled through Persian, Arabic, Greek and the 'Romance Languages', returning centuries later to India and the Punjab with the Portugese, Persians and Arab invaders. One literal meaning is "Pure" and the other meaning is "belonging to the king". When the word "Khalsa" is used for a Sikh, it implies belonging to the King, where the King is TRUTH God himself. To become a Khalsa a Sikh must surrender him/her self completely to TRUTH God and obey God's will completely. Only then is a Sikh called "Khalsa."
A Sikh who has taken Amrit becomes a member of the Khalsa Institution which is "Pure" & flawless. There after he/she is believed to have pledged his/her life to Guru , and is expected not to desist from sacrificing anything and everything in a never ending struggle for the just cause of ensuring safety & welfare of the entire HUMANITY.
A Sikh who has taken Amrit becomes a member of the Khalsa Institution which is "Pure" & flawless. There after he/she is believed to have pledged his/her life to Guru , and is expected not to desist from sacrificing anything and everything in a never ending struggle for the just cause of ensuring safety & welfare of the entire HUMANITY.
Five Ks
In Sikhism, the Five Ks (Punjabi: ਪੰਜ ਕਕਾਰ Pañj Kakār) are five items that Guru Gobind Singh commanded Khalsa Sikhs to wear at all times in 1699. They are: Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (a wooden brush for the hair), Kara (a metal bracelet), Kachera (a type of undergarment) and Kirpan (a dagger).
The Five K are not just symbols, but articles of faith that collectively form the external identity and the Khalsa devotee's commitment to the Sikh rehni "Sikh way of life". A Sikh who has taken Amrit and keeps all five Ks is known as Khalsa ("pure") or Amritdhari Sikh ("Amrit Sanskar participant"), while a Sikh who has not taken Amrit but follows the teachings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is called a Sahajdhari Sikh.
The Kesh, or unshorn long hair, is considered by Sikhs as an indispensable part of the human body. Long known as a sign of spiritual devotion, it also emulates the appearance of Guru Gobind Singh and is one of the primary signs by which a Sikh can be clearly and quickly identified. A Sikh never cuts or trims any hair as a symbol of respect for the perfection of God's creation. The uncut long hair and the beard, in the case of men, form the main kakār for Sikhs.The turban is a spiritual crown, which is a constant reminder to the Sikh that he or she is sitting on the throne of consciousness and is committed to living according to Sikh principles. Guru Gobind Singh told his Sikhs:
"Khaalsa mero roop hai khaas. Khaalsa mai ho karo nivaas... The Khalsa is my image. Within the Khalsa I reside."[citation needed] Wearing a turban declares sovereignty, dedication, self-respect, courage and piety.
A noted figure in Sikh history is Bhai Taru Singh, who was martyred but he refused to get his Kesh cut.
Comb the hair twice a day, covering it with turban that is to be tied from fresh.
A Kangha is a small wooden comb that Sikhs use twice a day. It is supposed to be worn only in the hair and at all times. Combs help to clean and remove tangles from the hair, and is a symbol of cleanliness. Combing their hair reminds Sikhs that their lives should be tidy and organized. The Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh to wear a small comb called a Kangha at all times.
The comb keeps the hair tidy, a symbol of not just accepting what God has given, but also an injunction to maintain it with grace. The Guru said hair should be allowed to grow naturally. For men, this includes not shaving. At the time of Guru Gobind Singh ji, some holy men let their hair become tangled and dirty. The Guru said that this was not right. Hair should be allowed to grow but it should be kept clean and combed at least twice a day.
The Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanchar in 1699 to wear an iron bangle called a Kara at all times. The Kara is a constant reminder to always remember that whatever a person does with their hands has to be in keeping with the advice given by the Guru. The Kara is an iron/steel circle to symbolise God as never ending. It is a symbol of permanent bonding to the community, of being a link in the chain of Khalsa Sikhs (the word for link is 'kari').
ਸੀਲ ਜਤ ਕੀ ਕਛ ਪਹਿਰਿ ਪਕਿੜਓ ਹਿਥਆਰਾ ॥ The sign of true chastity is the Kachera, you must wear this and hold weapons in hand.
