Who Are The Sikhs?

The Sikh mission is to promote chardi kala around the world.
Our scope of service includes promoting diversity and cultural
competency as taught by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, thereby bringing to
the fore issues of gender inequality for the purpose of uplifting people
who have a history of being marginalized, using social media and other
means as platforms to inform various communities of the life experiences
and concerns of marginalized people with regard to the necessity for social
change, dialogue, inclusion, compassion, tolerance, and cultural literacy,
and growth in our human relations going forward in order to better facilitate
the current worldwide shift in global consciousness from tribalism, instability,
and extremism, to harmony, cooperation and enduring peace. And furthermore,
we welcome and support other organizations that promote the transformation of
consciousness as taught by Guru Nanak Dev Ji throughout his life and travels.

A Sikh's ultimate vision is to afford every person in the community
the opportunities to explore the sensitivities of the human spirit to
wit each person is inspired to (a) teach and interact with other people while
maintaining a keen appreciation for their longing for inclusion, the innate longing
to belong within our human nature; (b) respond with compassionate consideration
and sensitivity to those racial, cultural, religious, ethnic, economic, political, social,
ethical, psychological, and philosophical differences that exist within every community.

Of all religions, the highest is to remember the Name of the Lord; emulate
His attributes; and maintain purity of conduct. -- Siri Guru Granth Sahib 5-266

"In your office in the Federal building downtown, guarded by a national security firm, (Akal Security, owned by Sikhs), you are enjoying a cup of Yogi Tea (a brand formulated by Yogi Bhajan, a Sikh), eating Kettle Chips (a brand started by Sikhs) and a piece of fruit (grown on the country's largest fruit farm, owned by Sikhs), and you learn your grandmother is in the hospital. You jump in a cab (owned by a Sikh company, driven by a Sikh, fueled by gasoline distributed by a Sikh-owned company) and arrive at the hospital to talk with the doctor (a Sikh) and he recommends you have her tested (on a machine designed by a Sikh engineer, and with parts assembled in a factory, by a Sikh). We are not the other, we are your neighbors."

On Sunday morning, August 5, 2012, people were praying, cooking in the kitchen and preparing for the day's kirtan (musical) program at the Sikh temple, the Gurdwara Sahib, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Tragically, a deranged man entered and opened fire with handguns, killing six innocent people and wounding three others, including a heroic police officer, before taking his own life.

"It is a Sikh's sacred duty, without fear or anger, to defend
the weak and protect the innocent." GurdwaraSecurity.com

"Sikhs respect and will act to protect the free practice and the
beliefs and traditions of other religions." WhoAreTheSikhs.com

"As Ministers we are obliged to practice what we teach using only occasional
words, i.e., our actions teach louder than our words." MSS Hari Singh Bird

Sikhs are adherents of Sikhism. The following narrative is presented for the purpose of making the inquirer more familiar with the lifestyle and practices of Sikh Dharma, a householders' spiritual path by which, with practice and by God's grace, one may be blessed with the virtue known as humility, and the good fortune to overcome the spiritual affliction of pride.

"Sometimes you think God is a big guy in the sky with 30 hands and 40
legs who does everything. That is not true. Whatever your known is,
that is you. Whatever your unknown is, that is God." -- Yogi Bhajan

"Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path
whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. That is my point of view,
and I adhere to that absolutely and unconditionally. Truth, being
limitless, unconditioned, unapproachable by any path whatsoever,
cannot be organized; nor should any organization be formed to
lead or to coerce people along any particular path." -- Krishnamurti

"All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force, which brings
the particles of an atom to vibration, which holds the atom together.
We must assume behind this force is the existence of a conscious,
intelligent mind. This Mind is the Matrix of all matter." -- Max Planck

Think about IT. You grew your magnificent brain, perhaps the most
complicated thing in the world. And you grew it without even thinking
about it. A supremely intelligent Life Force of unknown origin created and
sustains this wondrous miracle of life. IT is what Sikhs refer to as GOD.

Sikhs hold a prominent place in the history of America and India. Guru Nanak Dev founded Sikhism in the fifteen century (see Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Kartarpur video) and he was followed by nine Gurus (enlightened teachers or prophets). Guru Angad, the second Guru, developed the Gurumukhi script. Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru, laid the foundation for the city of Amritsar. Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru, compiled the Adi Granth, the sacred songs of the Sikhs, later to become known as the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. But it was Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, who gave Sikhs a renewed sense of chardee kala, which in turn gave Sikh Dharma its resurgent vigor and mass following in the 17th century. Guru Gobind Singh declared himself to be the last of the earthly Gurus. And he commanded his followers to revere only the Guru-Word as Guru upon his death.

These are the three major principles of Sikhism: 1) Daily reflection on the One God; 2) Earn an honest living; and 3) Share one's resources with others at Guru's Langar and through community service. Everybody who contemplates the One God, lives by these teachings, and respects the spiritual unity of mankind as servants of the One Creator are known as Khalsa. See The 12 Aspirations of the Sikhs.

The Sikh worship center is called a Gurdwara, meaning the doorway to the Guru or Teacher. People of all persuasions, including atheists and agnostics, are welcome at any Gurdwara.

NOTE: It is NOT the purpose nor the customary practice of the adherents of Sikh Dharma to proselytize. Sikhs often express the term "Sat Kartar," i.e., "God is the Doer." In this sense meaning, only those with such destiny are to be Sikhs.

An essential part of Sikh spiritual practices is to serve langar at the Gurdwara and elsewhere in the community at free kitchens. Here the food is cooked by members of the sangat (congregation) and is served without discrimination to all. After the sangat has participated in any ceremony, they are served the Guru’s Langar. The tradition of Langar expresses the ideals of equality, sharing, and the oneness of all humankind. See What I Learned From The Sikhs. See GurdwaraSecurity.com.

