Interfaith Council of
Greater Sacramento

At the heart of Sikh religion lies the idea of the guru. It is the belief that God is the true Guru: that God's divine and creative word came ot makind in a distinctive way through ten historical figures. Also they Sikh community, continue the faith of the tenth guru, is itself the guru. God is the one, the ultimate and eternal Guru, who provides enlightenment and understanding for disciples who set their hearts on finding and serving the truth.

History

The Sikh religion originated at the end of the 15th century, around the area of N. W. India and N. Pakistan. It was founded by Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, (1469-1538) he was born in the Punjab area of what is present day Pakistan. He recieved a vision to preach the way to enlightement and God. He siad "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim" which has become one of the pillars of Sikhism. Later he and his Panth (his followers) later built the first Sikh Temple at Katarpur. After his death a succession of nine Gurus led the movement until 1708. Afterwards the functions of the Guru passed to the Panth and to the holy text.

Sikh Holy Texts

The tenth Guru, Gobind Singh complied the Sikh holy text, known as the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, consists of hymns and writings of the first ten Gurus. Also included is the writings from different Muslim and Hindu saints. The Holy Text is considered the 11th and final Guru, and Sikh's holiest religious text. It was made so by Shri Gunru Gobind Singh Ji.

Sikh Beliefs

• Deity: a belief in a single, Formless God, with many names, who can be known through mediation. This concept is similar to Islam whose followers believe in a single God who has 99 names. It is very different from the Polythestic belief of Hinduism, which regonizes the existance fo hundreds of million of dieties.
• Reincarnation: They believe in samasara (the repetitive cycle of birth, life and death), Karma (the accumlated sum of one's good and bad deeds, and Reincarnation the belief of a rebirth of life following death. These beliefs are similar to Hinduism.
• Caste System: Sikhs have rejected the caste system of the Hindu religion. They believe that everyone has equal rights and status in the eyes of God.

Code of Conduct: Sikh Scholars drafted the Sikh Reahit Marayada, the Sikh Code of Conduct. Among other requirements:

• A Sikh is not permitted to have a any allegiances to other religions.
• Sikhs must accept the teachings of the Gurus in their entirety.
• A person who does not follow all of the requirements of Sikhism is not considered a Sikh and may be excommunicated from the Sikh society.
• Unlike most of the great religions in the world, Sikhism is not divided into traditions, sects or cults. If a group attempted to create a new tradition within Sikhism , then the individuals involved would be excommunicated.

Sikh Practices

• Prayers: repeated multiple times each day
• Worship: Sikhs are prohibited from worshipping idols or icons
• Temples: There are over 200 Gurdwaras (temples, shrines or holy places) in India alone. The most sacred is at Amritsar.
• The Five K's: These are clothing practices followed by stricter Sikhs, called Khalsa saints:

Kesa (long hair, which is never cut)
Kangah (comb)
Kacha (short pants)
Kara (metal bracelet)
Kirpan (a ceremonial dagger)