Sikhism the fifth largest faith in the world and is a monotheistic. "Sikh" means student, and therefore Sikhs are asked to study theological and scientific concepts. It teaches that everybody is equal - there is no social, religious, sexual, etc. discrimination against anybody - and that Waheguru (God - literally, "Wise / Great Teacher") created them to live together in harmony. In fact, Sikhs are so far into this equality business that they are required to wear a turban - an Indian headdress that is used to show economic and social high standings - and they are required upon marriage to refer to themselves as Singh for men and Kaur for women to symbolize their bond with humanity as equal brothers and sisters of Waheguru; these serve as their functioning middle or last names.
The Sikh Lifestyle
All Sikhs must observe the 5Ks:
xxxxx1. Kesh - uncut hair; symbolizes Waheguru's beautiful and natural creation
xxxxx2. Kangha - wooden comb; worn in the kesh and is used to keep the hair neat under the turban.
xxxxx3. Kara - steel bracelet that can never be removed; symbolizes the wheel of reincarnation.
xxxxx4. Kachera - wool undergarments that stretch down to the knee; symbolizes chastity and self-control.
xxxxx5. Kirpan - steel, small ceremonial knife; symbolizes a Sikhs' duty to come to aid for anybody who in peril or being persecuted.
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There are a number of religious prohibitions in Sikhism.
1. Cutting hair: Cutting hair is strictly forbidden in Sikhism. Sikhs are required to keep unshorn hair.
2. Intoxication: Consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and other intoxicants is not allowed. Intoxicants are strictly forbidden for a Sikh.
3.Adultery: In Sikhism, the spouses must be physically faithful to one another.
4.Blind spirituality: Superstitions and rituals should not be observed or followed, including pilgrimages, fasting and ritual purification; circumcision; idols, grave worship; compulsory wearing of the veil for women; etc.
5.Material obsession: Obsession with material wealth is not encouraged in Sikhism.
6.Sacrifice of creatures: The practice of sati (widows throwing themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands), ritual animal sacrifice to celebrate holy occasions, etc. are forbidden.
7.Non-family-oriented living: A Sikh is encouraged not to live as a recluse, beggar, yogi, monastic (monk/nun) or celibate.
8.Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip, lying, slander, "back-stabbing", etc. are not permitted. The Guru Granth Sahib tells the Sikh, "Your mouth has not stopped slandering and gossiping about others. Your service is useless and fruitless."
9.Priestly class: Sikhism does not have priests, they were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru of Sikhism). The only position he left was a Granthi to look after the Guru Granth Sahib, any Sikh is free to become Granthi or read from the Guru Granth Sahib.
10.Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (Kutha meat): Sikhs are strictly prohibited from eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (such as halal or kosher, known as Kutha meat ), or any meat where langar is served. In some small Sikh Sects, i.e. Akhand Kirtani Jatha eating any meat is believed to be forbidden, but this is not a universally held belief. The meat eaten by Sikhs is known as Jhatka meat.
11.Having premarital or extramarital sexual relations
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibitions_in_Sikhism
1. Cutting hair: Cutting hair is strictly forbidden in Sikhism. Sikhs are required to keep unshorn hair.
2. Intoxication: Consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and other intoxicants is not allowed. Intoxicants are strictly forbidden for a Sikh.
3.Adultery: In Sikhism, the spouses must be physically faithful to one another.
4.Blind spirituality: Superstitions and rituals should not be observed or followed, including pilgrimages, fasting and ritual purification; circumcision; idols, grave worship; compulsory wearing of the veil for women; etc.
5.Material obsession: Obsession with material wealth is not encouraged in Sikhism.
6.Sacrifice of creatures: The practice of sati (widows throwing themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands), ritual animal sacrifice to celebrate holy occasions, etc. are forbidden.
7.Non-family-oriented living: A Sikh is encouraged not to live as a recluse, beggar, yogi, monastic (monk/nun) or celibate.
8.Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip, lying, slander, "back-stabbing", etc. are not permitted. The Guru Granth Sahib tells the Sikh, "Your mouth has not stopped slandering and gossiping about others. Your service is useless and fruitless."
9.Priestly class: Sikhism does not have priests, they were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru of Sikhism). The only position he left was a Granthi to look after the Guru Granth Sahib, any Sikh is free to become Granthi or read from the Guru Granth Sahib.
10.Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (Kutha meat): Sikhs are strictly prohibited from eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (such as halal or kosher, known as Kutha meat ), or any meat where langar is served. In some small Sikh Sects, i.e. Akhand Kirtani Jatha eating any meat is believed to be forbidden, but this is not a universally held belief. The meat eaten by Sikhs is known as Jhatka meat.
11.Having premarital or extramarital sexual relations
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibitions_in_Sikhism
They observe three pillars: kirat karo, - being honest, pure, and dedicating to using their skills and talents to help others - naam japo, - praying, singing hymns, and chanting Waheguru's name - and vand chhako - to share what you have with the community. Following these pillars, as well as the Five Virtues (Sat, - truth - daya, - compassion - santokh, - contentment - nimrada, - humility - and pyar - love for God) will help a Sikh become closer to Waheguru. People move away from Waheguru by following the Five Evils: Kaam (lust), Krodh (wrath), Lobh (greed), Moh (attachment), and Hankaar (ego).
What do Sikhs believe?
As stated just above, they observe kirat karo, naam japo, and vand chhako. These serve as the foundation of how they live their lives. Sikhs believe that following these pillars will ward off the five evils (kaam, krodh, lobh, moh, and hankaar) and allow the soul to be purified for negative karma. They are religiously obligated to give to charity regularly and to pray and meditate in an attempt to get closer to Waheguru. Sikhs, like Hindus and Buddhists, believe that the soul reincarnates until purity is reached. It is through Waheguru's grace and mercy alone that one is released from the wheel of incarnation; the ultimate goal of a devout Sikh is to merge souls with Waheguru, a concept very similar to that of the Hindu. Those souls which are not pure enough to merge with God are reborn. Those souls which are incredibly evil go to a hell-like realm in which they are exposed to darkness and emptiness until their negative karmas are lowered.
Their religious text is called the Guru Granth Sahib and holds the teachings of the 10 gurus, - primarily Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the religion in the 1500s - or teachers, who founded the modern concept of Sikhism as well as various writings from Muslim and Hindu philosophers. Guru Granth Sahib is considered the immortal guru.
Sikhism on Social Affairs and Science
Sikhs believe that one cannot know with absolute certainty how Waheguru created the universe and life, but many proscribe to a creationist idea. There are those, however, who believe that he guided the processes that science has proven to be correct, whatever they may be (at this time, the Big Bang Theory and Evolution Theory, but perhaps that will change in the future). There is no opinion regarding homosexuality in Sikh texts (of course, it is still apart of kaam if done in a lustful fashion), but abortion is considered sinful.
The Gurus of Sikhism
1. Nanak Dev
2. Angad Dev
3. Amar Das
4. Ram Das
5. Arjan Dev
6. Har Gobind
7. Har Rai
8. Har Krishan
9. Tegh Bahadur
10. Gobind Singh
11. Guru Granth Sahib
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh_gurus
