Important values in Sikhi
Important values of Sikhi Originality and clarity of the Sikh faith was instrumental in promoting it from its inception in about 1499 and the voluntary adoption by the masses with eagerness and whole-heartedness.
Equality, non-discrimination, true justice, and worship of only One God, are basic values that are well-known and gave the world a simple and universal faith. Today, some 540 years after the birth of the founder of Sikhi, Guru Nanak, it has more than twenty two million followers, and is the fifth largest faith in the world. Sikhi is respected world over and is truly a religion of peace. The Sikhs have only fought wars to defend itself or other but have never known to fight as aggressors.
For the Gurus promoted all human beings as one and the same, and they were all above discrimination. The Gurus showed real love for all of humanity. [[Muslim]s were equally dear to them as Hindus, or any others. It is well known that Bhai Mardana a Muslim, spent his whole adult life with Guru Nanak, accompanying him with a Rabab as his musician and companion everywhere that the Guru went.
The foundation of Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar - the premier Sikh shrine, was laid by a Muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir. Guru Arjun Dev incorporated in Guru Granth Sahib - the Sikh Holy Book, hymns of God-oriented saints - Hindus as well as Muslims. Hymns of any saint that found a place in this Holy Book, are honoured like those of the Gurus, and everyone bows equally to all of them.
The Sikh faith is the faith of preaching; of dialogue; and not of conversions; it is a truly interfaith approach to universal brotherhood of humanity undertaken when the word 'interfaith' did not exist.
Core values
- 1. One God of all the Universe - 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 perceiveable 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.
- 2. Gender equality - From about 1499, woman has always been regarded as equal with man and has all the rights and privileges enjoyed by a man. She is considered to have the same soul as man and has equal right to grow spiritually. The Sikh woman is allowed to lead religious congregations, to take part in Akhand Path (the continuous recitation of the Holy Scriptures), to perform Kirtan, to work as Granthi (priest) or a preacher and to participate freely in all religious, cultural, social, political and secular activities.
- 3. Race equality - The Sikh Gurus have emphasised the concept of the equality of mankind in the sacred verses found in the Sikh holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Nanak says in Japji Sahib: "Accept all humans as your equals, and let them be your only sect" (Japji 28), and Guru Gobind Singh tell the world: "manas ki jat sabhe eke paihcanbo - recognise all of mankind as a single caste of humanity". Therefore, Sikhs believe that all human beings are equal. “We are all sons and daughters of Waheguru, the Almighty Lord” is the message promoted by the Sikh Gurus.
- 5. Right to defend -
- 9. Don't use force -
- 10. [[]]
