Sikhism . An Introduction

A simplified, brief (and by no means complete) overview of Sikhism

excerpts from Gurpreet Kaur (US), Harjinder Singh (UK) and Sundeep Singh (Australia)

Who will be Graced or Saved in the end?

Only God knows the specifics of Gods justice. No one except God knows who will or will not be graced by God's glory. However, a person who remembers God, the name = NAAM, will be graced. That is a promise to the entire existence, reiterated over and over in the Guru Granth Sahib. We have to believe and remember our savior. The word of the Guru is applicable to all beings, regardless of race, color, gender, caste, social attributes, physical or mental handicap, religious affiliation or lack thereof, Khalsa or non-khalsa. By the virtue of being God's creation, we all enjoy the benefits of NAAM...constant remembrance of the creator. Here are a few quotes from the Guru Granth Sahib.

O' Nanak, the Gurmukh meditates on the Naam, and finds the gate of salvation. ||4|| Page 443, Line 13

O' Nanak, meditate on the Naam, deep within yourself, day and night. You shall find the Door of Salvation. ||1|| Page 1248, Line 4

O' Nanak, the Gurmukh meditates on the Naam, and is united with the True Lord. ||4||13||46|| Page 31, Line 14

By God's Grace, we meditate on the Naam, the Name of the Lord. Without God's Mercy, it cannot be obtained. Page 35, Line 10

Through the Shabad, meditate on the Naam; through the Shabad, you shall merge in Truth. ||4|| Page 67, Line 1

Gender Equality

Under the universal principles of Sikhism, the Guru's advocated religious tolerance and the equality of women among other principles of humanity. "In 1699, Sikh Women were given the last name 'Kaur' and and Men 'Singh' by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. This initiate intended to end the caste system, social stratification and much of the apparatus of Hindu ritual and legalism. In Indian society, an individual's name reveals his or her caste, and Sikhs were freed from the caste system by having all men incorporate Singh in their names and all women, Kaur. Based on the premises of gender equality, Kaur was given to Sikh Women to establish an identity independent of their father or husband. " Significance and Importance of the name 'Kaur'

Liberation (Mukhti)

Only way to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death is by being God-conscious (Gurmukh). Though Sikhism affirms Karma, it recognizes the possibility of the modification of one's Karma with the grace of the Guru or God. Attachment to material objects is the primary cause of rebirth on the basis of past karma (action). Through devout worship and service, a person would accumulate good karma. Eventually, one would be released from the cycle of birth and become one with God. Guru Nanak delivered a message of peace and urged his followers not to worship idols or practice severe asceticism, which he believed only distract from one's faith.

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