Sikh beliefs

Sikh beliefs

1. The nature of human life

   • "Truth is higher than living but higher still is truthful living" - GGS 62
   • 5 Virtues - truth, compassion & patience, contentment, humility & self control, love
   • Wisdom & courage are also important

2. Sewa

   • Selfless service-
     • Tan ~ physical service
     • Man ~ mental service
     • Dhan ~ donations
   • "in the midst of this world, do sewa, and you shall be given a place of honor in the court of Lord" ~ GGS 26

3. God as the creator

   • He is omnipotent & God is immanent and transcendent
   • When Guru Nanak pointed his feet towards a holy Muslim shrine in Mecca and said "kindly turn my feet in the direction where God is not"

4. Sangat

   • "The sat sangat, the true congregation of the true guru, is the school of the soul, where the glorious virtues of the lord are studied" ~ GGS 1316
   • Company/congregation of sikhs in the presence of the GGS
     • This develops religious understanding through sewa, meditation etc.

5. Life after death

   • Karma will determine how many rebirths a person will have
   • Reincarnation: the soul is reborn into another body until it is liberated and joins with God" ~GGS 88
   • "The body is the field of karma in this age: whatever you plant, you shall harvest" ~ GGS 78

6. The oneness of humanity

   • Sikhs believe that God created everyone and so everyone is equal
   • 5 Ks as symbols of equality and stand for those in need