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Frequently Asked Questions about Sikhism

Q. Why don't Sikhs cut their hair?

A: Sikhs believe that hair or kesh as they call their long hair is an integral part of the human body and hence should not be cut; people are created with long hair for a reason. If one believes in God, then one must accept the "Will of God" or Hukam and the persistent growth of hair on the heads of all humans (except people who go bald!) surely is due to God's Hukam. Long hair or Kesh causes no harm to the person and so the Sikhs see no reason in regularly cutting away hair that is continuously growing. They accept hair as a beautiful part of their bodies. Cutting it is a sign of resistance to God's Hukam. However, Sikhs do not mind if others cut their hair. Many Sikhs called Sehajdhari (slow-adopters) Sikhs do not keep their hair uncut.

Q: Can someone who is not born a Sikh become a Sikh?

A: Yes, Of Course. Anyone who wants, can become a Sikh. It is a religion open to all. The choice has to be made voluntarily and no one is forced or can be forced to become a Sikh. Once a Sikh, one is free to leave Sikhism. There is no automatic curse on someone who leaves Sikhi nor is there any automatic heavenly reward for becoming a Sikh. It is only ones actions, deeds, contributions and thoughts that can determine any outcome in the hereafter!

Q. How do you become a Sikh?

A. Simply by following the path laid down by the Sikh Gurus; by following Gurbani - the words of the Gurus as written in the Sikh holy Granth called the Guru Granth Sahib. You can find the original text and translations in most popular languages on the web. See the article Gurbani online for links to websites.

Before wearing the Guru's bana or uniform and representing the Guru, you will need to understand the Guru's rules. You can only do this if you learn the Guru's basic rules:

Rule 1: Simran and Sewa: Simran is the reciting of Lord's name; read the Mool mantar; learn it; practise it in your life. Remember God; see Him/Her in everyone and everywhere. Study the Japji sahib step by step; learn one pauri or step each week; take your time learn the words; understand the words; understand the meaning; contemplate the words. Do sewa - volunteer free service in the community or for friends or relations; feel good about doing Simran and Sewa; accept it as part of God's way. Find holy Sikh sangat - Other wise Sikh people who follow the path of the Guru. Share Simran and Sewa with them and attend activities together as much as you can. Only keep their company if they take you towards the Guru - If they don't change the sangat until you find the right company.

Rule 2: Three pillars - Guru Nanak formalised three basic guidelines for Sikhs: Naam Japna (focus of God), Kirat Karni (honest living) and Vand Chakna (sharing with others). Read about these and follow them. Naam Japna and Simran are very similar; Listen to Kirtan; understand the words; do kirtan if you can; join in; say the words; understand the meaning; think about what the Guru is saying. See Kirtan websites to download kirtan or go to article - Listen to kirtan to listen, read and sing the Guru's words. Read about history of the Gurus to understand their ways and how their sacrifices are remembered even today.

Rule 3: Make life changes - Start subduing the five evils within. We all have these and we need to restrain them - kam (Lust); krodh (Rage or uncontrolled anger); lobh (Greed); moh (Attachment or emotional attachment) and ahankar (ego). Don't left them control you - You should control them. Also, embrace the Five virtues as ordained by the Gurus - Sat (Truth), Santokh (Contentment), Daya (Compassion), Nimrata (Humility) and Pyare (Love). Make concrete changes in your life and in your attitudes taking these guidelines into account.

Rule 4: Prepare to take Amrit: Start wearing some of the 5Ks, wear Bana, and start looking like a Sikh of the Guru. Only do this if you have the thought of the Guru in your heart. Otherwise the physical gear is just a waste.

Rule 5: Become a Khalsa - Contact a local Gurdwara or another Sikh and arrange to take Khanda-ke-pahul - Guru Gobind Singh's baptism vows.

Q. What are the origins of Sikhism?

A. Sikhism began with the birth of their founder Guru, Guru Nanak in 1469. However, it is generally accepts that Guru Nanak began his formal mission around 1499 A.D, in the northern part of ancient India in the place now called Panjab, which is now divided between Pakistan and India. It originated with the teachings of Guru Nanak who rejected the philosophies pursued by both the indigenous Hindus and Muslims.

