The Mool Mantar

A Brief introduction...

A Brief Introduction || Basic Teachings || Sikh Symbols And Order of the Khalsa
The Sikh Worship Service || Sikhs in India and North America

Sikhism is the youngest of the world religions. Barely 500 years old, it was founded in India by Guru Nanak (1469-1539 A.D.), nurtured by eight Prophets who followed and finally reinforced by the Tenth Prophet, Guru Gobind Singh (1675-1708 A.D.), to cope with changing times by instilling martial spirit to the dying morale of an oppressed society.

After him the ministry of Guruship was passed on to the holy scripture, the Adi Granth, which enshrines the inspired writings of the Sikh Gurus and also of some holy men of Hinduism and Islam without any distinction as to religion, caste or creed. Some people have a misconception that Sikhism is an off-shoot of Hinduism or that it is a Hindu sect, but actually Sikhism is a distinctly separate religion. The basis of the teachings of Sikh prophets is the belief in absolute oneness of God and universal good-will and compassion.

The Sikh religion gives women an equal place, rejects the caste system and meaningless rituals and emphasizes service to humanity. It also lays down a code of conduct and discipline for its followers. The dominant teaching of the Sikh religion is the practice of Truth. "Truth is the highest virtue but higher still is truthful living," says Guru Nanak in the scriptures. Strictly monotheistic, Sikhism believes in one God, rejects "escape from society," i.e., to live as a hermit. Sikhism approves leading a household life and expects a Sikh to grapple with the problems of the society and life, accepting pleasure, sorrow and pain with equanimity.

Basic Teachings

The Sikh teachings guide a human being in both worldly and spiritual fields. No one needs to give up worldly life for spiritual advancement. A life of honesty, earning a livelihood through hard work and sincerely practicing the institution of family are taught. In essence the teachings consist of (the three golden rules)

Finally, SEVA - selfless deeds of service to other fellow beings without seeking a reward.

In the Sikh religion, special emphasis is placed on resistance to tyranny, which is not to be tolerated against anyone. Sikhs are to respect other faiths and people professing them. In pursuing a path of spiritual advancement, a Sikh is to avoid the five evils:

Sikh Symbols and Order of the Khalsa

Guru Gobind Singh baptized the first five Sikhs on Baisakhi of 1699. They, in turn, baptized the Guru. Thus the institution of the Khalsa was ordained. The baptized Sikhs take a solemn pledge, "the sword will never be used as an offensive weapon under any circumstances." However the guru commanded the members of the KHALSA PANTH - the Sikh nation - to fight aggression no matter which direction it may come from, to protect the weak, the oppressed and the disadvantaged. Two hundred eighty-nine years of history will testify to the fact that the Sikhs have steadfastly stood for equality, justice, and peace. The Sikhs have religiously carried their sacred traditions, in their adopted homeland - The U.S.A.- for over a hundred years.

To be a member of the Khalsa Panth, a Sikh wears five symbols - The Five "K's":

. A Sikh is easily recognized by his uncut beard, uncut hair and a turban. Members of the Khalsa Panth are forbidden from committing adultery. All women regardless of their faith are to be considered a mother, sister, or a daughter and protected as such. Likewise, to women, all men are to be considered as father, brother, or son. Also the Sikhs are forbidden from using intoxicants, including tobacco and alcohol. Guru Gobind Singh, before he passed away in 1708, infused his Spirit into the Guru Granth Sahib and the Khalsa Panth. After this event, the Guru shall be the Khalsa Panth in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh's philosophy to resist tyranny has been summed up in the couplet he wrote in a letter in Persian to the then Emperor of India, Aurengzeb. The Guru said "When all other means have failed, it is righteous to draw the sword."

The history of the Sikhs shows how they have been repeatedly uprooted from their native soil. In spite of this, the religion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji has flourished over the last 500 years.

The Sikh Worship Service

Like a church, a Gurudwara is a place of worship in Sikhism. It is also a focal point for the Sikh congregation (known as Sangat). People of all faiths are welcome at a Sikh temple. A free community kitchen is always a part of the Gurudwara and in known as "Guru Ka Langar."

The Sikhs in India and North America

There are about twenty million Sikhs in the world. The majority of them live in the Punjab (the Sikh Homeland) in northern India. In Punjab they form a majority of over 60%. Overall, Sikhs are less than 2% of India's population, but contributing to the wealth of the country in much greater proportion. They are over 15% of the India's Armed Forces. The state of Punjab enjoys the highest per capita income in the country. It contributes more than 70% of the food of India's breadbasket. Sikhs are settled in almost all countries of the world. Their numbers are significant in the U.K., Canada, and U.S.A.

Sikhs started coming to California in the 1890's. Sikh workers helped build the Panama Canal. Sikh farms and agricultural businesses have dominated the California landscape for almost 100 years. They opened the first temple in the United States in 1911 in Stockton, California. Almost 250,000 Sikhs live in the U.S. now, about 100,000 are on the east coast. They are an important part of the rich diversity of this great nation and are found in every profession. The Sikh community of the tri-state area can boast several Gurudwaras.