The word 'Sikh' in
the Punjabi language means 'disciple', Sikhs are the disciples
of God who follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus.
The wisdom of these teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib are practical
and universal in their appeal to all mankind.
"I observe neither Hindu fasting nor the ritual of the
Muslim Ramadan month; Him I serve who at the last shall save.
The Lord of universe of the Hindus, Gosain and Allah to me are
one; From Hindus and Muslims have I broken free. I perform neither
Kaaba pilgrimage nor at bathing spots worship; One sole Lord I
serve, and no other. I perform neither the Hindu worship nor the
Muslim prayer; To the Sole Formless Lord in my heart I bow. We
neither are Hindus nor Muslims; Our body and life belong to the
One Supreme Being who alone is both Ram and Allah for us."
Any human being who faithfully believes in: (i) One Immortal
Being, (ii) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh,
(iii) The Guru Granth Sahib, (iv) The utterances and teachings
of the ten Gurus and, (v) the baptism bequeathed by the tenth
Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion is
a Sikh."
Philosophy
and Beliefs
 There
is only One God. He is the same God for all people of all religions.
The
soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches
the human form. The goal of our life is to lead an exemplary existence
so that one may merge with God. Sikhs should remember God at all
times and practice living a virtuous and truthful life while maintaining
a balance between their spiritual obligations and temporal obligations.
The true path to
achieving salvation and merging with God does not require renunciation
of the world or celibacy, but living the life of a householder,
earning a honest living and avoiding worldly temptations and sins.
Sikhism condemns
blind rituals such as fasting, visiting places of pilgrimage,
superstitions, worship of the dead, idol worship etc.
Sikhism preaches
that people of different races, religions, or sex are all equal
in the eyes of God. It teaches the full equality of men and women.
Women can participate in any religious function or perform any
Sikh ceremony or lead the congregation in prayer.
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