Sikhism is a religion that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent around the end of the 15th century CE. Here are some key points about Sikhism:
-
Beliefs: Sikhs believe in the oneness of all beings and the equality of everyone. The Sikh faith is a monotheistic religion, meaning Sikhs worship one God. Sikhs believe in spiritual devotion and reverence of God at all times while practicing the ideals of honesty, compassion, humility, and generosity in everyday life.
-
Founder: Guru Nanak was the first Guru and was born in the 15th century in the Punjab region of India. Nine more Gurus succeeded Guru Nanak, and continued to spread his teachings across the world. Guru Gobind Singh was the last Guru; he named the Sikh sacred text, the Guru Granth Sahib, to be the eternal Guru that would guide the Sikhs going forward.
-
Practices: Sikhs practice meditation, selfless service, and the recitation of Gods name. They also follow the Five Ks, which are five articles of faith that baptized Sikhs are required to wear at all times. These include Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (a wooden comb), Kara (a steel bracelet), Kachera (cotton underwear), and Kirpan (a small sword) .
-
Appearance: Sikh males can be easily distinguished by their turban, unshorn hair and beard, a steel/iron bangle called Kara, and kirpan. Sikh females wear a traditional “chunni” (long scarf used for head covering) over their head and across their shoulders.
-
Population: There are more than 25 million Sikhs worldwide, making it the world's fifth-largest religion. The majority of Sikhs live in the Punjab region of India, but there are also significant Sikh communities in other parts of the world, including the United States.
Sikhs advocate equality, social justice, service to humanity, and tolerance for other religions. They believe in freedom of religion, community service, and inclusiveness. At temples, or gurdwaras, where Sikhs hold services, everyone is welcome.
