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TOP 10 QUESTIONS

ABOUT SIKHI
The 5th largest world religion

SAFE (Sikhi Awareness For Everyone)


Cover image donated by
CONTENTS malcchapman.com
2012 Malc Chapman

1. Who is the Sikh God?


2. What is the point of Life?
3. Why Guru?
4. Values and Religious freedom?
5. Women and Sikhi?
6. Science, Creation and Reincarnation?
7. What is the global mission of Sikhi?
8. Animals and the Environment?
9. Where do Sikhs pray?
10. Why turbans and beards?

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
= The number one (1) in Punjabi. Refers to 1 Supreme Being
Sikhi = Sikh term for Sikhism
Gurbani = Divine revelation, written by the Gurus
Karam = Karma; earned by our thoughts, words and actions
Kaur = Prince; collective royal surname given to all Sikh females
Khalsa = The collective body of initiated Sikhs
Kirpa = Grace; earned through walking Gurus path to God
Langar = Free global open kitchen operated by Sikhs
Naam = s name; the experience of connecting to
Singh = Lion/Tiger; collective royal surname given to all Sikh males

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1. WHO IS THE SIKH GOD?
The only Eternal Reality is the Creator, but we do not impose
Supreme Being who Creates, on others nor believe in eternal
Sustains and Destroys. The hell. Like Buddhists, we meditate,
expanded into the world and its remain mindful and aim for a
light permeates everything. It is blissful consciousness (nirvana),
Infinite Bliss, Pure Love, Without but we do worship the Immortal
Hate or Fear, Compassionate, Creator and do not believe in
All Knowing, Eternal, and Ever- monastic living. Like Hindus we
Forgiving. We can experience the . accept re-incarnation but dont
accept the caste system or idol
There is no religion and God
worship. Sikhs connect to all
has no chosen people. We are
paths yet remain distinct and
human race (all equal), some of
follow only the teachings of our
whom are connected to this and
10 Gurus.
others who have yet to realise their
Divine potential. The Gurus path is one of earning
grace and achieving Oneness
Sikhi is a revealed path of
with the Divine .
Enlightenment, as taught by
Ten Gurus from 1469 1708.
Like scientific truths exist in all
languages, so does the Truth of FORCE VAHIGURU

Sikhi also exist in other faiths.


We respect all people and their LORD ALL POWERFUL BLISS
religious freedom. Since most KHUDA DIVINE
people know very little about FORGIVER BELOVED
Sikhi, here is some context:
Like Christians we sing Gods ALLAH
HARI RAM
NIRVANA

praises and love our Gurus, but


we do not believe salvation is FATHER MOTHER

only for Sikhs or there is a devil.


Like Muslims we submit to the LIGHT OF LIGHTS

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2. WHAT IS THE POINT OF LIFE?
The Supreme Being is our real divine songs written by the Gurus Just lik
soul mate. Although we search for themselves and serving selflessly, ocean
happiness in worldly things, deep we attune ourselves to the disapp
within, our Soul seeks union with Immaculate . This is the process of Saints
the . The is inside us and purifying our Soul so it too shines merge
accessible to all of us. with the light of its True Divine sprea
Origin. Gurus
At the top of our head, there is
. The
an energy centre that allows us to Calling the (Naam) is the most
revela
experience the Infinite and Divine . powerful way to manifest the
awake
When we connect to the , we cry within us. Naam is both the journey
Sikhi
tears of joy, our body tingles and and the destination. Celibacy or
Gods
divine bliss floods our mind. asceticism is not required; being a
Anyon
positive member of society is just
Love is the fastest and surest way a Sikh
the first step towards spirituality.
to get to the Supreme . Once this kirpa
Like a bird needs two wings to
fire is kindled within us, we feed it
fly home, we need both Morality The G
with spirituality and good actions.
(Miri) and Spirituality (Piri). show
Chanting Gods name, singing
moral
mergi
of wa

MORALITY

SPIRITUALITY

MIRI PIRI

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3. WHY GURU?
Gurus Just like a wave rising up from the remains as ocean water, so does
flessly, ocean is powerful and distinct, then our Soul remain the same as the
the disappears within the ocean, so do . We are inside ; its all around
cess of Saints appear in the world. Already and inside us. Our ego is what
shines merged with the , they come to separates us from . Guru has the
Divine spread the light to others. Our power to remove this ego but the
Gurus are the mirrors of the Divine Sikh must surrender the ego first.
. They shine with Truth, speaking A Sikh falls in love with Guru and
most
revelation, and have the power to surrenders the ego (love in Sikhi
the
awaken us to our divine potential. is unconditional). Walking the
ourney
Sikhi is about submitting to both Gurus path, a Sikh earns Gurus
acy or
Gods will and Gurus teachings. grace and merges with God.
eing a
Anyone of any background can be
is just There was an unbroken line of 10
a Sikh (disciple) and earn Gurus
uality. human Gurus from 1469 to 1708.
kirpa (grace).
ngs to All the Gurus are seen as the
orality The Gurus were sent by the to same light (reflecting the ). In
show the world this spiritual and 1708, Eternal Guruship was
moral path. They are the key to bestowed upon Guru Granth
merging with the . Just like a glass Sahib Ji (Scripture) and Guru
of water taken from the ocean, Khalsa Panth (collective of
initiated Sikhs).

