Series - 3 Understanding Sikhism

Author:  Dr Kanwaljit kaur Singh

decision and are able to take on their responsibilities.
Those taking amrit should have the five Ks:

• Kesh – uncut hair
• Kangha – comb
• Kach – shorts
• Kara – steel bracelet
• Kirpan – sword.
At the start of the ceremony, one of the five piaras explains the main rules and obligations of the individual within the Khalsa Panth: ‘From now on your existence as an ordinary individual has ceased, and you are a member of the Khalsa. You are to pray to God and God alone, through the scriptures and teachings of the ten Gurus. You must keep the five Ks and are forbidden to:

• smoke tobacco or take drugs
• eat meat killed by ritual slaughter (i.e. according to Muslim or Jewish rites)
• commit adultery
• cut your hair.’
Anyone who contravenes any of these rules has broken their amrit vows and must take amrit again, after a suitable penance if the contravention has been deliberate. Members of the Khalsa must be always ready to work for the community and should donate one tenth of their income for the furtherance of religious or social work. The newly initiated Sikhs are told not to associate with the followers of those breakaway groups from Sikhism,

• who actively oppose Sikhism
• who practice infanticide
• who take alcohol, tobacco or drugs
• who perform any rite or ceremony contrary to Sikhism.
Only a centrally elected body of Sikhs can take decisions on religious questions concerning the teachings and writings of the ten Gurus and the amrit ceremony.
Other questions relating to the social and political aspects of the Sikh religion may be decided locally.
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SIKH FAITH

SIKH PRACTICES

Basic Facts
Series - 3

BEING A SIKH
A Sikh is any person who believes in one God, the Ten Gurus, and the Guru Granth Sahib. S/he must believe in the necessity and importance of ‘amrit’ started by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru and has no other religion. Sikhism is concerned with a person’s life as an individual and with the corporate life as a member of the Sikh Community.
Individual life
Sikhs are to remember the three golden rules. They are:
• Nam Japna- to remember God;
• Kirat karni- to earn ones' living by honest means and hard work;
• Vand Chhakna- to share with others who are less fortunate.
Nam Japna, is meditation on the qualities of God as described in the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs are to read appropriate scriptures in the morning, evening and late evening before going to bed.
Reading of these is not a mechanical repetition of saying the hymns (shabads), it is also necessary to understand the meaning, and then to act upon what they teach. Sikhism teaches that prayer should go side by side with working life. Sikhs to live a good life must also constantly work to improve society. As Guru Nanak taught, ‘There can be no worship without performing good deeds’.
Kirat Karni is to work hard to earn one's own living. A Sikh is to lead the life of a family person, with all the responsibilities it entails, and while earning the daily living should meditate on God's name for personal uplift. It is in relations with others that God is found. Sikhs should work hard to earn a living by honest means to pay for basic needs such as food, clothing and housing. Sikhs must not beg or be parasites or exploit others to become rich.
Vand Chhakna is to share one's earnings and serve others. The other aspect of this is ‘sewa’ meaning serving others. Sewa is to help everyone whatever their colour, creed or gender. Sewa may mean giving money, time, or using one’s expertise. Sikhs are reminded of Bhai Kanya’s story as an example of service.
During a battle between the Mughal Emperor's forces and Sikhs, Kanhaya was providing drinking water to the wounded. Some Sikh soldiers complained that he was giving water to the enemy's soldiers. He was charged for helping the enemy and brought before the Guru. But he explained to the Guru, ‘I do not see a friend or a foe, but only human beings’. The Guru was pleased with the answer and blessed him for his true Sikh spirit of service.
Corporate Life
Service to society is perhaps the most important aspect of Sikhism and Sikhism recognizes that effective service is best done by collective or organized effort. Every Sikh is required to be an active member of Panth (Sikh Community). S/he should take amrit (Sikh initiation) and retain the five K’s.
The amrit ceremony may take place at any time of the year, but Vaisakhi is the day when most Sikhs like to take amrit, as that was the day when Guru Gobind Singh introduced the amrit ceremony in 1699 CE. Any man or woman of any nationality, race or social standing, who is prepared to accept the rules governing the Sikh community, has the right to receive amrit. No minimum age is stipulated, but those receiving amrit should have attained maturity, so that they can make their own independent