In America, the members of Sikh Dharma are the only
religious group whose practice includes the wearing of a turban.

Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, instituted the Akalis. The Akalis are religious warriors -- soldiers of God. Late in the twentieth century, 1970s and 1980s, the Akalis waged a bloody fight against the Indian government, which led to a massive armed offensive against them.

Today, after episodes of religious persecution in their homeland, in 1738 by Nadir Shah, in 1748 to 1751 by Ahmed Shah Abdadi, by the British in 1849, and in 1984, by the government militia in the aftermath of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination, and due to their energetic and entrepreneurial spirit, Sikhs can be found all over the world.

Sikhs, or Sardarjis as they are known by some, have been great patrons of art, religion and scholarship. Along with the Rajputs, they are known as the bravest warriors in India, and their women, among India's most beautiful. The Sikhs have participated in India's nation building for hundreds of years, fighting the British, serving in the military (the Sikh regiment is the most decorated regiment of the Indian army) and excelling in sports. And they have served as the President (Gianni Zail Singh, veteran freedom fighter and President of India, 1982-87) and Prime Minister (Dr. Manmohan Singh) of India. (Dr. Singh is the first Sikh, and 14th Prime Minister of India.)

First Ladies, Gurusharon Kaur and Michelle Obama, and Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama.
First State Dinner of the Obama presidency, Nov. 24, 2009.

Left: Barack Obama and Manmohan Singh at the April 2009 G-20 in Europe.
Right: Obama and Singh during state visit in Delhi, India, November 2010.

Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr. Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia receives a Papal Knighthood awarded
by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in a ceremony of investiture, April 23, 2012.

On May 16, 2012, the seventh largest police force in America became
the first major police department in the United States to explicitly and
voluntarily allow Sikh Americans to serve as full-time, uniformed police
officers while keeping their articles of faith, unshorn hair with turban, etc.

In the heart of a lion, there is no fear of dyin'.
In the heat of battle, the Spirit of Life burns like a flame.
In the depths of the darkness, in the worse betrayal and pain,
The fearless Khalsa heart will beat to the rhythm of the Name.

Enemies come and enemies go, but the Khalsa stands like a mountain range.
We will return to Infinity, what in the world will the drama change?
Go onto the battlefield, head in hand as a humble one.
The life doesn't matter, the courage does.
Soon the job will be done ... Full text.

Those who shall not learn to obey shall never be
in a position to command. -- Siri Singh Sahib

Create dependable children, not dependent children. Give your children
the basic values to face their own tomorrows, not be blinded by yours. Make
them proper personalities, not helpless puppets. Position them for success; do
not paralyze them with the commotion of your emotions. -- Siri Singh Sahib

The basic aspect of you as woman is not in your sensuality and in your dramas.
You are not only the givers of life, you are the manufacturers of character. Whatever
character you will give to your children, that shall be their future. -- Siri Singh Sahib

Children are born with intrinsic leadership traits that prepare them for life.
These must translate positively into the lives they lead as citizens of the world.
These are: Service, Justice, Courage, Compassion, Decisiveness, Reliability,
Integrity, Initiative, Knowledge, Loyalty, Enthusiasm, Endurance. -- Hari Singh

SIKH YOUTH DESERVES LEADERSHIP TRAINING
New Mexico Military Institute can provide this.
A two-year leadership program is available.

"Human is a blend of Saint and Soldier (Sant Sipahi); this is a complete person.
If you are not a soldier your sainthood will be kicked around. If you are only a
soldier not a saint, you will start kicking others around." The Siri Singh Sahib

Sat Nam, Khalsa ji! I am a proponent of a better balance between our Saint-Soldier mind set as Sant Sipahi. Therefore I urge Sikh parents, especially Sikh women, the first teachers of our children, to consider the following points.

.) I urge you to consider enrolling your children at the New Mexico Military Institute, located in Roswell, New Mexico. My two kids graduated with honors (4.0 and 3.8 GPAs) from the high school in the early '80s, the first children of Sikh Dharma to attend a military school in America. The Siri Singh Sahib expressed pleasure upon observing cadet training when he visited NMMI in 1983. He advised that he would have enrolled his children at NMMI if he had known of its existence. Another group of Sikh children who attended school in India later attended NMMI in the early '90s.

Sikh Chaplain, MSS Hari Singh Bird, addresses Sikh cadets in front of the NMMI chapel, 1992.

New Mexico Military Institute offers an outstanding two year college option for your sons and daughters after they complete their time at Miri Piri Academy. For those families for which MPA is not an option, NMMI has an excellent four year high school college prep program in addition to their two year college program. New Mexico Military Institute has been ranked No. 5 on a list of the nation’s top 50 community colleges by an independent organization, i.e., TheBestSchools.org, which has described the Roswell, New Mexico school as the “only state-supported, coeducational, military boarding school in the United States.” The school offers college prep, a four-year high school and a two-year junior college. See NMMI Strategic Measures Statistics.

Each of the former Sikhi students/graduates of NMMI provide a testament to the advantages of attending NMMI, which include a rigorous and challenging lifestyle, camaraderie and fellowship, and outstanding leadership training especially, along with NMMI's excellent scholastic program. This experience prepared them for additional university training, and exciting careers all over the world. NMMI is the only American prep school I know that has a history of accommodating the Sikhi lifestyle, i.e., sadhana, kesh, turban, sipahi training, and vegetarian diet. And it is an excellent environment for Sikhi youth to learn leadership and soldiering skills for which the Siri Singh Sahib was a passionate proponent.

The NMMI program offers MPA students and other Sikh youth a unique and reasonably cost-effective opportunity to transition from the Indian program into the American experience as a unit, and the obvious advantage of continued bonding with their peers. See NMMI Admissions, or click admissions@nmmi.edu, or call 800-421-5376.