WATER = SOUL
GLASS = EGO

WAVE = GURU
OCEAN =

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4. VALUES AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM?
Union with the involves going anger, greed, attachment, pride,
inwards. The Soul within us is the slander, jealousy, discrimination,
light of God and has no colour, ungratefulness) and embracing
religion, sex or nationality. positivity (spiritual realisation,
Religious labels do not guarantee detachment, contentment, com-
spiritual progress. Religion itself is passion, righteousness, equality,
not real, only God is real. The is forgiveness, humility, thankfulness,
not exclusive, but inclusive. courage and love).
Make humanity your family. The source of justice and
Disregard distinctions of race, righteousness is compassion.
religion, success, gender and Empathise with those less
education. All these labels are fortunate and open your heart.
irrelevant to the . See only the Compassion brings with it a
s light in all Creation; treat all equally. desire to not exploit others but to
serve them selflessly.
Spiritual progress comes from
moving away from negativity (lust, The Gurus valued freedom of
religion and Sikhs do not convert
or slander other faiths. Anyone
can choose to follow Guru or not,
Path of the Saints without fear of punishment.

_ Lust
Anger
Greed
Attachment
Pride
Humility

Truth
Contentment
Compassion
Righteousness
+ Forgiveness

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5. WOMEN AND SIKHI?
The has no gender and neither are not property, neither are
does our soul. In fact, all of us slaves or concubines permitted.
(men and women) are described as Women are not polluted by
brides to the , our true Soul Partner. menstruation, rather womens
power to give birth is honoured
The Gurus taught that women and
as the source of all humankind,
men are equal. Women and men
kings and prophets included. In
pray together and sit equally. Women
fact, Guru explicitly describes
can work, lead congregations and
the as our Mother too.
preach. The first Sikh was a woman
and the Gurus themselves appointed After voluntarily joining the
women preachers to spread Sikhi. Khalsa collective, a Kaur is armed
Sikhs have even had women soldiers and empowered as part of Gurus
and generals. body. Also, Kaurs are freed from
the need to cut hair or shave to
Interestingly, as Sikh first names
conform to modern ideals of
are related to the Souls purpose,
women having the body hair of a
they are not gender specific. Thus,
pre-pubescent girl.
Sikhs have a surname of either
Singh for men or Kaur for women.
Both of these are royal surnames.
Kaurs remain Kaurs their whole life,
regardless of marriage.
Unlike many other religions, Sikhi
teaches that women are not sinful
nor require a veil; its mens eyes
that need controlling. Women

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6. SCIENCE, CREATION AND REINCARNATION? 7. W
The very first word in our Scripture head. This experience is pure Sikhi
is IkOangKaar, which describes bliss and power. centre
the Big Bang and the origin of the righte
We dont believe in the Apocalypse
Universe. From Singularity (Ik = ) freedo
or Judgement Day. Just like the
there came a Sound (Oang) that others
universe goes through cycles of
expanded into Creation (Kaar). princi
creation and destruction, so do
Guru explicitly describes creation we re-incarnate millions of times Guru
as multi-dimensional and infinitely through every species on Earth. everyo
vast, with countless galaxies and Our current life situation is not huma
planets. This includes planets with from chance; rather its all part of medic
other beings that are also trying to our Karma. Our souls purpose is from
connect to the . Gurbani dismisses to connect to the , something only this m
limitations like 7 heavens, 7 hells possible for humans. Therefore, was c
or a flat Earth. It explains the Big human life is a priceless opportunity to a
Crunch (opposite of the Big Bang), to experience Naam. Without the Soldie
and states that this cycle of creation/ glory of Gods Name, we cannot defen
destruction has occurred many times be liberated. Blessed are those who work
before (cyclical theory). Guru states chant Gods Name.
To thi
that Air was the first created thing
all G
(Hydrogen) and from Air came
Water (H2O) and from water came
all Life. When scientists look for life
on other planets, the first thing they
look for is a sign of water.
Guru states that Gods Name
(manifestation of the Intangible )
is supporting all creation (like the
God Particle). We can connect
to this Divine Force inside us
through our Tenth Gate, an
energy centre at the top of our

