Sikhee is barely 500 hundreds years old but with over 20 million Sikhs around the world, is the fifth largest world religion. The Sikhi faith was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Jee the first Guru in the 15th century in the Punjab (the land of 5 rivers). Following partition in 1947, Punjab is now divided between Pakistan and the northern Indian state of Punjab.
The word Guru is composed of Gu meaning darkness and Ru meaning Light. In GurSikhee (Sikhism) therefore 'Guru' is the "Light that dispels all darkness" and Guru Nanak Dev Jee was the Embodiment of Divine Light.
Sikhee is based on compassion; service; equality between males, females and all religions and encourages an honest, truthful living with a rejection of idol worship, the caste system, ritualism and superstitions.
In Sikhee, heaven and hell are states of mind represented by joy and sorrow, bliss and agony or light and darkness.
Sikhee is a distinct religion and shouldn't be viewed as linked to either Islam or Hinduism. Guru Nanak Dev Jee said "I am neither a Hindu nor a Muslim, I am a human being".
Guru Nanak Dev Jee spread a simple message of Ek Onkar, we are all one, created by the one Creator of all Creation. He said that there is one God and the name of God is Sat Nam (Truth). To show it's importance, Ek Onkar is the first line at the head of all gurbani and forms the first line of the Mool Mantar which begins the Guru Granth Sahib Jee.
Guru Nanak Dev Jee's followers were the Sikhs (the Seekers of Truth - Truth being Sat Naam) and came from different communities and castes. Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught the Sikhs to bow only before God and that in order to experience God within themselves they should:
Naam Japna
Meditate on the Divine Name with love and devotion. Be in tune with the Infinite through meditation on the Divine qualities so that the believer becomes filled with His Name and inculcate such virtues into their own character . And throughout the day, to continually remember God's name.
"maerae man thaj ni(n)dhaa houmai aha(n)kaar ||
O my mind, give up slander, egotism and arrogance. har jeeo sadhaa dhhiaae thoo guramukh eaeka(n)kaar ||1|| rehaao ||
Become Gurmukh, and meditate forever on the Dear Lord, the One and Only Creator. ||1||Pause|| guramukhaa kae mukh oujalae gur sabadhee beechaar ||
The faces of the Gurmukhs are radiant and bright; they reflect on the Word of the Guru's Shabad. halath palath sukh paaeidhae jap jap ridhai muraar ||
They obtain peace in this world and the next, chanting and meditating within their hearts on the Lord. ghar hee vich mehal paaeiaa gur sabadhee veechaar ||2||
Within the home of their own inner being, they obtain the Mansion of the Lord's Presence, reflecting on the Guru's Shabad. ||2||" [Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Page 29] |
Vand Shaknaa
Give or share with others (sustenance,time and effort, expertise, etc) in the society who are less fortunate. It is essentially giving or sharing in selfless love and the spirit of self-sacrifice.
"Jaou laou bhaaou abhaaou ihu maanai taou laou milan dooraaee. Aan aapanaa. Aan aapanaa karat beechaaraa taou laou beech bikhaaee As long as this (mind) believes in likes and dislikes, it is difficult for him to meet the Lord. As long as he entertains the notion of "I, me, mine" and "You" (or others), he will distance himself from the Lord (because until then this mind will act as the veil of Maya between the person and the Lord)" [Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Page 609] |
Kirat Karnee
To practice the right way of living which includes honest or truthful way of labour and work side by side with the search of the Truth.
"sachahu ourai sabh ko oupar sach aachaar ||5||
Truth is higher than everything; but higher still is truthful living" [Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Page 62] "naanak agai so milai j khattae ghaalae dhaee ||1||
O Nanak, in the world hereafter, that alone is received, which one gives to the needy from his own earnings and labour [Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Page 472] |
By following this path, a Sikh can achieve liberation by becoming gur-mukh (God centred) instead of being mann-mukh (self centred).
There have been 10 human Gurus in the Sikh religion, each making a distinguished contribution to the development of the religion. Whilst Sikhs hold the Gurus in high regard they are not worshipped; Sikhs only worship one God "Ek Onkar".
The 10th and last human Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee transformed the Sikhs into the Khalsa a Sant Sipahi (Saint-Soldiers). Guru Gobind Singh Jee baptised five brave men, the "Panj Pyarey" (five beloved ones) who heeded his call for sacrifice. Guru Gobind Singh Jee gave the name "Singh" for men and "Kaur" for women and ordered everyone in the Khalsa to observe the Panj Kakaar Five Ks .
 | All the five kakaar enjoin upon the Sikhs not only to look like Guru Gobind Singh Jee but also to behave as all Sikh Gurus did (i.e. by obeying the divine teachings as recorded in Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee). Guru Gobind Singh said, "The Khalsa is my special form ;I live in the embodiment of the Khalsa. The Khalsa is a part and parcel of my body ; the Khalsa is my very soul." "I will create the Khalsa, who will stand out in the crowd and who will never flinch from performing their duties whatever the odds." |
Kesh - Uncut hair. Symbolises acceptance of God's will.
Kanga - A small wooden comb to groom the hair.
Kara - An iron or steel bracelet to be worn on the right hand. A symbol to remind the wearer of restraint in their actions and remembrance of God at all times.
Kirpan - Small sword 9 inches long, symbolises courage, strength and kindness.
Kachera - Shorts, symbolises modesty and morality