.) I urge you to support a resurgence of the Women's Close Order Drill Team, about which the Siri Singh Sahib frequently commented, "If you cannot walk together, you cannot work together." He initiated this training back in the late '70s at Khalsa Women's Training Camp in addition to the Women's Select Rifle Drill Team and Firearms Training.

.) I urge you to reflect on the Siri Singh Sahib's words, "Human is a blend of Saint and Soldier (Sant Sipahi); this is a complete person. If you are not a Soldier your sainthood will be kicked around. If you are only a Soldier, not a Saint, you will start kicking others around."

Again, our youth deserve leadership training going forward. I know of no readily available source of formal leadership training available to our Sikh youth other than the New Mexico Military Institute.

500 year ago, when Columbus first sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and discovered the Americas, a divinely-inspired spiritual teacher by the name of Guru Nanak traveled by foot throughout South Asia and the Middle East elevating the social situations of his time by teaching the oneness of humanity and tolerance between people of different religions. Guru Nanak and his followers, called Sikhs, wore turbans as a symbol of their devotion to the One God that created all people and all religions.

On April 13, 1699, the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, recognizing these spiritual principles, incorporated them into the the Sikh code of honor. The Sikh honor code promotes and, more importantly, protects the equality and the diversity of all people regardless of faith, color, caste and gender, and requires Sikhs to protect the weak and innocent from unjust attacks. The Sikh turban and beard have come to represent not only a spirit of universality and diversity, but also a willingness to protect others' rights, even at the cost of their own life.

Women manifest their autonomy and parity when they
tie turban thereby advancing gender equality. Without
turban the perception persists that Kaurs are not true Sikhs.

"You can change to any religion, to any form and shape.
But what matters is whether you have understood reality or not.
You are a human. Have you understood what "human" means?
That matters. Whether you are a good person, a bad person,
a rich person, poor person, religious person or a fake -
doesn't mean a thing." -- Yogi Bhajan

"One who socializes with compassion
and kindness is a human. One who
socializes with compassion, kindness
and grace is an angel." -- Yogi Bhajan

SIKHS IN THE MILITARY

"Human is a blend of Saint and Soldier (Sant Sipahi); this is a complete person.
If you are not a Soldier your sainthood will be kicked around. If you are only a
Soldier and not a Saint, you will start kicking others around." -- Yogi Bhajan

Colonel Gopal Singh Khalsa (Left)

Colonel Khalsa joined the U.S. Army in 1976 as a Private, and served in
the Special Forces Unit for 10 years on Parachute Status, as a Battalion
Commander overseeing an 800-person intelligence group, and also received
a Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster Award, amongst many
other honors. He is a graduate of the Army Officer Candidate School in Georgia,
and was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 2004.

"In Prosperity, three things work: Security, Security and Security.
Because Security manifests Prosperity. Security manifests the entire
manifestation. Because Security is the Rule of Harmony." Siri Singh Sahib

Sergeant Sevak Singh Kroesen (Center)

Sergeant Kroesen enlisted in the U.S. Army reserves in 1976 and was
attached to the Signal Company, 11th Special Forces Group after which
he successfully completed airborne (paratrooper) and Radio Teletype
Transmission Operator training. He then completed his Special Forces
Qualification Courses and became a Special Forces Communications
Sergeant. He completed this rigorous training, and his Sikh articles of faith
were never a hindrance to his service. Sergeant Kroesen subsequently
completed schools, training, and missions around the world all with honor
and distinction. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1991.

Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan, DMD, (center)
graduates from U.S. Army's Officers Basic Training.

There are currently 22 Sikhs serving in the U.S. Army. U.S. Army Spc. Simran Lamba, center, was granted the honor of carrying a red-white-and-blue unit color flag for Alpha company, Third Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, during his basic training graduation ceremony at Fort Jackson, S.C., Wed., Nov. 10, 2010. Lamba was the first U.S enlisted soldier to be granted religious accommodation. It took action by several Sikh organizations and a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, signed by 43 members of the House of Representatives and six U.S. senators, to change the Army's mind. A pair of special exceptions to Army Regulation 600-20 were allowed so Rattan and Kalsi, above, could wear their dastaars (turbans) and keep their unshorn hair and beards as part of their uniform, and also retain their other articles of faith.

On September 11, 2001, when terrorists struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, thousands of lives were lost and the world was dramatically transformed. Hate crimes claimed more victims in the days that followed. The large-scale terrorist attacks and the countless victims of hate-related violence who suffered in the backlash from the attacks were ultimately victims of the same intolerance against people of other faiths, cultures and traditions. See BigotDetector.com.

Four days after the September 11th attacks, a Sikh man by the name of Balbir Singh Sodhi was shot and killed while planting flowers outside of his neighborhood gas station in Mesa, Arizona. The motive of the crime was simply hate. In the years since, victims' rights advocacy groups have identified many other people across the country who have also been murdered because of their religious or cultural backgrounds. In addition, hundreds of others have been physically attacked, verbally harassed or discriminated against simply because of their diversity. See The Oak Creek Six. See Is Your Gurdwara Secure?

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski made history April 1, 2010 by signing a
landmark bill that allows public school teachers within the state to wear
religious clothing required by their religious faith in their classrooms.

Representing the Sikh community, Ravitej Singh Khalsa and Secretary General
Gurujot Kaur (wearing white turbans) address a SALDEF gathering after the signing.

Members of Das Mes Darbasr Gurdwara community honor the Sikh supporters from the legislature
and religious groups for their efforts. The lady in the black scarf (center) is Saba Ahmed who
worked tirelessly at the State Capital to sway the vote. Sat Hanuman Singh, Ravitej Singh,
Sat Bir Singh, Eugene, Oregon Granthi, wearing their white turbans, were also honored.
As was Karta Kaur (absent), the woman who was fired in Eugene for wearing her turban.
See http://www.sikhnet.com/news/final-oregon-law-repeal-info.

