What do Sikhs believe?

Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world. The Sikh religion is also one of the most recent and has only existed for about 500 years. About 25 million Sikhs live worldwide. Sikhs live in almost all major countries. About half a million Sikhs live in the United States. If you are a newcomer to Sikhism and are curious about what Sikhs believe, here are some common questions and answers about the Sikh religion and Sikhism beliefs.

Who founded Sikhism and when?
Sikhism began around 1500 AD, in the northern part of ancient Punjab, which is now part of Pakistan. It originated from the teachings of Guru Nanak who rejected the philosophies of the Hindu society in which he grew up. Refusing to participate in Hindu rites, he argued against the caste system and preached the equality of humanity. Denouncing the worship of demigods and goddesses, Nanak became a traveling minstrel. Going from village to village, he sang in praise of one God.

What do Sikhs believe about God and creation?
Sikhs believe in one creator inseparable from creation. Part and reciprocal participle, the creator exists within the creation that pervades and permeates every aspect of all that is. The creator watches over and takes care of creation. The way to experience God is through creation and meditating inwardly on the divine character of the manifested self which is attuned to the unmanifested and unlimited, creative infinite known by Sikhs as Ik Onkar.

Do Sikhs believe in prophets and saints?
The ten founders of Sikhism are considered by the Sikh masters or spiritual saints. Each of them contributed to Sikhism in unique ways. Many of Guru Granth's texts advise the seeker of spiritual enlightenment to seek the company of saints. The Sikhs regard the scriptures of Granth as their eternal Guru and therefore the saint, or guide, whose instruction is the means of spiritual salvation. Enlightenment is considered an ecstatic state of realization of one's own divine inner connection with the creator and all creation.

Do Sikhs believe in a Bible?
The Holy Scripture of Sikhism is formally known as Siri Guru Granth Sahib. The Granth is a text volume containing 1430 Ang (parts or pages) of poetic verses written in raag, the classic Indian system of 31 musical measures. Guru Granth Sahib is compiled from the writings of Sikh, Hindu and Muslim Gurus. Granth Sahib has been officially inaugurated as a Sikh Guru forever.

Do Sikhs believe in prayer?
Prayer and meditation are an integral part of Sikhism necessary to reduce the effect of the ego and to bind the soul to the divine. Both are performed silently or out loud, individually and in groups. In Sikhism, prayer takes the form of verses selected from Sikh scriptures to be read daily. Meditation is accomplished by repeatedly reciting a word or phrase from the scriptures.

Do Sikhs believe in worshiping idols?
Sikhism teaches a belief in a divine essence that does not have a particular form or form, which manifests itself in each of the countless myriads of forms of existence. Sikhism is contrary to the worship of images and icons as a focal point for any aspect of the divine and does not refer to any hierarchy of demigods or goddesses.

Do Sikhs believe in going to church?
The proper name for the Sikh place of worship is Gurdwara. There is no particular day reserved for Sikh worship services. The meetings and schedule are scheduled for the convenience of the congregation. Where the membership is large enough, formal Sikh worship services can start as early as 3 am and continue until around 21 pm. On special occasions, services run all night until dawn. Gurdwara is open to all people regardless of caste, creed or color. Visitors to the gurdwara are required to cover their heads and remove shoes and may not have tobacco alcohol on them.

Do Sikhs believe in being baptized?
In Sikhism, the equivalent of baptism is the Amrit rebirth ceremony. Sikh initiates drink an elixir prepared with sugar and water mixed with a sword. Initiates agree to head and sever ties to their previous lifestyle in a symbolic gesture of surrendering to their ego. Initiates adhere to a strict code of spiritual and secular moral conduct that includes wearing four symbols of faith and keeping all hair intact for ever longer.

Do Sikhs believe in proselytism?
Sikhs do not proselytize or try to convert those of other faiths. Sikh scriptures turn to insignificant religious rituals, urging the devotee, regardless of faith, to discover the deep and true spiritual meaning of the values ​​of religion rather than simply observing the rites. Historically, the Sikhs have defended the oppressed peoples subjected to forced conversion. The ninth Guru Teg Bahadar sacrificed his life on behalf of the Hindus converted by force to Islam. The Gurdwara or Sikh place of worship is open to all people regardless of faith. Sikhism embraces anyone regardless of caste color or belief that they want to convert to the Sikh lifestyle by choice.

Do Sikhs believe in tithing?
In Sikhism the tithe is known as Das Vand or tenth part of the income. Sikhs can give Das Vand as monetary contributions or in a variety of other ways according to their means, including gifts of community goods and services that benefit the Sikh community or others.

Do Sikhs believe in the devil or demons?
The Sikh script, Guru Granth Sahib, refers to the demons mentioned in Vedic legends mainly for illustrative purposes. There is no belief system in Sikhism that focuses on demons or devils. Sikh teachings focus on the ego and its effect on the soul. Indulging in unbridled egoism can make a soul subject to the demonic influences and realms of darkness that reside in one's consciousness.

What do Sikhs believe in the afterlife?
Transmigration is a common theme in Sikhism. The soul travels through countless lives in a perpetual cycle of birth and death. Every life the soul is subject to the influences of past actions and is thrown into existences within various realms of consciousness and plans of awareness. In Sikhism, the concept of salvation and immortality is enlightenment and liberation from the ego effects so that transmigration ceases and is founded on the divine.