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About Sikhism

3 GOLDEN RULES

3 Golden Rules

Sikhs believe in One God who is the creator of the universe and resides within creation. The purpose of human life is to unite the soul with God during one’s lifetime. As per the religion, this is possible by accepting the teachings of the Guru and following the “three golden rules,” namely, meditation on God’s name (nam japna), earning an honest living (kirat karna), and sharing one’s earnings with others (wand chhakna).

As Guru Nanak Ji said:
“The first is truthfulness, second the honest earning and third charity in God’s name. The fourth is pure intent and mind, and the fifth is the Lord’s admiration and praise.”

ਪਹਿਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਹਲਾਲ ਦੁਇ ਤੀਜਾ ਖੈਰ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥
ਚਉਥੀ ਨੀਅਤਿ ਰਾਸਿ ਮਨੁ ਪੰਜਵੀ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਸਨਾਇ ॥

(Ang 141)

Nam Japna

Meditation on the Divine Name with love and devotion. To be in tune with the Infinite through meditation on the Divine qualities so that the believer becomes filled with His Name.

Kirat Karna

Honest earning of bread with dignity and labor. To earn one’s livelihood through creative, productive and honest labour.

Wand Chhakna

To share the fruits of earnings with the needy. Sharing with and caring for the needy and sick. Help those people who cannot help themselves.

A way of life

Sikhism stands for human liberty, equality, fraternity, universalism, freedom of conscience, social justice, ethical living, gender equality, and Charhdi Kala or dynamic power. It believes in love, selfless service, human dignity, self-respect, Simran and Sarbat Da Bhala.

Sikh payers are not confined to a single community, a nation or a country. They encompass the well-being of entire human race – not confined to a single caste, colour, creed, country or a gender. The prayer does not differentiate between man-made barriers or cruel diversities but believes in Universal brotherhood of mankind.

“The One Light is the light in all bodies.”
ਏਕਾ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸਰੀਰਾ ॥
(Ang125)

“The One Light is all pervading, only a few know it.”
ਸਭ ਏਕਾ ਜੋਤਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਜੇ ਕੋਈ ॥
(Ang 120)

Some of the concepts and beliefs of Sikhism:

  • Concept of One God, monotheism, unity of God
  • Concept of Creation theory
  • Concept of doing honest labor with sweat on brow
  • Concept of Wand Ke Chhakna (Share earnings)
  • Concept of Daswandh (Giving one-tenth of the earnings and contribution towards charity)
  • Concept of Nam Simran (Contemplation on the Name of God)
  • Concept of Amrit (Nectar initiation)
  • Concept of Bani and Bana (Look of outer and inner values)
  • Concept of co-operative and corporate living
  • Concept of selfless Seva (Selfless Service)
  • Concept of Sarbat Da Bhala (Well-being of all)
  • Concept of Degh and Tegh
  • Concept of Miri and Piri (Temporal & Spiritual power)
  • Concept of Sangat and Pangat
  • Concept of universal peace and prosperity
  • Concept of democracy
  • Concept of liberty, equality and fraternity
  • Concept of sacrifice
  • Concept of universal brotherhood, peace and prosperity
  • Concept of householder’s life
  • Concept of Maya
  • Concept of Charhdi Kala (Optimism & high spirit)
  • Concept of Bhana (Will of God)
  • Concept of healthy mind in a healthy body
  • Concept of Guru
  • Concept of equality of woman
  • Concept of immortality of soul
  • Concept of transmigration, etc.
  • Concept of Karma (Actions and deeds)

The Sikh Code of Conduct

Sikhs follow the Rehit Maryada or the Sikh code of conduct. The Rehit Maryada establishes guidelines for a spiritual lifestyle. This includes rising daily before sunrise for meditation and prayer and also giving one tenth of one’s income back to the community. In addition to basic rules of morality shared by people of all faiths, initiated Sikhs cannot cut or remove the hair on their body, use intoxicants such as tobacco or liquor, etc., eat meat or engage in extra-marital sexual relations.

The 5 Evils for them are: Kam (lust), Krodh (Rage), Lobh (Greed), Moh (Attachement) and Ahankar (Ego).

Five Evils or five thieves (pancadokh or panj vikar) as they are referred to in the Guru Granth Sahib, are the five major weaknesses of the human personality at variance with its spiritual essence. By taking positive steps, the Five Evils are overcome and rendered ineffective.

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