Learning about Sikhi

What is Sikhism? 
Sikhism is a way of life; a disciplined mode of life coupled with a belief in the unity of one God, the equality of all mankind, faith in the Guru's word and love for all. The stepping stone for a Sikh is to accept the one God and worship Him with ones tongue, mind and actions. A Sikh puts his trust in God alone rather than in other beings, relatives, wealth or possessions. To act in His name and gradually reach a stage where, as the Guru says, "Water mingles with water and light merges in the light, discarding their separate existence."
Originality and clarity of the Sikh faith was instrumental in promoting it from its inception in about 1499 and its voluntary adoption by the masses with eagerness and whole-heartedness. "Keep the message simple" appears to be the common thread throughout Sikhi concepts. Simran - meditating and remembering the Creator and Seva - willingness to give ones labour for free - are the bedrocks of Sikhi. If you cannot focus your mind on the Lord; see God in all; believe in the Creator, then the journey is going to be a little longer. 
Equality, non-discrimination, true justice, and worship of only One God, are basic values that are well-known and gave the world a simple and universal faith. Today, some 540 years after the birth of the founder of Sikhi, Guru Nanak, Sikhism has more than twenty two million followers, and it is the fifth largest faith in the world. Sikhi is respected the world over and is known as a religion of peace and unity of mankind. 
The Sikh Gurus promoted all human beings as one and the same, and they are all above discrimination. The Gurus showed real love for all of humanity. Muslims were equally dear to them as Hindus, or any others. 
 It is well known that Bhai Mardana a Muslim, spent his whole adult life with Guru Nanak, accompanying the Guru with his Rabab as a musician and the Guru's closest companion everywhere that the Guru went.
The foundation of Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar - the premier Sikh shrine, was laid by a Muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir. Guru Arjun Dev incorporated in Guru Granth Sahib - the Sikh Holy Book, hymns of God-oriented saints - both Hindus as well as Muslims. Hymns of any saint that found a place in this Holy Book, are honoured like those of the Gurus, and every Sikh bows equally in reverence to all of them.
The Sikh faith is the faith of preaching; of dialogue; and not of conversions. It is a truly interfaith approach to universal brotherhood of humanity undertaken when the word 'interfaith' did not exist. 
==Core Sikh values==
* 1. One God for all the Universe and all the peoples.
* 2. Gender equality:- From about 1499, Sikhi accepted women as the equal of men, who have all the rights and privileges enjoyed by men. Women are considered to have the same soul as men and have an equal right to grow spiritually. Sikh women are allowed to lead religious congregations, to take part in Akhand Path (the continuous recitation of the Holy Scriptures), to perform Kirtan (singing hymns from Guru Granth Sahib), to work as a Granthi (priest) or a preacher and to participate freely in all religious, cultural, social, political and secular activities.
* 3. Race equality:- The Sikh Gurus have emphasised the concept of the equality of mankind in the sacred verses found in the Sikh holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Nanak says in Japji Sahib: "Accept all humans as your equals, and let them be your only sect" (Japji 28), and Guru Gobind Singh tell the world: "manas ki jat sabhe eke paihcanbo - recognise all of mankind as a single caste of humanity". Therefore, Sikhs believe that all human beings are equal. “We are all sons and daughters of Waheguru, the Almighty Lord” is the message promoted by the Sikh Gurus.
* 4. Remember God (Naam Japo):- This is one of the three pillars of Sikhism; the remembrance of God by repeating and focussing the mind on His name and His blessings. 
* 5. Honest work (Kirat Karni):- To work and earn by the "sweat of the brow", to live a family way of life, and practice truthfulness and honesty in all dealings is a fundamental part of Sikhi. The term means to carry out good deeds and earn an honest, pure and upright livelihood by exercising ones God given skills, abilities, talents and hard labour for the benefit and improvement of the individual, their family and society at large.
* 6. Share with others (Wand kay shako):- to share ones wealth with others in the community, to give to charity, to distribute in Langar (free Kitchen) and to generally help others in the community who need help. A Sikh is expected to contribute at least 10% of their wealth/income called Dasvandh to the needy people of the world or to a worthy cause.
* 7. Do Sewa:- is a word used to refer to "selfless service", performed without any thought of reward or personal benefit. All Sikhs are encouraged by their Guru, Guru Granth Sahib to perform selfless voluntary service for the community. This is not only good for community relations but also is good for the moral uplifting of the person. Sikhs should engage in in free service in Gurdwaras; washing dishes, cleaning floors, serving food, even polishing others shoes and serving in community centres; hospitals, etc.
* 8. Respect for rights of others:- In this regard, the ninth Nanak, Guru Tegh Bahadur provides a very valuable lesson for the Sikhs and for the other concerned peoples of the world relating to the security and protection of all human beings within our society. It is very common for communities to protect their own members. The evidence for this, is well documented in the history of mankind. In protecting or seeking to spread their own religious beliefs or their own traditions or culture, they sometimes decimate or destroy the beliefs and ways of others; when one becomes self-centred on ones “own people” or ones “own religion”, or ones “own community”; this can become the beginning of serious problems and many major conflicts have started in this way. Guru Tegh Bahadur is a shinning example to the whole world of how one should care for their neighbour and protect their rights; He stood by the Kashmiri Hindus in a valiant effort to protect their way of life and to practice their religion freely.
