Sikhism is a monotheistic religion, born in the northern area of India / Pakistan. It was founded by the first guru, Guru Nanak. It is the fifth largest religion in the world with 26 million followers spread all over the world. Sikhism maintains the existence of a single creator, devoid of hatred, who can be reached through prayer and the memory of the Name of God.
Furthermore, Sikhs must lead a life based on sound moral principles, earn a living through hard work and honesty, and share their wealth with others by doing works of charity.
Sikhism is opposed to celibacy, and invites its followers to strike a balance between spiritual and temporal obligations.
Steps
Step 1. Sikhs have the obligation to pray every day, work hard and share goods with those most in need
Step 2. The word Sikh means disciple, therefore Sikhs are the disciples of the ten prophets who collected their teachings in a sacred text, called Siri Guru Granth Sahib
Step 3. This was written by six gurus
Step 4. However, there are some sacred texts written by past and present Sikh followers which are worth reading
Step 5. If you live in India, you will have no problem attending a Gurdwara or a Sikh temple
Outside of India it could be more difficult. If you live near a Sikh temple, visit the Granthi, which is the one who practices daily religious service.
Step 6. Many Sikhs are vegetarians, because they have great respect for animals, even though they have the right to eat meat
However, they refuse to eat the meat of animals slaughtered according to Jewish and Muslim rules. When Sikhs attend the temple, they are served only vegetarian food.
Step 7. There is only one God who is eternal, it is difficult to know, but not impossible
It can be reached through inner experience, which is why Sikhs attach particular importance to prayer. The Sikhs aim to reunite with God to end the cycle of Karma.
Step 8. Meditate
The Sikhs meditate for the search for truth, since God is truth and, since they know God through meditation, through the latter they also reach the truth. Guru Nanak affirmed that truth is reached through one's heart, so meditation leads us on the path of enlightenment and concludes the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
Step 9. According to Sikhism, the five evils that prevent us from achieving union with God are pride, lust, anger, greed and attachment to material goods
If you want to lead a life free from suffering, you must avoid the five evils.
Step 10. Guru Nanak taught that the only way to achieve union with God is devotion
He affirmed that rituals, pilgrimage and all forms of asceticism make no sense and emphasized inner devotion through love. Sikhs have an optimistic outlook on life with a spirit of chardi kala. They believe they should defend and protect the rights of others. In other words, they reject the division into castes, the difference between men and women, racism and other prejudices that are the basis of social inequalities.
Step 11. Embrace charity
Charitable actions are very important for Sikhs who combine charity with work and devotion. They are part of their mission to defend others, even from poverty.
Step 12. Sikhs recite parts of Siri Guru Granth Sahib every day and before / after some activities
The part depends on the activity carried out and serves to strengthen faith.
Step 13. Sikhism has many rites which are celebrated as a sign of faith or to strengthen it
Here are some excerpts from Wikipedia, although there are still others.
- The most important festivals are the gurpurabs, which mark the birth or martyrdom of a Guru. All ten Gurus have gurpurabs on the Nanakshahi calendar, but the gurpurabs of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh are most widely celebrated in times and homes. The martyrs are also known as shaheedi Gurpurab, which commemorate the day of martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Tegh Bahadur.
- Baisakhi, or Vaisakhi is usually celebrated on April 13th and is the festival of the spring harvest. The Sikhs celebrate it because in 1699 the tenth guru, Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa, giving his Sikhs their own identity.
- Bandi Chhor Divas or Diwali celebrates the liberation of Guru Hargobind from Fort Gwalior, with fifty-two innocent kings, who were imprisoned by the Islamic ruler Jahangir on October 26, 1619.
- Hola Mohalla celebrates the day when Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru, organized an event of military art and poetry that best represented the values of Sikh culture.
Step 14. Sikhs pray once in the morning and twice in the evening, sometimes in the temple and other times at home
Here are the names of the morning and evening prayers.
- Morning prayers include: Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav Prasaad Svaiye, Chaupai Sahib, Anand Sahib.
- Evening Prayer: Rehras Sahib.
- Prayer before going to bed: Kirtan Sohila
- Here is a link to the recording of the prayers:
Step 15. Baptized
When a Sikh receives baptism or Amrit he purifies himself and becomes a Khalsa. Members of the religious brotherhood of "baptized" Sikhs are required to carry five symbols at all times.
