1. An assignment
On
Sikhism and their implication on social
welfare and spiritual welfare
: Submitted to:
Prof. Pooja Mam
: Submitted By:
Patel Dharmaja
MBA 4thSemester
E.No : 04

2. What is Sikhism?
WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa, WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh.
Sikhism is barely 500 hundreds years old but with over 20 million Sikhs around the world, is the
fifth largest world religion. Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji (left), the first Guru in
the 15th century in the Punjab (the land of 5 rivers). Following partition in 1947, Punjab is now
divided between Pakistan and the northern Indian state of Punjab.
The word Guru is composed of Gu meaning darkness and Ru meaning Light. In Sikhism
therefore 'Guru' is the "Light that dispels all darkness" and Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the
Embodiment of Divine Light.
Sikhism is based on compassion; service; equality between males, females and all religions and
encourages an honest, truthful living with a rejection of idol worship, the caste system, ritualism
and superstitions. In Sikhism, heaven and hell are states of mind represented by joy and sorrow,
bliss and agony or light and darkness.
Sikhism is a distinct religion and shouldn't be viewed as linked to either Islam or Hinduism.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji said "I am neither a Hindu nor a Muslim, I am a human being".
Guru Nanak Dev Ji spread a simple message of Ek Onkar, we are all one, created by the one
Creator of all Creation. He said that there is one God and the name of God is Sat Nam (truth). To
show it's importance, Ek Onkar is the first line at the head of all gurbani and forms the first line
of the Mool Mantar which begins the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Sikhism is a monotheistic faith. Sikhism recognizes God as One and highest of all, who is not
subject to time, form, space, birth or death. Sikhism states that you do not have to fast, perform
rituals or go to pilgrimages in order to be one with God, all you have to do is have love towards
God and live an honest life. Sikhism promotes equality between all man and woman. Sikhs are
the members of Sikh religion.
Sikhism is one of the world’s simplest faiths, yet very strong discipline. The results produced by
Sikhism have been very powerful. Sikhism helps one to devote his/her life to God and attain
salvation by living a lifestyle that keeps one focused in life. Sikhism lifestyle includes getting rid
of lust, anger, greed, emotional attachment and ego and living a moral, honest and peaceful
life while sharing with others and helping the ones in need. In order to be one with God, we have
to purify ourselves and become like Him, Sikhs lifestyle helps one to be like and be one with
God.
Sikhs are known as follower of Sikh Gurus and members of the Sikh religion. Literally
translated, Sikh means disciple or student. In the Sikh faith, the word Sikh means someone who
strives to learn about God, is a seeker of God and truth, and someone who follows Guru’s
teachings to achieve such goals.

3. Sikhs had ten Gurus in succession and the tenth Guru compiled all the teachings in a holy
scripture called Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The revered scripture presides over as the eleventh Guru
of Sikhs. Guru Granth Sahib Ji has 1430 pages and each and every page gives amazing
information about God and how to be one with Him.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji's followers were the Sikhs (the seekers of truth) and came from different
communities and castes. Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught the Sikhs to bow only before God and that in
order to experience God within themselves they should:
By following this path, a Sikh can achieve liberation by becoming gur-mukh (God centred)
instead of being mun-mukh (self centred).
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Guru Angad Dev Ji Guru Amar Das Ji Guru Ram Das Ji
Guru Arjan Dev Ji Guru Har Gobind Ji Guru Har Rai Ji Guru Har Krishan Ji
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Guru Gobind Singh Ji Guru Granth Sahib Ji

4. There have been 10 human Gurus in the Sikh religion, each making a distinguished contribution
to the development of the religion. Whilst Sikhs hold the Gurus in high regard they are not
worshipped; Sikhs only worship one God "Ek Onkar".
The 10th and last human Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji transformed the Sikhs into the Khalsa.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji baptised five brave men, the "Panj Pyarey" (five beloved ones) who
heeded his call for sacrifice. Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave the name "Singh" for men and "Kaur"
for women and ordered everyone in the Khalsa to obverse the five "Ks".
Kesh
Uncut hair and beard. Symbolises acceptance of God's will.
Kangha
A small wooden comb to groom the hair.
Karhha
An iron or steel bracelet to be worn on the right hand.
Kirpan Small sword 9 inches long, symbolises courage, strength and
kindness.
Kaccha
Shorts, symbolises modesty and morality.
Prohibitions in Sikhism
Further information: Prohibitions in Sikhism and Diet in Sikhism.There are a number of religious
prohibitions in Sikhism.
1. Cutting hair: Cutting hair is strictly forbidden in Sikhism. Sikhs are required to keep
unshorn hair.
2. Intoxication: Consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and other intoxicants is not
allowed. Intoxicants are strictly forbidden for a Sikh. However the Nihangs of Punjab
take an infusion of cannabis to assist meditation.
3. Adultery: In Sikhism, the spouses must be physically and mentally faithful to one
another.

