Sikhism . An introduction . Who is a Sikh?

Who is a Sikh?

Any person irrespective of caste, creed, race, colour, status, sex, place of birth and nationality who:

Worships only the one God.
Takes advice and guidance from the lives and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus and Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Takes the Amrit from the Five-Beloved ones,(the Panj Piaras) as ordained by Guru Gobind Singh.
Does not believe in any other religion.

What does a Sikh Believe in?

The omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence and formlessness of one God
A monotheistic religion = belief in one God for all
God is both Saguna (with attributes) and Nirguna (without attributes), and is called by names such as Sat (truth), Sat Guru (true Guru), Akal Purkh (timeless being), kartar (creator) and Wahi-Guru (praise to the God).
Is not an ethnic religion and anyone can join its fold = Equality for all, a democratic religion. Sikhism is universal in its appeal. We welcome all men and women alike, irrespective of caste, creed, sex, race, color, religion or nationality. The doors of the Sikh Gurudwara are wide open for everybody in this world without prejudice or social discrimination.
A Sikh is a disciple, a seeker of truth = Opposed to all ritualism and formalism
Belief in ten Gurus - spiritual guide who dispels ignorance and darkness = Blind obedience to an external authority is discouraged.
God is creator of the universe and its existence and continued survival depends on the hukum (God's will) = Does not enjoin blind faith.
Monistic or Non-dual, ultimate reality is unity of all existence = No supernaturalism, mythology, devils, angels, heavenly spirits,
Sikh is immersed in God. Is assimilated, identified with God. It is the fulfillment of individuality in which human beings, freed of all limitation become co-extensive and co-operant and co-present with God = It does not lead to despair and defeat.
Guru Gobind Singh (last living Guru) organized Sikh tradition of Khalsa (pure one). Male members traditionally wear 5 "k"s, uncut hair and beard (kesh), comb (kanga), traditional shorts (kacha), wrist ring (kada), sword (kirpan).
Does not believe in incarnation of God in human form
Disapproves asceticism and self mortification as path to enlightenment = Simplicity is it's virtue, Sikhism does not consist in a certain set of beliefs or mere words, rejects all rites, rituals, and fasts.
Faith does not start with surmises or absurdities = Sikhism is free from any claims and dogmas. To attain salvation, Sikhism . It does not believe in worship of gods and goddesses, stones, statues, idols, pictures, tombs or crematoriums. Devotees are supposed to desist from working miracles, utering blessings and curses, and believing in omens. They wear God's name as a necklace and try to practice Nam (remembrance of God's name), Dan (charity) and Ishnan (purity), truthfulness and openness, self-restraint in temper, labour for the purpose of mutual benefit, profitable and edifying speech, humility and forbearance.

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