Sikh Beliefs

What are the Sikh Believes ?

Three Pillars:

* Naam Japo
* Kirat Karni
* Wand kay Shako

Five Evils:

* Kam
* Krodh
* Lobh
* Moh
* Ahankar

Five Virtues:

* Sat
* Santokh
* Daya
* Nimrata
* Pyare

Naam refers to the names given to God, Whereas Nām Japō (Gurmukhi), refers to the vocal singing of Hymns given in Guru Granth Sahib. This is done only through meditation. Specially the chanting of the word Waheguru, means Wonderful Lord. Singing of hymns generally is also referred to a ‘Nām Jap’, sometimes also called ‘Nām Simran’ and 'Kirtan'. It is an important activity in a sikhs life. It is the duty of every Sikh to practice Naam Simran daily and make out some time for Seva in the Gurdwara.

It is said that a true sikh is the one who gets up early everyday and follow this activity of Nam Japna. A Sikh is to engage in a daily practice of Nitnem (gurbani).
His words, mind and focus, all should be in his Almighty's feet. These guidelines of 'Rehit Mariyada' are given by Guru Gobind Singh ji. He said that nam japna should be a regular part of routine of a sikhs life. The sikh who walks through the path only reaches the God.

Our mind and spirit are constantly being attacked by the Five Evils. To get rid of the Five Evils mainly known as ego, greed, attachment, anger and lust, one should regularly perform his nam_japna activity. Thus by following the path one gets peace in life. 'Kirat Karni' and 'Wand kay Shako' are the other two things to be followed by a sikh. Thus, a sikh Guru should adopt the positive human qualities that comprises of Sat (Truth), Daya (Compassion), Santokh (Contentment), Nimrata (Humility) and Pyare (Love).

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Population

Sikhism is India's fourth-largest religion and has existed for over 500 years, beginning with the birth of its founder Guru Nanak Dev. his life was devoted more to meditation and religion than to work. About 2% of India's population are Sikhs. Worldwide, there are 25.8 million Sikhs and approximately 75% of sikhs live in the state of Punjab. There they constitute about 60% of the population. The Sikhs are predominately located in Punjab, but also in many other parts of India. It describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various worldly pleasures, with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals.

The Sikh Empire was formed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh from 1801-1849, by the Punjabi Army. Sikhs exist in nearly every country in the world. Now, Sikh communities are found not only in India but world wide such as in Canada (Brampton), Malton in Ontario and Abbotsford, Surrey in British Columbia, East Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Western Europe. Smaller populations of Sikhs are also found in Mauritius, Malaysia, Fiji, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Afganistan, Iraq, Singapore and many other countries.

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Sikhism - What Sikh Religion Is All About?

The incarnation of the Gurus, their Life and cause for which they died is our glorious Religion - Sikhism. Sikhism denotes truth, purity and sacrifice of a sikhs life. It unexplored the tracks and the paths reaching out to the ultimate reality. Sikhism was originated by Guru Nanak, the first guru of sikh religion and his successors.

The essence of Sikh teaching is summed up by Guru Nanak in the words
'Realization of Truth is higher than all else. Higher still is truthful living'.

God is described as not wholly unknowable. It is said that God is omnipresent (sarav viāpak) in all creation and is visible everywhere to the those who are spiritually awakened. This means God is seen and known only from 'the inward eye', or the 'pure heart', of a human being. This also means that God is seen by those who have true love for God. God is known as 'Nirankar' means 'without any form'. In Sikhism, the influences of ego, anger, greed, attachment and lust are known as the Five Evils.

In a sikh life, the key practice to be pursued is 'nām', which means the remembrance of the divine Name 'God'. Money and all the luxuries of life which denotes Māyā', has been defined as illusion or unreality. These are the core deviations from the pursuit of God and salvation. It is believed that people who are distracted from devotion due to the worldly attractions, only gives illusive satisfaction. But to have moksha or reach the last stage of a sikhs life 'sac khand' (The Realm of Truth), only 'nam' (the divine name) is to be pursued.

Sikhs are divide into two groups such as Namdharis and Nirankaris. Nihangs are considered as, to be the army of Sikhism. There also existed a section known as Udasi, but they were exiled because of their misconduct and malpractices.

Practices Followed

- Sikhism tried to abolish caste system and Sati (practice)
- In Sikhism everyone has equal rights irrespective of caste,
creed, color, race, sex or religion.
- Sikhism rejects pilgrimage, fasting and superstitions.
- Sikhism raised voice against many social evils such as Dowry system and Girl Child Infanticide
- Promoted Girls education and raised voice for their respectable position in the society

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