Sikhism

• The Mool Mantra: 'There is One Supreme Being, the eternal reality (true name), the creator, without fear, devoid of enmity, immortal, never incarnated, self-existent, (known by) the grace of the Guru'
• Guru Granth Sahib: 'The best religion is to chant the name of the Lord'
• Guru Granth Sahib: 'Through selfless service, eternal peace is obtained'
• Sikhs believe that Waheguru is the creator of everything – Karata Purakh (Eternal Creator). Also, Waheguru sustains, i.e. keeps in existence, all things at all times
• Sikhs believe that Waheguru cares for the universe to the highest possible degree – He is within everything sustaining it. The first words of the Guru Granth Sahib, (which is written in Punjabi), are 'Ik Onkar'. Famously, this Punjabi phrase can be read in a variety of ways: 'There is one God', 'One reality is', 'This being is one.' Consequently, Sikhs believe that Waheguru is immanent – within everything. Sikhs say every human contains the 'divine spark' or atman (soul) - which is Waheguru in each person. The Guru Granth Sahib states, 'He (Waheguru) is contained within all...' So Sikhs say Waheguru is 'sargun' (all qualities and forms). It is the presence of Waheguru in all things that sustains them. If Waheguru was to withdraw His presence from the universe, the universe would cease to exist – there would be nothing, since the universe came from nothing. The universe would not revert to some more basic stuff out of which the universe is made
• Sewa


  Selfless service and it is an expectation of all Sikhs and something which is supposed to be a way of life rather than a one-off act or even a regular set of acts
• Some Sikhs have not been initiated into the Khalsa. There maybe many reasons for this. It could be that they does not feel ready yet for the commitment involved. Some do not feel that being initiated is necessary and even disagree with the existence of the Khalsa. Sikhs accept those not in the Khalsa are not to be looked down on and treated as less than the equals of an Amritdhari, even if they also believe that there is much to be respected about an Amritdhari Sikh
• Initiation into the Khalsa is seen as a trustworthy way to move towards Mukti, even if it does not guarantee this (since an Amritdhari must work with Khalsa expectations) and there may be other ways (perhaps less tried and trusted) of reaching Mukti
• An Amritdhari must do the following:

  • Rise early
  • Bathe
  • Read set hymns
  • Mediate on the name of Waheguru (nam japna)
  • Not smoke, take alcohol or drug or commit adultery
  • Not eat meat
• An Amritdhari must also wear the five Ks:


  • Kesh
  • Kangha
  • Kara
  • Kachera
  • Kirpan
• Waheguru


  'wonderous teacher' or 'wonderful enlightener'
• Sargun


  all qualities and forms
• Nirgun


  without qualities and form
• Hukam


  the Will of Waheguru. It is His divine order and divine command
• Sewa


  Selfless service; it cannot be done for personal gain
• Khalsa


  is the community of the 'pure ones'; the body of committed sikhs
• Amritdhari


  A Sikh who has been initiated into the Khalsa
• Kesh


  Uncut hair - hair is seen as a gift from Waheguru
• Kangha

  A wooden comb - a symbol of the importance of self care of body and mind
• Kara


  A steel bracelet - to remind Sikhs to do God's will
• Kachera

  Cotton underwear - to remind Sikhs of the need for self control
• Kirpan

  A small sword - sign that Sikhs should uphold justice
• 'Gurus are considered to be divine beings who have been sent by God to guide humanity towards salvation.'
• 'Sikhs believe that the Guru Granth Sahib is the eternal guru'