"Any woman on this planet who values herself as a
woman is great. She is a giver of life. And when you
are a giver of life, what more is there?" -- Yogi Bhajan

"From a woman all men are born. How then can
any man degrade any woman?" -- Hari Kaur Khalsa

Women manifest their autonomy and parity when they
tie turban thereby advancing gender equality. Without
turban the perception persists that Kaurs are not true Sikhs.

"A Sikh's sacred purpose is to celebrate Naam, and our sacred duty is to
live as saint-soldiers, defending the weak and protecting the innocent."

Maintain 'Chardee Kala' (an exalted and positive attitude towards life and other people).

Believe it is God's blessing to serve others, and to protect the weak and innocent.

Special Note: It is not the customary practice of the followers of Sikh Dharma to proselytize others. Sikhs often express the term "Sat Kartar," i.e., "God is the Doer." In this sense meaning, only those with such destiny will become Sikhs.

*Sadhana is a word derived from the Sanskrit words Sa, meaning all, and Dhana, meaning blessings.

"The problem at this moment is the majority of us do not want to do sadhana (spiritual practice). These unfortunate people are really cursed. With all the teachings and all the knowledge, isn't it a curse? It is. Sometimes you use the children as an excuse, sometimes the husband. One way or the other, there is an excuse. To be realistic with you, an excuse is an excuse, and sadhana is sadhana. I know on some days, I am dead tired. I feel I can't do my sadhana. Then what do I do? I go to the bathroom, I take cold water, and I wash my face again and again, and again and again, until I understand that I am fully awake. When I am doing my sadhana, sleep sometimes wants to overtake me; I get tired. Sometimes I get home late and I have to get up very early. Then I do pranayam and I apply some yogic locks. I do a lot of things that I have learned and I go through it as gracefully as a humble human being should." -- Yogi Bhajan

"The greatest reward of doing Sadhana is that the person becomes incapable of being defeated. Sadhana is a self-victory, and it is a victory over time and space. Getting up in the morning is a victory over time, and doing it (sadhana) is a victory over space." -- The Siri Singh Sahib of Sikh Dharma

In America, the members of Sikh Dharma are the only
religious group whose practice includes the wearing of a turban.

WHAT IS SIKHISM?

Sikhism, the youngest of the world religions and numbering about 20 million, is barely five hundred years old. Its founder, Guru Nanak, was born in 1469. Guru Nanak spread a simple ecumenical message of "Ek Ong Kar", we are all one, created by the One Creator of all Creation. This was at a time when India was being torn apart by castes, sectarianism, religious factions, and fanaticism. He aligned with no religion, and respected all religions, and religious scriptures. He expressed the reality that there is but one God, and many paths, and the Name of God is Truth, "Sat Nam". His simple message to all is, "Meditate forever on the One!"

WORD IS GURU

The Siri Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Nanak's followers are known as Sikhs (disciples of Truth). He taught them to bow only before the one God, and to link themselves by way of the Guru, the Light of Truth, and to live always in direct consciousness of God, experiencing no separation. Through words and example, the Guru demonstrates to followers how to experience God within themselves, bringing them from darkness into light. Guru Nanak was a humble bearer of this Light of Truth. He opposed superstition, injustice, and hypocrisy and inspired seekers by singing divine songs, which touched the hearts of the most callous listeners. These songs were recorded in Gurmukhi script, and formed the beginnings of the Sikhs' Sacred Writings, later to become the "Siri Guru Granth Sahib".

THE GURMUKHI ALPHABET

GURU NANAK TAUGHT THIS SPIRITUAL LIFESTYLE

Nam Japa - To rise each day before sunrise, clean the body, meditate on God's Name and recite the Guru's hymns to clean the mind. And throughout the day, continuously remember God's Name with every breath, meditating on the One.

Dharam di Kirat Karni - To labor and earn by the sweat of the brow, live a householder's way of life, and practice truthfulness and honesty in all dealings.

Vand Ke Chakna - To share the fruits of one's labor with others before considering oneself. And thus, live as an inspiration and a support to the entire community.

Guru Nanak 1469-1539
Founder of Sikh Dharma

Guru Nanak laid down this foundation of Sikhism. Guru Nanak later infused and passed this consciousness on to a disciple, who then became the next Guru, who subsequently passed the light on to the next, and so on for a total of 10 Gurus. The word "Guru" is derived from the root words "Gu", which means darkness or ignorance, and "Ru", which means light or knowledge. The Guru is the experience of Truth, God, the One Reality.

THE 10 SIKH GURUS REPRESENT 10 CHARACTER TRAITS

Denotes Beginning of Guruship

Guru Nanak 1469 - 1539 -- HUMILITY   1507

Guru Angad 1504 - 1552 -- OBEDIENCE   1539

Guru Amar Das 1479 - 1574 -- EQUALITY   1552

Guru Ram Das 1534 - 1581 -- SERVICE   1574

Guru Arjan 1563 -1606 -- SELF-SACRIFICE   1581

Guru Hargobind 1595 - 1644 -- JUSTICE   1606

Guru Har Rai 1630 - 1661 -- MERCY   1644

Guru Harkrishan 1656 - 1664 -- PURITY   1661

Guru Tegh Bahadur 1621 - 1675 -- TRANQUILITY   1664

Guru Gobind Singh 1666 - 1708 -- ROYAL COURAGE   1675

MEDITATIVE REFLECTION OF EACH GURU

1. Guru Nanak -- Soul Body
2. Guru Angad -- Cautionary Mind
3. Guru Amar Das -- Postive Mind
4. Guru Ram Das -- Neutral Mind
5. Guru Arjan -- Physical Body
6. Guru Hargobind -- Arcline-Halo Body
7. Guru Har Rai -- Auric Body
8. Guru Har Krishan -- Pranic Body
9. Guru Teg Bahadur -- Subtle Body
10. Guru Gobind Singh -- Radiant Body
11. Siri Guru Granth Sahib -- Mastery of all ten Bodies

NOTE: Dates are given in CE (Common Era). These years correspond to the same dates as AD but by defining the current period as the "Common Era" the nomenclature attempts to treat all religions and beliefs as equal.

