Basic Beliefs• It is a combination of most Eastern spiritual

disciplines but mainly Hinduism, Islam & Buddhism.• One Source: One God is the Creator of the Universe• Equality: All human beings are equal. People of all

religions and races are welcome in Sikh Gurdwaras. Women have equal status with men in everything.

• Human Life Precious and should be lived wisely. It is through this life that we can achieve liberation from reincarnation easily.

• Defending Against Injustice: Sikhs are a peace loving people and stand for Truth and Justice.

• Guru Gobind Singh Ji said, "It is right to use force as a LAST RESORT when all other peaceful means fail."These can be summed up in the Mool Mantar which is the very first words of Guru Granth Sahib:

• Sikhi emphasizes daily devotion to the remembrance of God. One should remember God at all times.

• Sikhi teaches religious freedom. All people have the right to follow their own path to God without condemnation or coercion from others.

• Sikhi emphasizes a moral and ethical life. A Sikh should represent moral responsibility and righteousness.

• Sikhi rejects all forms of rituals such as idol worship, pilgrimages, fasting, and superstitions.

– IF YOU CAN’T SEE GOD IN ALL, YOU

CAN’T SEE GOD AT ALL–

• Sikh teaches service to others. The primary task in life should be to help the poor, needy, and oppressed. The Sikhs have a long heritage of speaking out against injustice and for standing up for the defenceless.

• Sikhs should aim to be saints, scholars, and soldiers.

• The word Sikh means disciple or student. Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow the writings and teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus.

• The name Sikhs usually refer to God as is Waheguru, literally meaning “Great Teacher”.

3 Fundamental Principles

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, taught 3 basic principles:

• Kirat Karo - Work hard and honestly• Wand Ke Chhako - Share what you have with the needy• Naam Jappo - Always remember God throughout the day

SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI

• Guru Granth Sahib Ji is not a book but a living Guru to Sikhs. As it was the last words of Guru Gobind Singh Ji before he passed, “The Granth shall be your immortal Guru”

• The knowledge contained in the 1430 pages in poetic form is universally relatable to any time, place & person. It is evergreen.

• Guru Granth Sahib Ji is written in Gurmukhi (the Guru’s word), and contains words from several different languages including Punjabi, Persian, Urdu, Sanskrit, Hindi, Arabic, English and many others.

• The beliefs, practices and different names of God are mentioned in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. For example: Allah, Khuda, Paramatma, etc.

• There are also a lot of examples mentioned from Hindu mythology of Mahabarat & Ramayan (but not as conformation of or recorded history)

The teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus (as well as someselected Muslim and Hindu saints and scholars) areenshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib. These teachingsare:• to see God in everyone; understand and practice equality

among all races irrespective of caste, religion, colour, status, age, gender, etc.

• to remember God at all times; to always engage in meditation (Simran) or "remembrance of God", the primal being; virtuous, merciful, bountiful, fearless and Creator of everything; be always aware of His persona and behave accordingly

• to value and respect positive ideals like truth, compassion, contentment, humility, love, etc. at all times

• to eradicate the 5 inner evils: lust, anger/rage, greed, material attachment & ego• to aspire and engage in useful, productive, honest and

peaceful life of a householder; to work diligently while holding the image of God within you (Kirit Karni)

• to engage in selfless service (Sewa) and help build a loving community life; to be a contributor to society whenever possible (Wand kay shakna)

• to be ready to protect and stand for the rights of the weak among us; to fight for justice and fairness for all

• to always accept the Will of God whether something turns out the way we want or not; and stay focused and in "Positive Spirits" (Chardikala)

– WE CAN ONLY PLAN. HE DECIDES–

Don’ts• Non-logical behavior: Superstitions and rituals are not

meaningful to Sikhs (pilgrimages, fasting, bathing in rivers, circumcision, worship of graves, idols or pictures, special treatment for women, etc.).

• Material obsession: ("Maya") Accumulation of materials has no meaning in Sikhi. Wealth such as gold, portfolio, stocks, commodities, and properties will all be left here on Earth when you pass on. Earn, but do not get attached to them.

• Sacrificial practices: (Sati) Widows throwing themselves in the funeral pyre of their husbands, lamb and calf slaughter to celebrate holy occasions, etc. are forbidden.

• Non-family oriented living: A Sikh is not to live as a recluse, beggar, yogi, monk, nun, or celibate. Sikhs are required to fulfill both worldly and spiritual responsibilities.

• Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip, lying, etc. are not permitted.

• Intoxication: Alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and consumption of other intoxicants is not permitted.

• Priestly class: Sikhs do not have to depend on a priest for performing any religious functions. They are not supposed to follow a class/caste system where the priestly class reigns highest. Everyone is equal. The Gurus made sure that Guru Granth Sahib is directly accessible to everyone and there need not be the priests as intermediates.

The 5 K’s

• Kesh: (uncut hair) A Sikh is to maintain and adorn this natural God-given gift. To work with nature and not against it. The Kesh was covered with a turban or dupatta to keep it clean and manageable.

• Kanga (wooden comb) for the maintenance and ongoing upkeep of Kesh. A reminder to regularly maintain the body and mind in a clean and healthy state.

• Kara (steel bracelet or slave bangle): Symbolises an unbreakable bond with God. It is a constant reminder that the Sikh is a slave of the Lord. He or she must only do His work in accordance with the Holy Scripture; to abstain for wrong-doing at all times.

• Kachhera (cotton underwear) Standard, Naturally Comfortable, dignified attire reflective of modesty and control. A sign of a soldier; ever ready; dignified and highly mobile.

• Kirpan (a small sword) A sign that a Sikh is a soldier in “The Righteous Army" (Akal Purakh ki fauj); to maintain and protect the weak and needy and for self defence. NEVER TO BE USED IN ANGER OR TO HARM.

Vasakhi

Other celebrations• Technically, there are no festivals in Sikhism. However, the events mostly

centred around the lives of the Gurus and Sikh martyrs are commemorated based on the Nanakshahi calendar. Sikh celebrations include the following:

• Gurpurabs are celebrations or commemorations based on the lives of the Sikh gurus. They tend to be either birthdays or celebrations of Sikh martyrdom. All ten Gurus have Gurpurabs on the Nanakshahi calendar, but it is Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh who have a gurpurab that is widely celebrated in Gurdwaras and Sikh homes. The martyrdoms are also known as a shaheedi Gurpurabs, which mark the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Tegh Bahadur.

• Bandi Chhor celebrates Guru Hargobind's release from the Gwalior Fort, with several innocent Hindu kings who were also imprisoned by Jahangir, on 26 October 1619. This day usually commemorated on the same day of Hindu festival of Diwali.

• Hola Mohalla occurs the day after Holi and is when the Khalsa gather at Anandpur and display their individual and team warrior skills, including fighting and riding.