— Bhai Gurdas, Var. 41, pauri 15Originally, the Kachera was made part of the five Ks as a symbol of a Sikh soldier's willingness to be ready at a moment's notice for battle or for defense. The confirmed Sikh (one who has taken the Amrit) wears a Kachera every day. Some go to the extent of wearing a Kachera while bathing, to be ready to at a moment's notice, changing into the new one a single leg at a time, so as to have no moment where they are unprepared. Further, this garment allowed the Sikh soldier to operate in combat freely and without any hindrance or restriction, because it was easy to fabricate, maintain, wash and carry compared to other traditional under-garments of that era, like the dhoti. The Kachera symbolises self-respect, and always reminds the wearer of mental control over lust, one of the Five Evils in Sikh philosophy.
Kachera follow a generally practical and roomy design. It features an embedded string that circles the waist which can be tightened/loosened as desired, and then knotted securely. The Kachera can be classed between underwear and an outer garment, as in appearance it does not reveal private anatomy, and looks and wears like shorts. As with all of the Five Ks, there is equality between men and women, and so women are also expected to wear it. Considering the hot climate in India, the Kachera is often worn by men as an outer garment, keeping the wearer cool and being practical in manual work such as farming, however it is generally not considered respectful for women to wear the Kachera as an outer garment (on its own) as it is considered too revealing.
ਸ਼ਸਤਰ ਹੀਨ ਕਬਹੂ ਨਹਿ ਹੋਈ, ਰਿਹਤਵੰਤ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੋਈ ॥Those who never depart his/her arms, they are the Khalsa with excellent rehats.
— Rehatnama Bhai Desa SinghThe Kirpan is a short dagger which symbolizes a Sikh's duty to come to the defence of those in peril. All Sikhs should wear a short form of Kirpan (approx. 6" to 9" long) on their body at all times as a defensive side-arm, just as a police officer is expected to wear a public-defensive weapon when on duty. Its use is only allowed in the act of self-defense and the protection of others. It stands for bravery and protecting the weak and innocent.
Originally, the kirpan was kept sharp and was actually used to defend others, such as those who were being oppressed by harsh rulers, women who were raped in the streets, or a person who was being robbed or beaten. The true Sikh cannot turn a blind eye to such evils, thinking that they are "someone else's concern." It is the duty of the true Sikh to help those who suffer unjustly, by whatever means available, whether that means alerting the police, summoning help, or literally defending those who cannot defend themselves, even if that means putting oneself in harm's way.
The Five K are not just symbols, but articles of faith that collectively form the external identity and the Khalsa devotee's commitment to the Sikh rehni "Sikh way of life". A Sikh who has taken Amrit and keeps all five Ks is known as Khalsa ("pure") or Amritdhari Sikh ("Amrit Sanskar participant"), while a Sikh who has not taken Amrit but follows the teachings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is called a Sahajdhari Sikh.
The Kesh, or unshorn long hair, is considered by Sikhs as an indispensable part of the human body. Long known as a sign of spiritual devotion, it also emulates the appearance of Guru Gobind Singh and is one of the primary signs by which a Sikh can be clearly and quickly identified. A Sikh never cuts or trims any hair as a symbol of respect for the perfection of God's creation. The uncut long hair and the beard, in the case of men, form the main kakār for Sikhs.The turban is a spiritual crown, which is a constant reminder to the Sikh that he or she is sitting on the throne of consciousness and is committed to living according to Sikh principles. Guru Gobind Singh told his Sikhs:
"Khaalsa mero roop hai khaas. Khaalsa mai ho karo nivaas... The Khalsa is my image. Within the Khalsa I reside."[citation needed] Wearing a turban declares sovereignty, dedication, self-respect, courage and piety.
A noted figure in Sikh history is Bhai Taru Singh, who was martyred but he refused to get his Kesh cut.
Comb the hair twice a day, covering it with turban that is to be tied from fresh.
A Kangha is a small wooden comb that Sikhs use twice a day. It is supposed to be worn only in the hair and at all times. Combs help to clean and remove tangles from the hair, and is a symbol of cleanliness. Combing their hair reminds Sikhs that their lives should be tidy and organized. The Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh to wear a small comb called a Kangha at all times.