Greetings, Names, and Titles
See Dictionary of Sikh Names.

Bhai Sahiba, or Bhai Sahib: Bhai means Sister or Brother. Sahiba or Sahib means Madam or Sir. These are also titles of reverence bestowed upon highly respected Sikh women and Sikh men respectively for their dedication, spiritual wisdom, insight and knowledge.

Ek Ong Kar; (13); One Creator of Creation; From One Many; Ex Uno Plures; or God and me, me and God are One. In the eyes of the enlightened student of religion, there is only One Creator; the same Creator worshipped by various religions, and known by various names and descriptions, e.g., in Islam, it's Allah; in Christianity and Judaism, it's GOD, the Generator, Organizer, and Destroyer; the I Am Who Am: in Hinduism, it's Ram; in Sikhism, it's Wahe Guru, or Akal Purkh. These are all the same Infinite Being masquerading as the diversity of creation while wearing the mask of what Sikhs, Hindus and others call Maya. See You Don't Exist. See LeftOfMaya.com. See OneIsTheAnswerWhatIsTheQuestion.com. See 13EkOngKar.com.

God: Think about this. You grew and developed your magnificent brain, perhaps the most complicated thing in the world without even thinking about it. A supremely intelligent Life Force of unknown origin created and sustains this wondrous miracle. This benevolent Force is what Sikhs refer to as Ek Ong Kar, the One Creator of Creation, the One In Charge, what Jews and Christians call God. See OneIsTheAnswer.com.

What is God? In reality it is your own positive self, your higher Self,
your universal Self, the Self, which knows no defeat, the Self, which can rise
again and again and again like a wave in the ocean. Yogi Bhajan 7/17/1984

Guru: Siri Guru Granth Sahib, the living and only remaining teacher of the Sikhs manifested in the form of Word. (See Most Common Words In Siri Guru Granth Sahib.)

Hari: Name for God, the creative aspect. 'Har' is the primal name/sound of the Creator. 'I' is the active aspect.

Karma: The force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence. (Newton's Third Law of Motion. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.) See More Definitions.

Kaur: Princess. Female Sikhs are given Kaur as part of their given name. A female Sikh's given name, as in many other traditions, usually denotes some aspect of the Creator. Female and male Sikhs can have the same given name, e.g., Hari Kaur, woman, and Hari Singh, man.

Khalsa: Body of Pure Ones, i.e., "those who contemplate the Lord," from Sukhmani Sahib; who live by their inner purity and light; who are pure of heart. Sukhmani Sahib is the name given to a set of hymns divided into 24 sections, which appear in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Khalsa DOES NOT apply exclusively to Sikhs. The Khalsa includes ALL those who contemplate God; ALL who live by their inner purity and light; ALL who are pure of heart. Mankind must be ever mindful of the tendency to tribalism. Also see Tribal vs. Tribalism.

Mahan Tantric: "Mahan" is a Sanskrit word meaning principle, supreme, great, or high. "Tantric" is a Sanskrit word meaning one who weaves together, as in weaving together the physical and the spiritual, as in joining together the human and the divine. See Tantra Yoga. See TheMahanTantric.com.

Mukhia Jathedar: Chief (Senior) Leader; the honor bestowed upon women and men who have manifested exceptional qualities of knowledge and service to the community.

Mukhia Sardarni Sahiba, and Mukhia Singh Sahib (aka MSS): Chief Noble Lioness, and Chief Noble Lion, are ministerial titles bestowed upon women and men respectively who have manifested exemplary service to the community. Indicates an elder of Sikh Dharma International.

Naam (Nam or Name): Word-Sound; the expressed sound current by which God, the I AM; the One Creator of Creation is acknowledged, worshipped, remembered, honored, celebrated and appreciated as the One Thee-Me in EveryBody. (See Word Physiology. See Be Your Allness. See Acknowledgements.)

Sardarni Sahiba, and Singh Sahib (aka SS): Noble Lioness and Noble Lion, are ministerial titles bestowed upon women and men respectively who are ordained Sikh ministers of Sikh Dharma International. See Inspirational Quotes For Ministers.

Sat Kartar: The True Doer of all. A term sometimes used to acknowledge the reason Sikhs do not proselytize,* i.e., only those whose destiny is to be a Sikh will be Sikh. *See Example.

Sat Kartar: God is the Doer.

Sat Nam: Authentic Truth. Used as a greeting, it means Truth is your One Identity, your Essential Essence. In other words, you are IT, I am IT, we are IT. (Also see Sat Nam Means.)

Sat Siri (Siri or Sri) Akal: Supreme Truth never ends, i.e., our True Identity is undying.

Shakti Pad: The status or mindset of any practitioner, who knows far less than they think they know, and which fails to acknowledge same. The worst-case scenario is that one falls into the trap of convincing oneself and others that only they know the best way, and that the old ways need to change, going forward. Beware of the 'tiger's bite'! It is a normal consequence of 'riding the tiger' of pride. One must be alert to the signs in order to take appropriate action. One must surrender their ego, realizing that learning never stops. See Antidote.

Singh: Lion. Male Sikhs are given Singh as part of their given name. A male Sikh's given name, as in many other traditions, usually denotes some aspect of the Infinite. Male and female Sikhs can have the same first given name, e.g., Hari Singh, male, and Hari Kaur, female.

