What is Sikhism?

Religion is the path that great personages have chalked out to show the way for realizing the purpose of human life!

Of several paths shown by religion, Sikhism is the one path that the ten masters from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh have shown. It is known as Sikh Dharma or Sikh Religion.

Sikh is a follower of Guru Nanak Dev who has embraced the Sikh religion of this paragon of truth, and professes Guru Granth Sahib as his scripture, and regards the ten Gurus as identical.

Sikhism Beliefs

The basic beliefs of the Sikh religion are as under:

The chief purpose of religion is not to land in heaven, but attain oneness with the Supreme Creator through constant concentration on Him, without which the cycle of life and death does not terminate. The form of the Creator is: “Ik Oankar, Satnaam, Karta Purkh, Nirbhao, Nirvair, Akaal Moorat, Ajooni, Saibhan’, Gurparsaad.” i.e.

Ik Oankar = God is the matchless one
Satnaam = ever indestructible
Karta Purakh = creator of all inhering His creation.
Nirbhao = Unlike the gods He fears none,
Nirvair = nor does He frighten His foes and is ever blissful.
Akaal Moorat = Not bounded by time
Ajooni = He is immune to birth and death, Saibhan’ = creates all and is created by none.
Gurparsaad = Through the grace of that Supreme Light everything is attainable.

Founder of Sikhism

Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539) was the founder of Sikhism. Scholars interpret the meaning of Nanak as “the one who is without diversity (non-dual)”. He went on 4 voyages in the Indian Subcontinent and across for spiritual pursuits. His 9 Ascensions from Guru Angad to Guru Gobind Singh are also known as Nanak as they all recited Gurbani using the pen-name Nanak.

Through popular tradition, Nanak’s teaching is understood to be practiced in three ways:

1. Kirat Karo: Earn with your own hands, without exploitation of weaker.
2. Naam Japo: Keep meditating on God’s name.
3. Wand Shako: Share a part of what belongs to you with others

He earned equal respect from both Hindus and Muslims of the time and became popular among Hindus as Guru, among Muslims as Peer.

Sikh Gurus

Sikhism Holy Book

Rather than saying a Holy Book of Sikhs, It is the living Guru of Sikhs and we name it Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. To be one with the Creator one needs a guide embodied by the ten Gurus whose complete being is vested in Guru Granth Sahib.

The original version of Adi Granth dictated by 5th Guru Arjan Dev was penned by Bhai Gurdas Ji. While the present form of Guru Granth Sahib Ji was dictated by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and penned by Bhai Mani Singh.

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Sikhism Symbol

A Sikh gets recognition with the turban on their head. However, there are other symbols you might have seen more often:

ੴ and ☬

The first one is the symbol that appears at the very beginning of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and on which the whole idea of Sikhism resides. It is pronounced as IK OANKAAR.
Second is the prime identity of Panth Khalsa (historically it became very late in fashion)

Apart from these, you might have come across Rehatvaan Sikhs – the baptized one, initiated into Sikhism with ‘Khande Di Pahul’ by 5 selected Singhs. They wear a Dagger (Kirpaan), a wrist bangle (Kadaa) with other 3Ks.