The comb keeps the hair tidy, a symbol of not just accepting what God has given, but also an injunction to maintain it with grace. The Guru said hair should be allowed to grow naturally. For men, this includes not shaving. At the time of Guru Gobind Singh ji, some holy men let their hair become tangled and dirty. The Guru said that this was not right. Hair should be allowed to grow but it should be kept clean and combed at least twice a day.
The Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanchar in 1699 to wear an iron bangle called a Kara at all times. The Kara is a constant reminder to always remember that whatever a person does with their hands has to be in keeping with the advice given by the Guru. The Kara is an iron/steel circle to symbolise God as never ending. It is a symbol of permanent bonding to the community, of being a link in the chain of Khalsa Sikhs (the word for link is 'kari').
ਸੀਲ ਜਤ ਕੀ ਕਛ ਪਹਿਰਿ ਪਕਿੜਓ ਹਿਥਆਰਾ ॥ The sign of true chastity is the Kachera, you must wear this and hold weapons in hand.
— Bhai Gurdas, Var. 41, pauri 15Originally, the Kachera was made part of the five Ks as a symbol of a Sikh soldier's willingness to be ready at a moment's notice for battle or for defense. The confirmed Sikh (one who has taken the Amrit) wears a Kachera every day. Some go to the extent of wearing a Kachera while bathing, to be ready to at a moment's notice, changing into the new one a single leg at a time, so as to have no moment where they are unprepared. Further, this garment allowed the Sikh soldier to operate in combat freely and without any hindrance or restriction, because it was easy to fabricate, maintain, wash and carry compared to other traditional under-garments of that era, like the dhoti. The Kachera symbolises self-respect, and always reminds the wearer of mental control over lust, one of the Five Evils in Sikh philosophy.
Kachera follow a generally practical and roomy design. It features an embedded string that circles the waist which can be tightened/loosened as desired, and then knotted securely. The Kachera can be classed between underwear and an outer garment, as in appearance it does not reveal private anatomy, and looks and wears like shorts. As with all of the Five Ks, there is equality between men and women, and so women are also expected to wear it. Considering the hot climate in India, the Kachera is often worn by men as an outer garment, keeping the wearer cool and being practical in manual work such as farming, however it is generally not considered respectful for women to wear the Kachera as an outer garment (on its own) as it is considered too revealing.
ਸ਼ਸਤਰ ਹੀਨ ਕਬਹੂ ਨਹਿ ਹੋਈ, ਰਿਹਤਵੰਤ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੋਈ ॥Those who never depart his/her arms, they are the Khalsa with excellent rehats.
— Rehatnama Bhai Desa SinghThe Kirpan is a short dagger which symbolizes a Sikh's duty to come to the defence of those in peril. All Sikhs should wear a short form of Kirpan (approx. 6" to 9" long) on their body at all times as a defensive side-arm, just as a police officer is expected to wear a public-defensive weapon when on duty. Its use is only allowed in the act of self-defense and the protection of others. It stands for bravery and protecting the weak and innocent.
Originally, the kirpan was kept sharp and was actually used to defend others, such as those who were being oppressed by harsh rulers, women who were raped in the streets, or a person who was being robbed or beaten. The true Sikh cannot turn a blind eye to such evils, thinking that they are "someone else's concern." It is the duty of the true Sikh to help those who suffer unjustly, by whatever means available, whether that means alerting the police, summoning help, or literally defending those who cannot defend themselves, even if that means putting oneself in harm's way.
Mool Mantar
Mool Mantar is a basic prayer, composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is the key prayer of Sikhs which sums up the basic concepts of the Sikh religion.
Gurubani |
English meaning |
Ik Onkar |
There is one God |
Satnam |
His Name is Truth. |
Karta |
He is the Creator. |
Purakh |
He is present throughout His Creation. |
Nirbhao |
He fears none. |
Nirvair |
He hates none. |
Akal Murat |
His existence is immortal. |
Ajuni |
He is not born, nor does He die. |
Saibhang |
He is self-illuminated. |
Gur prasad |
He is realized through the grace of the Guru. |