Singh Means Lion
The Lion sleeps no more.

Siri Sardarni Sahiba, and Siri Singh Sahib (aka SSS): Supreme Noble Lioness and Supreme Noble Lion, are ministerial titles bestowed upon women and men respectively who are religious authorities within a particular domain of Sikh Dharma International. See SiriSinghSahib.com.

Tantra Yoga: "Tantra" means woven together. "Yoga" means union.

Wahe Guru: The Indescribable Experience of Indescribable Wisdom, which is commonly known only as 'God'.

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa - Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh: An expression or greeting meaning that those who meditate on the Infinite (Khalsa) belong to the Infinite. And any and all accomplishments belong to the Infinite, i.e., God.

White Tantra Yoga: "White" connotes self-mastery, meaning under one's personal control as opposed to "Black", or under remote or other's control. See WhiteTantraYoga.com.

NOTE: White Tantra Yoga should not be confused with Black Tantra Yoga or Red Tantra Yoga. These forms of yoga also transform energy, but in a different way and for a different purpose. White Tantra Yoga directs the energy to self-mastery. Black Tantra Yoga directs the energy to manipulate other human beings, and Red Tantra Yoga directs the energy solely for sexual purposes.

See Definitions. See Sikh Definitions. See Glossary of Sikh Terms. See Sikh Minister Requirements. See Sikh Dharma Training Manual 1980. See Greetings, Names and Titles. See Siri Guru Granth Sahib Protocol. See Sikh Wedding And Gurdwara Protocols. See Sikh Dharma Ministerial Manual. See The Rising Spirit Lecture of 11/19/1989. See SikhsShine.com. See TheMahanTantric.com. See Historical Documents. See A Comprehensive Sikh History Quiz. See Sikh Minister's Vows. See Find The Meaning of Sikh Names. See Core Issues For Sikhs. See Why Are White Tantra Yoga Classes So 'White'?

Guru Gobind Singh 1666-1708

FATHER OF THE KHALSA

Guru Gobind Singh was the last of the ten Sikh Gurus in human form. At the first Vaisakhi, he created the Khalsa; a spiritual brother and sisterhood devoted to purity of thought and action. He gave the Khalsa a distinctive external form, the five "Ks", to inspire and remind them of their commitment, and to help them maintain an elevated state of consciousness. And he decreed that Sikh men carry the middle name, Singh, meaning lion, and that Sikh women carry the middle name, Kaur, meaning princess. Examples are, Hari Singh Khalsa, and Hari Kaur Khalsa.

Guru Gobind Singh exemplified the Sikh ideal of the Soldier-Saint. He was also an inspired and prolific writer, courageous warrior, and a source of Divine Wisdom to his Sikhs. "When all other means have failed," he said, "only then is it righteous to take up the sword." He was the defender of the innocent, the poor, the meek, and the oppressed masses of India. See Baisakhi Day 1699. See Baisakhi Day Videos. See Greetings, Names and Titles. See GurdwaraSecurity.com. See Ardas by Guru Gobind Singh.

FROM THE SACRED WRITINGS OF THE SIKHS

Jap Sahib
By Guru Gobind Singh

There is no mark, which sets apart
The Ever Changeless Light of hearts.
No caste or sect, shape, form or hue;
Imagination can't construe
His Greatness or His countless Names;
The King Who o'er the three worlds reigns;
A million Indras can't compete;
God's men and demons touch His feet.

The world's vast fortunes seem as weeds
Amidst the garden of His deeds.
Thus, by His deeds His Name is placed;
Breath of Wisdom, Grace of grace.
Even forests slim or small
In glades and glens repeat the call,
"He is Infinite and All ... Infinite and All."

I bow to Thee, Eternal,
Beyond death the Beauteous Form.
To the Merciful and Mighty,
O, I bow to Thee, Unborn;
To the One Who has no costume,
Who’s beyond all destiny,
Without treasure, without body, Indestructible is He;
Who is Nameless and cannot be named,
Who occupies no space,
Beyond karma, beyond dharma, beyond need of dwelling place.

O, I bow to Thee Unconquerable, the Stranger to defeat.
To the Fearless, Self Sufficient One, the One without deceit;
To the One Who has no color, no beginning and no end,
Who is Bountiful and Faultless, Far Too Great to comprehend;
O, I bow to Thee Who art but One and Thee Who many be.
Beyond earth, air, water, fire and gas, I bow my Lord to Thee ...
Beyond earth, air, water, fire and gas, I bow my Lord to Thee.

I bow to Him beyond all deeds, Who wears no special dress,
Who has no country, name or manner, the Desireless.
I bow to Thee Imperishable, Thee from sorrow free;
Beyond attachment, anger, pride, desire and greed is He;
To the One in need of no one, Who is worshipped in three worlds;
The Source of every treasure, He Who cannot be installed.
He Who’s free from all affliction, independent of all breath;
He Who organizes and destroys, Who is the Death of death.

O, I bow to He Who generates, the One Who can't be known.
The Source of passion, strength and grace;
I bow to Thee, Unborn;
He Who is the Supreme Yogi, far beyond all intellect;
He in need of no support, yet Who supports the ocean's depth ...
He in need of no support, yet Who supports the ocean's depth.

I bow to He Who has no caste, religion, faith or creed;
Sublime and All Prevailing Beauty, with no lineage;
The Countryless, the Garbless, Homeless, Spouseless, King of all,
Who dispenses death and mercy, He Who takes the shape of all.
O, I bow to the Creator, the Sustainer, the True Lord;
To the One Annihilator, low I bow to Thee Unborn;
To the One Who has no secrets, He Who is the Death of all;
The Creator of all beauties, their destruction and their fall.

