Sikhism Beliefs

Sikhism Beliefs

1. Nature Of God

   • There is only one god 'Ik Onkar'
     • Karta Purakh: He is the Creator
     • Akaal Moorat: Immortal, without form
   • Satnam: Eternal Truth is His name
     • Nir Vair: He is without hate
       • Gur Prasad: He can be reached through the mercy and grace of the true guru.
         • God can be experienced when he reveals himself to Sikhs, he has no limits
           • He is Immanent: in everything, Transcedent: beyond everything
         • Sikhs believe that God is: Beyond human description, has no gender
         • Human words cannot describe the greatness of God
   • Nirhau: He is without fear
     • Ajooni: Beyond birth and death
       • Saibhang: He is the enlighter, self-existent

2. God as Creator

   • God is the creator of the world
   • He is Omnipotent
   • God is present and beyond his creation
   • Guru Granth Sahib 12: 'You yourself are the Creator'
     • Mool Mantar: 'Karta Purakh' He is the creator
       • When Guru Nanak pointed his feet towards a holy Muslim shrine in Mecca he said, 'Kindly turn my feet in the direction where god is not.

3. Purpose Of Life

   • The Gurmukhs are celebrated in life and death (Guru Granth Sahib 125)
     • They are mad to become 1 with God
     • The gurus taught people that they are made to serve others
   • The purpose is to earn good karma and break the cycle of rebirth to join with God
   • Gurmukh: God-centred
     • Manmukh: Man-centred
       • Haumai: Too much pride/ego
   • A person should meditate on the name of God and rid themselves of world attachment, greed etc.
     • They feel spiritually purified when they devote time to meditating
     • Sikhs feel that life has many purposes due to many reasons

4. Sewa

   • Selfless service
   • Man (mental service e.g. teaching), Tan (Physical Service e.g. Cleaning), Dhan (Donations e.g. Money)
     • 'In the midst of the this world, do sewa, and you shall be given a place of honour in the court of the lord' (Guru Granth Sahib 26)