Beliefs

Sikhs believe that human beings spend their time in a cycle of birth, life, and rebirth. They share this belief with followers of other Indian religious traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The quality of each particular life depends on the law of Karma. Karma sets the quality of a life according to how well or badly a person behaved in their previous life. The only way out of this cycle, which all faiths regard as painful, is to achieve a total knowledge of and union with God.

God
Sikhism believes in god can be summed up in the Mool Mantar , (which means the "Main chant" or "root verse"), which are: there is one creator whose name is truth creative being without fear without hate timeless whose spirit is throughout the universe beyond the cycle of death and rebirth self-existent by the grace of the guru God is made known to humanity. Chant and meditate on His name True in the beginning, true now, and says Nanak, will be true forever

Sikhs don't think it pleases God if people pay no attention to others and simply devote themselves slavishly to religion. Sikhism doesnt ask people to turn away from ordinary life to get closer to God. In fact it demands that they use ordinary life as a way to get closer to God. A Sikh serves God by serving (seva) other people every day. By devoting their lives to service they get rid of their own ego and pride. Many Sikhs carry out chores in the Gurdwara as their service to the community. These range from working in the kitchen to cleaning the floor. The Langar, or free food kitchen, is a community act of service. Sikhs also regard caring for the poor or sick as an important duty of service.

Duties as a Sikh
The three duties that a Sikh must carry out can be summed up in three words; Pray, Work, Give.

Nam japna:
Keeping God in mind at all times.

Kirt Karna:
Earning an honest living. Since God is truth, a Sikh seeks to live honestly. This doesn't just mean avoiding crime; Sikhs avoid gambling, begging, or working in the alcohol or tobacco industries.

Vand Chhakna:
(Literally, sharing one's earnings with others) Giving to charity and caring for others.

Some of the other main beliefs in Sikhism are as follows : There is only one God for all the peoples of the world All are equal before this one God To respect all beings and to protect the weak. To live by one's honest labour and enterprise - Kirat Karni To remember the gift of life from the Almighty and to rely on Him only To engage in regular remembrance of God - Naam Japna and Simran One must live the life of a householder - committed to Selfless service (Sewa) to the community To shares one's wealth with the needy - Wand ka Chakna To be vigilant and defend one's life from the evil internal forces - Lust (Kham), Anger (Krodh), Greed (Lobh), Attachment (Moh), and Ego (ahankar). To promote positive qualities both personally and among the community. To embrace Sat (Truth); Daya (Compassion); Santokh (Contenment); Nimrata(Humility); and Pyare (Love) as positive qualities of life.

Sikhs try to avoid the five vices that make people self-centred, and build barriers against God in their lives. Lust Covetousness and greed Attachment to things of this world Anger Pride

If a person can overcome these vices they are on the road to liberation.

The 5K in Sikhism
The Five Ks (Punjabi: Paj Kakr), are five Articles of Faith that Khalsa Sikhs wear at all times at the command of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh who so ordered at the Vaisakhi Amrit Sanskar in 1699. The Five Ks are not just symbols but Articles of Faith that collectively form the external identity and the Khalsa devotee's commitment to the Sikh rehni "Sikh way of life". A Sikh who dons all five Ks is known as Khalsa "pure" or Amritdhari "Amrit Sanskar participant", while a Sikh who has not donned all five is called a sahajdhari "slow adopter".

5K :

1. Kesh uncut hair. The Kesh or unshorn long hair is an indispensable part of the human body. It was created by Waheguru as the mainstay of the 'Jivan Jaach', the Rehni that was prescribed by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib by which a Sikh is clearly and quickly identified. A Sikh never cuts or trims any hair to indicate the perfection of God's creation. A Dastaar is a turban worn to protect the Kesh and guard the Dasam Duaar (the Tenth Gate), a spiritual opening at the top of the head. The turban is a spiritual crown, which is a constant reminder to the Sikh that he or she is sitting on the throne of consciousness and is committed to living according to Sikh principles. Guru Gobind Singh jee told his Sikhs: "Khaalsa mero roop hai kaas. Khaalsa mai ho karo nivaas... The Khalsa is my image. Within the Khalsa I reside. Wearing a turban declares sovereignty, dedication, self-respect, courage and piety. 2. Kanga - a wooden comb.

A Kangha is a small wooden comb that Sikhs use twice a day. It should be worn in the hair, and only the hair, at all times. Combs help to clean hair and remove tangles from it, as well as being a symbol of cleanliness. Combing their hair reminds Sikhs that their lives should be tidy and organized, too. The Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh to wear a small comb called a Kangha at all times. The comb keeps the hair tidy, a symbol of not just accepting what God has given, but also an injunction to maintain it with grace. The Guru said hair should be allowed to grow naturally. For men, this includes not shaving.

3. Kara - a metal bracelet. The Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanchar in 1699 to wear a iron bangle called a Kara at all times. The Kara is a constant reminder to always remember that whatever a person does with their hands has to be in keeping with the advice given by the Guru. The Kara is a steel circle to symbolize life as never ending.

4. Kachera a specific style of cotton underwear.

Originally, the Kachera was made part of the five Ks as a symbol of a Sikh soldier's willingness to be ready at a moment's notice for battle or for defense. The confirmed Sikh (one who has taken the Amrit) wears a kachera every day. Some go to the extent of wearing a kachera while bathing, to be ready to at a moment's notice, changing into the new one leg at a time, so as to have no moment where they are unprepared. Further, this garment allowed the Sikh soldier to operate in combat freely and without any hindrance or restriction, because it was easy to fabricate, maintain, wash and carry compared to other traditional under-garments of that era, like the dhoti. The Kachera symbolises self-respect, and always reminds the wearer of mental control over lust, one of the Five Evils in Sikh philosophy.

Kachera follow a generally practical and roomy design. It features an embedded string that circles the waist which can be tightened/loosened as desired, and then knotted securely. The Kachera can be classed between underwear and an outer garment, as in appearance it does not reveal private anatomy, and looks and wears like shorts. As with all of the Five Ks, there is equality between men and women, and so women are also expected to wear it. Considering the hot climate in India, the Kachera is often worn by men as an outer garment, keeping the wearer cool and being practical in manual work such as farming, however it is generally not considered respectful for women to wear the Kachera as an outer garment (on its own) as it is considered too revealing.

5. Kirpan a strapped curved sword.

The Kirpan is a short dagger which symbolizes a Sikh's duty to come to the defence of

those in peril. All baptised Sikhs should wear a short form of Kirpan (approx. 6" to 9" long) on their body at all times as a defensive side-arm, just as a police officer is expected to wear a public-defensive weapon when on duty. Its use is only allowed in the act of selfdefense and the protection of others. It stands for bravery and protecting the weak and innocent. Originally, the kirpan was kept sharp and was actually used to defend others, such as those who were being forcibly converted by Mughalrulers, women who were raped in the streets, or a person who was being robbed or beaten. The true Sikh cannot turn a blind eye to such evils, thinking that they are "someone else's concern .It is the duty of the true Sikh to help those who suffer unjustly, by whatever means available, whether that means alerting the police, summoning help, or literally defending those who cannot defend themselves, even if that means putting oneself in harm's way.