O, I bow to the Sustainer, Omnipresent in all hues;
Who prevails throughout the universe, the Endless Well of Truths.
O, I bow to Thee, Immortal Lord, to Thee untouched by age;
To the Doer, the Forgiver, to the Fearless and the Sage ...
To the Doer, the Forgiver, to the Fearless and the Sage.

He Who is Every Occupation, no relations, no restraint;
To the kind and constant Husband, Aspiration of the saint;
To the Endless and the Infinite, the Love of every soul;
The Creator and Destroyer, bend thou low, this mortal coil.
Bow down to the Lord of Yogis, the Sustainer of the wife;
The Enjoyer of all pleasures, the Caretaker of all life.

He Who's kind and understanding, more impartial than the sea;
He Who dries up all life's fluids, O, I bow my God to Thee.
To the Bountiful and Fruitful, Who is not sustained by breath;
Who is Fearless and Desireless, He Who is the Death of death;
Who is Infinitely Gracious, Who’s within and out of me;
To the Only God whose Name is Truth, I bow, my Lord to Thee ...
To the Only God whose Name is Truth, I bow, my Lord to Thee.

I bow to Thee, O Virtuous, upon Whom all rely;
He Who lives in everyone, the One from Whom all shapes arise;
To the Moon of moons, the King of kings, the most respected One;
Unto He Who has no comrade, Hymn of hymns and Sun of suns;
He Who is the Dance within the dance, the Sound within the sound.
To the Music of all music, to the Current, I bow down;
To the One Who is the Hand and is the hand's Activity,
Who contains all forms, all maya, Great and Glorious is He.

The Dispute of all disputes, the Supreme Siddha of the verse;
To the User of all weapons, Mother of the universe;
Who is All-Supreme in wisdom, without lust and costume free;
To the Master of maneuvers, O, I bow my Lord to Thee ...
To the Master of maneuvers, O, I bow my Lord to Thee.

I bow to He Who cures disease, Who takes our daily care;
Present in both gods and demons, Who is Dutiful and Fair.
He Who knows all forms of cunning, the Embodiment of love;
Who bestows all life and charity, All Seeing Lord above;
To the Mantra of all mantras, Pure of fire and the Pure;
To the Jantra of all jantras, Conqueror of the universe;
The Immortal, Without Master, to the True and Blissful Form;
To the Tantra of all tantras, low, I bow to Thee Unborn.

O, I bow to He Who rules all wealth, the Brightest of the bright;
To the Seed of seeds, the Song of songs, the Form of dark and light;
To the Honored of all honored, without fear or mystery;
Object of all meditation, O, I bow my Lord to Thee ...
Object of all meditation, O, I bow my Lord to Thee.

I bow to the Bestower of all knowledge time and space;
To the Source of love, the Source of strength, salvation, bliss and grace.
He Who takes the form of passion, He Who takes the form of pain;
To the Harshest of the harsh, the Many and the One again;
To the Everlasting Sculptor Who is pleased with every mold;
The Embodiment of kindness, the Controller of the soul;
The Destroyer of the three conditions, future, past and now.

He Who is the Life of life, bestowing undestroyable power;
To the Battle of all battles, the Embodiment of peace;
The Unalterable Essence, Formless through eternity;
To the Righteous Lord of Indras, Who’s within and out of me;
Meditation of all meditations, Lord, I bow to Thee ...
Meditation of all meditations, Lord, I bow to Thee.

ABOUT VAISAKHI

Five Sikhs prepare Amrit at Vaisakhi

Sikh woman taking Amrit

Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) day commemorates a very important occasion in the history of the Sikh Faith. On this day, Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa Panth. The word Khalsa comes from Persian dialect, meaning “pure”, and Panth refers to “way of life”. He created a Fellowship of the Pure. In a distinct ceremony, five followers of the faith were initiated in to Panth, who passed a difficult test set for them by the Guru, and became known as the “Panj Pyare” (the five beloved ones). Since that time, any five baptized Sikhs have been called upon to render decisions on important issues facing Sikh communities. Another unique aspect is that after baptizing the Panj Pyare, Guru Gobind Singh asked them to initiate him, thus firmly establishing the democratic principles inherent in the Sikh religion. The baptized Sikhs were given a distinct uniform or identity: Kanga (wooden comb), Katchera (breeches), Kara (steel bracelet), Kirpan (sword), the wearing of Kesh (unshorn hair), and a “Code of Conduct” which included abiding by truthful principles of living.

THE SIKH ARTICLES OF DHARMA

Every baptized Khalsa Sikh vows to wear the symbols known as the 'Five Ks', first ordered by Guru Gobind Singh.

KESH,* the God-given hair and beard, kept unshorn to sustain him or her in higher consciousness, and to be covered with a Turban, the crown of spirituality. The unshorn hair is coiled, and worn in a jura or knot (bun) on top of the head (crown chakra), and under the turban. See Beards.

KANGHA, the wooden comb, symbol and reminder of the commitment to cleanliness, and used to groom the hair.

KATCHERA, the specially designed cotton underwear, symbol and reminder of the commitment to purity, and to refrain from sexual relationships outside of marriage. (Khalsa Sikhs also vow to refrain from eating meat or using tobacco, alcohol, and all other intoxicants.)

KARA, the steel ring-bracelet, symbol of One without end, i.e., Infinity, worn on the wrist, signifying the unbreakable bondage with Truth, The One God, The One Reality, and freedom from every entanglement.

KIRPAN,* the small sword, the symbolic Sword of Righteousness, with which a Khalsa is committed to righteously defend the weak, protect the innocent, and the fine line of Truth.

Solid Gold Kirpan Necklace

Scabbard, yellow gold; Blade, white gold
Gold Adi Shakti overlay on scabbard

*Kirpan -- Kkeér Pahn, literally means 'hand of mercy.' It is a Punjabi (East Indian) word for 'knife' or 'dagger', that connotes a philosophy of respect for the martial arts and weapons, NOT as vehicles of aggression, but as a means of defending the defenseless. A Sikh's sacred duty is to defend the weak and protect the innocent. See GurdwaraSecurity.com.