Q. Why do Sikhs wear turbans?

A. Sikhs are required to have their hair uncut as ordained by their tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 as part of the Amrit Sanchar ceremony and the Creation of the Khalsa. It is for this reason, in order to keep the hair tidy and manageable, that the Sikh wear the Turban. Also, it is a tradition of Sikhs and others from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan to cover their head as a matter of respect for elders and spiritual elevated people. It would be a sign of disrespect if one was to enter a Gurdwara's Darbar Sahib with the head uncovered.

Q. Do Sikhs believe in Prayer?

Yes. Prayer is central to Sikhi. The ideals of the Sikh faith advise the devotee to rise early in the morning and meditate on God. Meditation is usually done while sitting comfortably, cross-legged, on the floor. Nitnem is a set of morning, evening, and bedtime prayers which are read or recited daily, while sitting or standing.

Sikhs normally do not say prayers while kneeling as Christians or Catholics do. A formal prayer of supplication, called ardas is very important to Sikhs and is usually offered while standing. Prayer and meditation focuses on praising God, and may take the form of singing, called Kirtan. Sikhs believe Ardas, prayer, kirtan and meditation to be essential in attaining desirable qualities and overcoming ego. Sikh scripture counsels that each breath is an opportunity for prayer.

Guru Arjan wrote: "Twenty-four hours a day, O Nanak, meditate on the Guru, the path to enlightenment." (SGGS p387)

Q. Who is the present religious leader of the Sikhs?

A. During the time of the ten human Gurus, the respective Gurus were the leaders of the Sikhs. Guru Nanak's (1469 - 1539) was followed by nine successors Angad, Amardas, Ramdas, Arjan, Hargobind, Harrai, Harkrishan, Tegh Bahadar and Gobind Singh (1539-1708) who developed and applied the teaching of the founder Guru to the concrete socio-political situations that existed during their time. From 1708 onwards the leader of the Sikhs is their perpetual Guru, Guru Granth Sahib. All guidance and instructions (Hukam) have to be received from the Guru Granth Sahib.

Q.In the Sikh religion what are the 5 ks?

The 5Ks or Kakkars are the 5 articles of faith that are worn by all practising Sikhs. These are:

Q. What is Langar?

Langar or Guru ka Langar is a word that stands for the practise of serving free food to the community. Guru Ka Langar when translated means, a community kitchen run in the name of the Guru by the Sangat. In Sikhism, the institution of langar started with the founder, Guru Nanak himself. Community kitchens came into existence with the sangats (holy congregations) of disciples which sprang up at many places in his time to gather and sing God's praise - kirtan. At these gatherings, it became common to serve food and many travelled from distant places.

Q. What is the significance of Guru ka Langar?

Guru ka Langar signifies the equality of all human beings. Anyone partaking Langar will sit in a pangat or "row" without any distinction of caste or status to eat a common meal prepared in the community kitchen.

Langar is entirely a community effort right from the beginning. The food stuff required is contributed by the Sangat or members of the congregation and the food is prepared and served by Sewadarss - who are volunteers and members of the congregation as well. During the period of the ten Gurus, the Gurus themselves contributed to and participated in this effort.

Guru Amar Das, the third Nanak, firmly established his open free kitchen concept as we see it today and regularly served food to visitors round the clock. The Guru made it obligatory for every visitor to have food in this langar before coming to his presence. The Emperor and the prince, the rich and the poor, the high caste and the low caste, all complied with this requirement. All the Gurus propagated this institution.

Considering that caste discrimination was wide spread in India during those times, in the hands of the Gurus, langar became a powerful means of social reform; one that gave practical expression to the notion of equality.

Q. What do Sikhs believe about God?

A. Some religions, like Christianity, believe in a trinity. Others, such as Hinduism, believe in a multitude of demi-gods. Buddhism teaches the belief in God is unimportant. Sikhism teaches the existence of one God. Guru Nanak taught that the creator and creation are inseparable in the way that an ocean is made up of its individual drops.

The fundamental belief of Sikhism is that God exists, not merely as an idea or concept, but as a Real Entity, indescribable yet knowable and perceivable to anyone who is prepare to dedicate the time and energy to become perceptive to His persona. The Gurus never spoke about proofs of the existence of God: For them He is too real and obvious to need any logical proof.

