Sikhism is one of the youngest faiths in the world. It was founded by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru, in the 16th century. He had nine successors, also called Sikh Gurus, who not only preached the message of Sikhism far and wide but also demonstrated a Sikh way of life by implementing its principles in their own lifestyle. The same divine light pervaded in all Gurus. The successive Gurus developed, consolidated, and further propagated the Sikh teachings without deviating from or altering the fundamental principles. The message they preached is divinely revealed and called Gurbani, currently contained in the Holy Scripture named Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which was declared the final and the last Guru in 1708.
The Sikh religion is revelatory religion. It is strictly monotheistic faith with firm beliefs in the fatherhood of God, Vaheguru, and brotherhood of humanity. One God, Vaheguru, is the creator, destroyer, and sustainer of the creation. God is the Supreme Being, full of attributes, without hatred and enmity, self-existing, never-ending, infinite, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent reality. He has no partner. He alone is the doer under whose Hukm (command, rules, and laws) everything operates. He is an active and caring God. He is the only one worthy of worship and veneration. He treats everyone equally and loves all. Sikh view of salvation is unity with God and the only way to achieve salvation is through the teachings of the Gurus.
Remembrance of God, accepting God’s Will, meditation, selfless-service of humanity, living a householder life, sharing the wealth and food with everyone, treating everyone equally, seeing God’s light within all, sacrifice for truth and righteousness and upholding justice are some of its fundamental principles. An ideal Sikh, Gurmukh (man and woman), is instructed to lead a married life and remain active in its all spheres i.e., social, religious, and political. Life of a Sikh is based upon three fundamental principles: Kirat Karni (earning honest labor), Naam Japna (contemplative meditation upon God’s name), and Vand Shakna (sharing of material possessions). He is to serve entire humanity without any hatred, biased, discrimination, or perseverance. Sikhs are instructed to remain free from caste, discrimination, prejudice, empty rituals, and inequality.
Sikhism has its own code of conduct, holy scripture, ceremonies, articles of faith, flag, place of worship, and its own independent philosophy on all matters concerning religious and political lifestyle. Therefore, it is not a sect, reform movement, or in any way part of any religion like Hinduism or Islam. The Sikh religion is a unique, independent, and distinct religion. It is a complete way of life. This site is dedicated to educating Sikhs as well as non-Sikhs about the Sikh religion.