Point To Ponder

Chanting Akaal At The Time of Death

At the time of death Sikhs chant Akaal three times. Akaal means 'Undying' and refers to the soul that is being released.

Chanting Akaal for someone at the time of death is a yogic tradition that assists the soul in its journey as it leaves the physical plane, and also brings comfort and support to those left behind. This is a valuable tool to use no matter who has passed or the circumstances...a loved one, or someone in a tragic event around the world. See More.

Then Guru Gobind Singh infused his own being into the Khalsa, declaring that the Khalsa was now the Guru in all temporal matters. For spiritual matters, the Guruship was given to the "Siri Guru Granth Sahib", a compilation of sacred ecumenical writings taken from saints and sages of several spiritual paths who have experienced Truth. For Sikhs, "Siri Guru Granth Sahib" is the living embodiment of the Guru, and is regarded with the utmost reverence and respect wherever it is found. Sikhs all over the world look to the "Siri Guru Granth Sahib" as their supreme, living Guru, as the source of their spiritual instruction and guidance.

Sikhism is one religion, which is founded on the principles of global interfaith communities and mutual inter-community respect and harmony. The founders of Sikhism have, since 1469, defined and taught the principles of interfaith respect, dialogue, and harmony. A Sikh, by definition, will respect and accept all other world religions. Further, the Sikh will protect, guard, and allow the free practice of the customs and rituals of other religions.

"... We gladly accept all, and we will exclude none, for after
all, we're the same - we are all One." -- Guru Gobind Singh

FOR THE KIDS

Source: JourneyWithTheGurus.com

*Think about it!
Why is hair so rapidly replaced, cut after cut?
And why is it so difficult to keep it from growing?
It contributes more to your well-being than you realize.

Sikhs consider hair to be a blessing from the Creator.

Today, whether a man has a beard can spark controversy. Witness the case of Maher "Mike" Hawash, an Intel contract engineer, and a Muslim, who has pleaded not guilty to charges related to waging war against the United States. In some pictures he's clean shaven, and in others he has a beard. The underlying issue has been, what kind of message does a man's beard send about innocence, guilt, stereotypes and political correctness?

Here's a quick look at what six religious faiths
believe about beards and letting one's hair grow.

Sikhism: Devout Sikhs, both men and women, let their hair grow, wrap their hair in a turban,* and the men allow their beards to grow. These are some basic requirements of the Khalsa, a fellowship of those who "belong to the divine." The practice affirms their belief that God made men and women perfectly, with no changes necessary. When the Khalsa arose in 1699, their unshorn hair set Sikhs apart and encouraged them to stand up against oppression, tyranny and injustice. See Gurdwara Security.

To a Sikh, the hair is a reminder
of the One Who put it there.

But human hair also has physiological and psychological aspects. To the Sikhs, it is an important component in the equation of man's physical and electromagnetic health and harmony. And in the human male, facial hair acts as an important buffer to the solar and lunar energies. Thus, human hair has its obvious or exoteric, as well as yogic or esoteric aspects. In a psychological sense, our cutting of body hair is an indication of a conflicted attitude, since it is within the physical nature of our body to grow the hair, and it is an attitude within our psyche to cut the hair. Conversely, letting the hair grow expresses an inner harmony with nature. In a biological sense, it would appear that hair is important to our physical well being since the body repeatedly replaces hair quickly, whenever it is cut. And in a spiritual sense, it can be said that there is an important message to be had from the One Creator, as to the necessity for hair, e.g., when a man's facial hair is shaved, it rapidly reappears, time after time. See video If your dad doesn't have a beard.

*What's With The Turban I Sikh Style Turbans I Why Keep Your Hair And Beard

Judaism: Orthodox and Hasidic Jews wear beards and, sometimes, long side-curls, called payot. Leviticus 19:27 forbids them to round off the corners of their temples or "mar" the edges of their beards. The latter is equated with shaving, but some Jews believe that scissors and scissor-action shavers may be used. In some circles, a beard is a sign of mourning, either for a loved one lost or grown from Passover to Pentecost on behalf of the Jewish people.

Christianity: God is often depicted as having a flowing white beard, and Jesus, most often, has a darker one. No eternal, blanket understanding about facial hair arose, but smaller groups, such as the Orthodox churches, developed traditions about men keeping beards. In the modern world, men may or may not adhere to them. Some groups ascribe particular meaning to beards. Amish men, for example, may grow beards as a sign of being married. Just a beard, though, -- a mustache is seen as frivolous or militaristic.

Islam: The Prophet Muhammad himself had a beard and prescribed them for his male followers. Different styles of beards are allowed, and some reflect cultural differences. Muslims may disagree on whether it's permissible to trim a beard, but Muhammad said that a moustache should be trimmed so that it didn't get wet when a man took a drink of water. Cutting hair is a different story. Muhammad himself had long and short hair at different times of his life.

Buddhism: A goal is to dissociate from the material world and its distractions, and hair is often a subject of pride or vanity. Buddhist monks and nuns may shave their heads, as an outward sign of renouncing the world. Shaven heads and faces are associated with cleanliness. Some Western teachers avoid shaved heads because they can create discomfort in the general population.

Rastafarianism: Their characteristic dreadlocks express their pride in African hair and are allowed to grow free-form, uncombed and untreated after washing. They are in keeping with a Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament law for Nazarites, a group of people who are consecrated or set apart. Numbers 6:5 says "no razor shall come upon the head ... they shall be holy; they shall let the locks of the head grow long." Sikh music videos

Taaj from satdeepsingh on Vimeo.

PARTITION

A motion picture about the Sikhs