Guru Arjan, Nanak V, says, "God is beyond colour and form, yet His presence is clearly visible" (SGGS 74), and again, "Nanak's Lord transcends the world as well as the scriptures of the east and the west, and yet he is clearly manifest" (SGGS 397).

In any case, knowledge of the ultimate Reality is not a matter for reason; it comes by revelation of Himself through "nadir" or grace and by "anubhava" or mystical experience. Says Guru Nanak, "budhi pathi na paiai bahu chaturaiai bhai milai mani bhane" which translates to "He is not accessible through intellect, or through mere scholarship or cleverness at argument; He is met, when He pleases, through devotion" (SGGS 436).

Q. What do Sikhs believe about Creation?

Christianity teaches that God created Earth in seven days about 6,000 year ago. Guru Nanak wrote that God’s creation consisted of a multitude of universes, and that no one knew for certain how, or when, creation took place.

Guru Granth Sahib states that, “There are planets, solar systems and galaxies. If one speaks of them, there is no limit, no end. There are worlds upon worlds of His Creation. As He commands, so they exist. He watches over all, and contemplating the creation, He rejoices. Nanak says, to describe this is as hard as steel!” (SGGS p8)

The scriptures say that the universe consists of many different bodies including planets, solar systems galaxies, stars, suns, skies, etc and that the scale and extent of these bodies is unknown and that there is no end to their number. It is clear from this that probable size of the universe is beyond an exact evaluation or calculation by the human mind.

The holy text continues to state: "The limits of the created universe cannot be perceived. Its limits here and beyond cannot be perceived. Many struggle to know His limits, but His limits cannot be found. No one can know these limits. The more you say about them, the more there still remains to be said." (SGGS p5).

Q. Why do women sit separately?

In a Gurdwara, why do women sit on one side and men on the other? Isn't this discrimination? or at least segregation?

Sikhism is not a sexist religion nor does it discriminate against women. This is a matter of personal choice. It is just that when in a place of worship in a community environment, people prefer to sit with members of their own gender. It is not wrong for men to sit with the women in the Gurdwara, or vice versa - it is just uncommon in western nations, although in India in some places, there is no custom of sitting separately especially in villages, etc. When families visit Gurdwaras, they do generally sit together.

Q. Are women allowed to be 'priests'

In most religions, women are not allowed to be 'priests'; What is the position in Sikhism?

Sikhism sees both men and women as equals, so there is no restriction for women; women can perform all the duties that a man can, as far as religious responsibilities are concerned.

Q. Is the use of alcohol permitted in Sikhism?

No. Sikhism does not allow the use of alcohol or any other intoxicants for leisure use. "Those who are deluded by sensual pleasures, are tempted by sexual delights and enjoy wine are corrupt." (SGGS p335) and also, "Drinking wine, his intelligence departs, and madness enters his mind; he cannot distinguish between his own and others, and he is struck down by his Lord and Master." (SGGS p)

Q. What's in a Sikh name?

Every Sikh child is given a name after birth in a ceremony called Naam karan. Normally, the names are picked up in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The sacred scripture is opened at random and a name is picked starting with the first letter of the first word from the top left or the first letter of the Hukamnama. Sikh males bear the appellation of 'Singh' and females 'Kaur', after their first names. The word 'Singh' means lion, and 'Kaur' means princess/lioness.

All the Singhs and Kaurs may not in fact be Sikhs. The Rajputs and Gurkhas also use these names. This appellation helped the Sikhs to become a caste-less fraternity. It infused a martial spirit in the community.

In some parts of the world, Sikh males are called 'Sardar Ji' (Chief) and females are called 'Sardarni Ji'. This designation is attached to the front of the name. Some Sikhs may also put the village name from whence they came as a suffix.

Youngsters do not call parents or persons older than themselves by first name.

Q. Do Sikhs believe in fasting?

Fasts are not given any importance in Sikhism. Compulsory fasts for religious reasons or on certain days do not carry any weight with Sikhism. Fasts for the purpose of maintaining good health (dieting, etc.) can be observed. "I do not keep fasts, nor do I observe the month of Ramadaan. I serve only the One, who will protect me in the end. (1)" Guru Arjan Dev (SGGS p)

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