* 9. Right to defend:- Guru Gobind Singh has very clearly set the mission for the Sikhs to tread the unique path of Akal Purakh ki Fauj - the 'Army of Lord' to protect and serve all the peoples of the World – only then can it be rightly called "Akal Purakh ki Fauj". When the Khalsa starts serving the needs of a few, or starts being concerned only with itself, it will fail in its duties as set out by the tenth Guru. 
* 10. Fear none but God:- It is known that fear is an emotional response to threats and danger. Although fear is different from anxiety, which typically occurs without any external threat, the two bring much pain and misery to the person who is suffering from these two emotions. Fear is related to the specific behaviours of escape and avoidance, while anxiety is the result of threats that are perceived to be uncontrollable or unavoidable. The Guru Granth Sahib offers guidance on how one should become fearless in their life. The trials and tribulation of modern life means that both these ailments are on the increase in the world; many suffer from anxiety and fear due to losing one's identity and/or security; from constant and sustained financial, health and emotional pressures; from humiliation, oppression, victimization, feelings of inferiority, persecution of one's group, and other kinds of discrimination, etc. These external agents are relentless and become such a strain that many suffer constantly in pain. 
* 11. Sewa and support for the weak:- Sikhism is founded on the principles of Sarbat da bhalla - working towards the "common good of all". For Sikhs, this means reaching out to serve and uplift all of humanity as an expression or devotion to the Creator. Many other Sikh institutes, such as Guru-ka-Langar, Kirtan, Paath, etc., depend on the performance of Seva by many in the congregation. So the principles of Seva underpin many Sikh values - such is the importance given to Seva in Sikhism. Seva or Karseva also shortened to ‘Sewa’ is a word used to refer to "selfless service" or "free-voluntary service", performed without any thought of reward or personal benefit. Doing 'Seva' is a central Sikh tenet; all Sikhs are encouraged by their Guru (Guru Granth Sahib) to perform Seva or Selfless Service within the community. Not only is this good for community relations but it is also good and moral uplifting of the person performing the voluntary service. 
* 12. Live to the highest spiritual level:- O Lord, give me this boon. May I never ever shirk from doing good deeds. Never may I fear when I go to fight the enemy. With surety, victory will be mine
* 13. Don't use force:- Kabeer, to use force is tyranny, even if you call it legal. When your account is called for in the Court of the Lord, what will your condition be then? ॥187॥ 
==The message of the holy Granth ==
The articles below are based on the guidance given by the Sri Guru Granth Sahib on certain important human issues:
* Guru Granth Sahib on humility
* Guru Granth Sahib on jealousy
* Guru Granth Sahib and debt
* Guru Granth Sahib on Agni
* Guru Granth Sahib on Arguing
* Guru Granth Sahib on Drugs
* Guru Granth Sahib on meat	
* Guru Granth Sahib on hair
* Guru Granth Sahib on God
* Guru Granth Sahib on ablution
* Guru Granth Sahib on alcohol
* Guru Granth Sahib on anger
* Guru Granth Sahib on charity
* Guru Granth Sahib on ego	
* Guru Granth Sahib on Adornment
* Guru Granth Sahib on Family Life
* Guru Granth Sahib against lust
* Guru Granth Sahib against cruelty
* Guru Granth Sahib on pilgrimage and fasting
* Guru Granth Sahib on using force
* Guru Granth Sahib's guidance for Muslims
* For a full current list of all the articles in the series "Guru Granth Sahib on...." can be listed here: :Category:Guru Granth Sahib on
==Sikhiwiki Links==
==External Links== 
Many good sites are available on the net to help you learn about Sikhi or Sikhism. This page is a hub and connection to these pages. Click on the links below to begin your journey on the Guru's path!
===Sikh Missionary site===
This is a Sikh resource centre based in Southall, Middlesex, U.K. The following articles are by G. S. Sidhu, G. S. Sivia, Kirpal Singh, Mohinder Singh Cheema, G. S. Mansukhani
* Introduction to Sikhism
* What is Sikhism
* The History of Sikhism
* Faqs on Sikhism
* Guru Nanak (for Children)	
* The Guru's Way (for Children)
* In the Guru's footsteps (for Kids)
* Guru Arjan, Apostle of Peace
* The Sikh Symbols
* The Sikh Bangle	
* The Sikh Woman
* The Gurdwara
* The Teachings of Guru Amardas
* Main Index
===Sikh Research and Education Center===
The Sikh Research and Education Center (or "SREC") offers an Online Library on Sikhism. The Online Reference Library Project is an ever-expanding collection of resources compiled and edited by the members of the SREC and our associates. The SREC are for the promoting of the Genuine Sikh Teachings Worldwide. 
* Introduction to Sikhism
* Basic Principles of Sikhism
* Status of the Soul	
* God Alone is the Giver
* The Aim of the Sikh Teachings
* Equality of All	
* The Great Illusion - Maya
* Disciplined Life
* Main Index
===Other Sites===
* Who and What is a Khalsa?
* Learn Punjabi Online
* Gurbani.org	
* BOSS articles
* BBC site on Sikhism	
* How to tie a Turban
* Download PDF file on FAQs of Sikhi
==See Also==
* Listen to Kirtan
Category:Learning