Sikh beliefs

• Sikh


  A learner or a disciple; a believer in the religion of Sikhism
• Guru


  A spiritual teacher of wisdom; there are ten Gurus in Sikh history, followed by the Guru Granth Sahib, 'the living Guru'
• Guru Granth Sahib


  The holy scriptures of the Sikh faith, regarded as the ultimate authority
• Mool Mantra


  The 'main chant', a statement of all the core beliefs at the beginning of the Guru Granth Sahib
• Monotheists


  Believers in only one God
• Gurdwara


  A Sikh place of worship; it literally means 'the door of the Guru'
• The Sikh faith began more than 500 years ago in the Punjab, a part of India in which Hindus and Muslims were living
• Satnam


  True name, personality
• Waheguru


  Wonderful Lord or Teacher
• Sikhs believe that God has no gender and so is not male or female
• Sikhs believe that any words used to describe God are inadequate because they are human words and so cannot describe fully the 'greatness' that is God
• Sikhs believe that God can be experienced because he reveals himself to individuals
• Sikhs believe that God has no limits and is immanent (in everything) and transcendent (above and beyond creation)
• The Mool Mantra summarises Sikh belief about the nature of God
• Sikhs believe that the Mool Mantra was the first teaching of Guru Nanak, after he had become enlightened
• Sikhs say the Mool Mantra daily in their prayers, and it is recited in worship and in the ceremony of initiation at the gurdwara
• The first words of the Mool Mantra, 'Ik Onkar', as written in Punjabi, are used as a symbol of the Sikh religion
• Sikhs believe that God created everything: the world, the universe and any other universes that may exist
• Sikhs accept scientific views about how life was created, such as the theory of evolution, but believe that all is done through God's will
• Sikhs believe that God is beyond complete human understanding and beyond names, and has never assumed any physical form
• Sikhs use the word 'nirgun' (without qualities or form) to describe God as being uncreated, having no limits, and being free and different from his creation
• Sikhs believe that God is present within every human being as the soul or divine spirit, and use the word 'sargun' (with qualities or with form) to describe God in this way
• Sikhs believe that every part of the universe reveals God, and that God is in all things and is present within every human being
• Sikhs believe that God is both separate from the universe but at the same time present throughout the universe
• Sikhs believe that God is greater than anything that a human being could imagine or understand
• Sikhs believe that life is a cycle of birth, death and rebirth, and the aim of life is to become one with God
• Sikhs believe that there are five basic virtues and many others that can be developed during the life of any human
• Truthful living


  Following God, who is Truth, in the way in which life is led; it includes spreading the truth, and honesty and fairness in dealings with others
• Compassion


  A quality that God possesses; being aware of the needs of others, their suffering and their vulnerability, being careful and kindly in speech, and serving others
• Patience


  Part of compassion; being tolerant of others, forgiving their faults or weaknesses, and being prepared to make sacrifices for others
• Contentment


  Accepting the life that has been given by God and trying to do God's will; it leads to happiness by getting rid of worry for the future and fear of the unknown
• Humility


  Recognising that before God, humans should not believe in their own importance because God is the ultimate reality
• Self-control


  Engaging in self-discipline, regular prayer and bringing God to mind; acting, thinking or speaking in moderation, making sure that one is in control
• Love


  Accepting everyone with whom they come into contact for the people they are, and treating them with kindness and respect; not hating anyone and forgiving any wrong that is done to them
• Wisdom


  Understanding the importance of all the Sikh virtues; knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs and principles, and an ability to put this knowledge to good effect in daily living
• Courage


  Spiritual strength, often in the face of suffering; some of the Gurus showed such courage in sacrificing their lives for their beliefs, and for the right of others to practise their faith
• Sikhs believe that God has given humans an opportunity to reunite with him
• Life is seen as a cycle of birth, death and rebirth but the aim of life is to become one with God
• Sikhs believe that compassion is a quality that God possesses
• Sikhs are encouraged to accept the life that has been given to them by God and to try to do God's will