Overview

Sikhism is one of the youngest of the world's great faiths, having been founded in the Punjab just over five hundred years ago by the first Guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Sikhism is the fourth largest religion in Britain with about half a million Sikhs living in the UK. But most of the world's 20 million Sikhs still live in the Punjab.

Sikhism is a religion which promotes the concept of one God and believes in the principles of equality, justice and freedom for all.

Guru Nanak brought the cardinal religious truths and legacies of Hinduism and Islam into harmony and is for this reason described as a monument of creative spiritual triumph between the two traditional religions of the Indian sub-continent.



Guru Nanak

Basic concepts and beliefs of Sikhism
The aim of Sikhism is to help the seeker of truth to discover within himself the light of perfection and realise God not only as a mystical experience but in life itself and the existence of humanity.

One of the core beliefs is equality for all and can be seen in the quote:

'Manus ki jaat sabhai ek pehchanbo'
recognise and accept this fact, that humans are one race,
children of one father, so there are no chosen ones and no superior ones.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (10th Guru)

The Sikh faith is strictly monotheistic (i.e. a belief in one God). God in the Sikh creed is 'Ek Onkar' - the supreme being. The 'guru' in Sikhism is the perfect messenger of God in whom the light of God shines fully.

Sikhs believe that religion should be practiced by living in the world and dealing with life's everyday problems. They do not believe in retreating from the world as a monk or a hermit and regard doing good actions more important than carrying out rituals. This can be seen in one of the sayings of Guru Nanak:

'Greater than truth is truthful living'

Sikhism professes a life according to the three core principles of:


Naam Japna (Jap)
(remembrance and spiritual service to the creator)

Kirat Karni
(work hard and earn your own living)

Vand Chhakna
(share your wealth and time and devote your energy for the good of humanity)

Sikhs who practice the faith must wear Panj Kakke, the 'five K's':



The 'five K's' apply equally to both men and women.


The Sikh holy book is the Guru Granth Sahib, originally called the Adi Granth . It is a collection of hymns by the Sikh Gurus, as well as Muslim and Hindu saints. Guidance is sought by opening the holy book at random and reading verses which are written in Punjabi.



Customs and daily living
Dress and appearance - some Sikhs dress according to the rules of the five K's. Traditionally, many Sikh men wear a turban and Sikh women wear either a sari or shalwar or loose trousers, kameez or tunic and chadar or long and wide scarf. Sikh women do not wear a veil. Many Sikh men and women have however adopted a western dress code.

Food - Sikhs are, strictly according to the Sikh faith, vegetarians. But those who do not practice vegetarianism are prohibited from eating Halal meat and beef. For orthodox Sikhs intoxicants, including alcohol, and smoking are strictly forbidden. Every Gurdwara (place of worship) has a Langar attached to it - a kitchen which serves vegetarian food to anyone free of charge.

Names - All Sikh men have the second name Singh (which means lion) and all Sikh women have the second name Kaur (princess). The first name is a personal name and the last name is a family name, for example, Gurdev Singh Sahota for a man's name or Jaswinder Kaur Bains for a woman. Sikh's first names are unisex.
Family - Sikhism embraces the principles of equality and the brotherhood of man, and accords women and men equal status and rights. The extended family structure can still be observed but it is not as common in Britain. Family members may however live close to one another.

Birth - When a Sikh child is born, the first words they should hear are those of the Mool Mantar - the beginning of the Sikh holy book - which are whispered into the baby's ear. A few weeks later, the child is taken to the Gurdwara where 'Amrit' (a mixture of water and sugar blessed by hymns) may be sprinkled on the baby. The child's name is chosen at this time by opening the Guru Granth Sahib at random and taking the first letter of the hymn for the beginning of the name. The family then choose the rest of the name.

Marriage - marriage is seen as bringing together two families, as well as the close relationship of a man and a woman. A Sikh wedding may be held anywhere as long as the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, is present. During the ceremony, the couple are joined by a cloth or scarf and walk around the Guru Granth Sahib four times. The couple show their consent to the marriage by bowing to the Guru Granth Sahib. The traditional custom of arranged marriages has declined and although partnerships are still arranged, men and women today have more of a say in their choice of partner.

Death - when a Sikh is dying, friends and relatives will gather at the bedside and recite hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. After death, the body is washed and dressed in new clothes and taken for cremation. The son or close relative starts the cremation and the ashes are scattered on running water or the Kirit Pur Shahib Gurdwara in Punjab, India. A religious ceremony is usually held following the funeral to aid the departure of the soul. Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the principle of 'what you sow is what you reap'.

Holy Days and Festivals
Vasakhi - is New Year's Day in the Punjab and falls on 13th April. The date is based on the solar calendar and is fixed. It celebrates the founding of the Khalsa or Sikh brotherhood and coincides with the harvest festival.
Diwali - or Bandi Chorth Diwas is the festival of lights and commemorates the sacrifice of Hair Govind against Moghul rule. It is held at the start of winter.
Guru Nanak's birthday - this is the anniversary of the birth of the first Guru and founder of the faith.
Guru Gobind Singh's birthday - the tenth Guru who instituted the five K's and established the order of the Khalsa on Vaisakhi. The day usually falls at the end of December or beginning of January.
Hola Mahala - this is a three day festival held in Spring - usually a display of physical strength and martial arts activities.


For further in formation about Sikhism or about the Sikh faith in Preston contact:(Contact telephone number, address and/or web site.)