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7. WHAT IS THE GLOBAL MISSION OF SIKHI?
pure Sikhi aims to bring about a world of people regardless of their
centred on Dharam (justice and background and there are many
righteousness), where people have Sikh hospitals, orphanages and
alypse
freedom of belief. Compassion for schools throughout the world.
ke the
others should be the main guiding
les of In our short history, Sikhs already
principle of society.
so do de-stabilised the Mughal regime,
times Guru has ordered Sikhs to ensure saved Hinduism from extinction and
Earth. everyone has access to basic saved scores of women from being
is not human needs like food, shelter, sold into slavery in Afghanistan.
part of medicine, education and freedom Sikhs also fought against the Nazis
ose is from oppression. In order to fulfil in WW2 and were instrumental in
g only this mission, the Guru Khalsa Indias independence.
refore, was created. The Khalsa aspire
Sikhs dont aim to convert others
rtunity to a spiritually awakened Saintly
nor impose Sikh law on everyone.
ut the Soldier ideal to serve others,
Although Guru is the straight
cannot defend them from injustice and
path to realisation, people
e who work to destroy oppression.
of other faiths (and none) can
To this day, the free Langar in be inspired by Gurus wisdom
all Gurdwaras has fed billions without converting.

PROTECTION SERVICE

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8. Animals and the Environment?
The energy of pervades all life The 1st Gurus writings describe
and we are connected through the the Earth as the Great Mother and
re-incarnation cycle. Compassion one that has all the resources that
towards animals is the duty of every we need. In Western Economic
human, as weve been blessed with theory, the basic problem is
the greatest potential of all earthly unlimited wants and limited
beings. The 7th Guru, Guru Har Rai resources. Gurus solution is to
Sahib Ji, set up an animal shelter limit our wants and share the
for injured and orphaned animals resources. Sikhs are encouraged
and was renowned as an expert in to live honest lives and share with
herbal medicine. He even shed a others whilst avoiding greed, pride
tear when his robe broke a flower. and attachment. We earn karma
Guru discourages exploitation and through our actions and should
mistreatment of animals, which is limit environmental damage, e.g.
why many Sikhs are vegetarian. by recycling and using renewable
energy. If humans focus inwards,
meditate and live simpler lives,
there is more than enough for all
life to prosper on Earth.
Sikhi is not just about limiting
our negative impact, its also
about taking positive action
to alleviate poverty and end
exploitation. The free food in
Gurdwaras and the Khalsa
sword is part of this.

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9. WHERE DO SIKHS PRAY?
Gurdwara, meaning the Gurus In the Langar (dining
Door, is our place of worship hall), free food is
and training ground to learn constantly served and
Gurus outlook on life. Gurdwaras available to anyone of any
are open to all, regardless background. Everyone sits
of faith, race or gender. equally and eats the same
Its two intrinsic parts are the food putting equality into
prayer hall and the dining hall. practice. Volunteers
prepare the food and
In the Darbar (prayer hall), Sikhs
anyone is able to serve
bow to the Eternal Guru, Sri Guru
and experience the joys of
Granth Sahib (SGGS); poetic
selfless service (seva).
scripture composed and compiled
Around 100,000 people
by the Gurus themselves. Men and
eat Langar everyday at
women sit communally and at an
the Golden Temple in
equal level to read or sing divine
Amritsar alone. Guru
hymns of love from Gurbani.
taught to apply
Musicians sitting at the front on a
seva in the wider
stage usually lead singing. Music
world and one
is the language of the soul. Guru
of the biggest
taught that singing the praises of
food banks
is the highest action. The Gurus
in Toronto
were amazing musicians and
is run by
in fact arranged the SGGS into
Sikhs.
sections by music. Sikhi has no
priests; any Sikh (male or female)
can lead the congregation in
reading or singing Gurbani.

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10. WHY TURBANS AND BEARDS?
In 1675, the 9th Guru sacrificed his life for the principle of religious
freedom. Many Sikhs that were present in Delhi when he was martyred
denied that they were Sikhs. Their physical fear of death had made them
forget their spiritual commitment to live without fear. His successor and
son, the 10th Guru, vowed he would give the Sikhs a unique identity so
they would stay faithful. In 1699 he tested his Sikhs to see who would
follow his path even if it meant death.
The collective of committed Sikhs who passed the test were
given the status of Guru Khalsa, the Gurus own body. All
Khalsa (men and women) are ordered to stand out. The
turban and uncut hair are part of this distinct appearance.
The Khalsa is armed and ever ready to defend others from
injustice and oppression. Khalsa members have a daily
spiritual discipline of Naam and are forbidden any
intoxicants or sex outside of marriage.
The Khalsa collective is the Eternal physical
embodiment of the Guru and Sri Guru Granth
Sahib Ji is the Eternal spiritual embodiment.

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