5. 4. Blind spirituality: Superstitions and rituals should not be observed or followed, including
pilgrimages, fasting and ritual purification; circumcision; idols & grave worship;
compulsory wearing of the veil for women; etc.
5. Material obsession: Obsession with material wealth is not encouraged in Sikhism.
6. Sacrifice of creatures: The practice of sati (widows throwing themselves on the funeral
pyre of their husbands), ritual animal sacrifice to celebrate holy occasions, etc. are
forbidden.
7. Non-family-oriented living: A Sikh is encouraged not to live as a recluse, beggar, yogi,
monastic (monk/nun) or celibate. Sikhs are to live as saint-soldiers.
8. Worthless talk: Bragging, lying, slander, "back-stabbing", etc. are not permitted. The
Guru Granth Sahib tells the Sikh, "Your mouth has not stopped slandering and gossiping
about others. Your service is useless and fruitless."
9. Priestly class: Sikhism does not have priests, they were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh
(the 10th Guru of Sikhism). The only position he left was a Granthi to look after the Guru
Granth Sahib, any Sikh is free to become Granthi or read from the Guru Granth Sahib.
10. Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (Kutha meat): Sikhs are strictly prohibited from
eating meat from animals slaughtered in a religiously prescribed manner (such as
dhabihah or shechita, known as Kutha meat, when the animal is killed by exsanguination
via throat-cutting), or any meat where langar is served.[56] The meat eaten by Sikhs is
known as Jhatka meat.
11. Having extramarital sexual relations.
Major Principles of Sikhism
Believe in only One Almighty God.
Salvation can only be attained by meditating on God.
All human races are equal.
Women have equal status and equal rights.
Keep diet simple and vegetarian.
Not to cut hair.
Not to believe in superstitions.
Guru: Guru is one with God and delivers the message of God.
Rituals: The Sikh religion rejects all rituals, superstitions and routine practices like fasting and
pilgrimage, animal sacrifice, omens and austerities.
Rights: Sikh religion instructs that all humans are equal.
1. Equality among Humans: Sikhism instructs to consider all human races equal. No one is
superior or inferior.
2. Equality of Men and Women: Sikhism instructs to consider all men and women equal.
Women have equal status as men.

6. Lifestyle: Sikh Gurus themselves lived a family and social life and showed everyone how one
can be close to God while living a family life. Sikh Guru created a lifestyle for Sikhs. Sikhs that
follow this lifestyle are less likely to deviate from the path to God. Sikh lifestyle includes:
1. Naam Japna (Meditation): A Sikh is to engage in a daily practice of meditation by
reciting and chanting of God’s Name. Sikhism instructs that Salvation can only be
attained by meditating on One God. Daily recitation also keeps Sikhs focused in life.
2. Kirat Karni (Honest Lifestyle): To live honestly and earn by ones physical and mental
effort while accepting God's gifts and blessings. A Sikh should never engage in dishonest
means of making money.
3. Vand Chakna (Sharing): The Sikhs are asked to share their wealth within the community
and outside by practicing charity (Daan). Sikhism instructs to “Share and consume
together”.
4. Seva (Selfless Service): It is the duty of every Sikh to engage in Seva whenever there is a
possibility. A Sikh can volunteer at Gurdwara Sahib; community centre; senior living
centers; care centers, major world disasters, etc. Seva is important to Sikhs because it
helps build a better community and also keeps the Sikhs humble by suppressing ego.
5. Five Vices: A Sikh needs to overcome five vices of Lust, Anger, Greed, Emotional
Attachment and Ego.
6. Five Traits: A Sikh need to develop and harness positive human qualities which lead the
soul closer to God. These five qualities are: Truth, Compassion, Contentment, Humble,
and Love.
7. Five Verses: Reading 5 verses from Sikh scriptures everyday keeps one in focus towards
God.
8. Five Ks: Wearing 5 Ks (Five Articles of Faith) Uncut Hair, Comb, Bracelet, Sacred Knife
and Sacred Shorts keeps one focused in life.
9. Alcohol and Drugs: Consuming alcohol, smoke and drugs is an obstruction in meeting
God.
10. Food: A Sikh should eat simple and vegetarian food.
Life after Death: Sikhism has a belief in reincarnation. Heaven and hell do exist. Your good
deeds will be rewarded in heaven and bad deed will be punished in hell, you will take birth again
and again until you attain salvation by becoming One with God.
Purpose of Life: Sikhism instructs that our life has a purpose and a goal. It offers an opportunity
for self and God realization. Moreover man is responsible for his own actions. He cannot claim
immunity from the results of his actions. He must therefore be very vigilant in what he does. The
goal of human life to merge with God is accomplished by meditation on God and performance of
acts of service and charity. Sikhism emphasizes the path of devotion. It also lays stress on the
need for earning God's Grace in order to reach the spiritual goal.

7. Sikh festivals/events
Technically, there are no festivals in Sikhism. However, the events mostly centred around the
lives of the Gurus and Sikh martyrs are commemorated. The SGPC, the Sikh organisation in
charge of upkeep of the historical gurdwaras of Punjab, organises celebrations based on the new
Nanakshahi calendar. This calendar is highly controversial among Sikhs and is not universally
accepted. Sikh festivals include the following:
Gurpurabs are celebrations or commemorations based on the lives of the Sikh gurus.
They tend to be either birthdays or celebrations of Sikh martyrdom. All ten Gurus have
Gurpurabs on the Nanakshahi calendar, but it is Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh
who have a gurpurab that is widely celebrated in Gurdwaras and Sikh homes. The
martyrdoms are also known as a shaheedi Gurpurabs, which mark the martyrdom
anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Tegh Bahadur. Since 2011 the Gurpurab of
Guru Har Rai Sahib (March 14) has been celebrated as Sikh Vatavaran Diswas (Sikh
Environment Day). Guru Har Rai was the seventh guru, known as a gentle guru man who
cared for animals and the environment. The day is marked by worldwide events,
including tree plantings, rubbish clearances and celebrations of the natural world. [39]
Visakhi occurs on 13 April. Sikhs celebrate it because on this day which fell on 30 March
1699, the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, inaugurated the Khalsa, the 11th body of Guru
Granth Sahib and leader of Sikhs till eternity.
Bandi Chhor celebrates Guru Hargobind's release from the Gwalior Fort, with several
innocent Hindu kings who were also imprisoned by Jahangir, on 26 October 1619. This
day usually commemorated on the same day of Hindu festival of Diwali.
Hola Mohalla occurs the day after Holi and is when the Khalsa gather at Anandpur and
display their individual and team warrior skills, including fighting and riding.