The Sikh faith, or Sikhi, is one of the major world religions, and is considered of the newer faiths, having formed in 16th century northern India. The word “Sikh”  means “disciple” or “learner,” and the system of religious philosophy and expression we Sikhs follow is traditionally known as the Gurmat (literally “the counsel of the Gurus”) or Sikh Dharma. Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhi. He was born in 1469 in  Nankana Sahib, a village near Lahore in present-day Pakistan. Our faith system is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak and ten successive Sikh Gurus (the last one being our scriptures, the Siri Guru Granth Sahib). Sikhism is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world. 

Sikh Dharma is a spiritual path for those who are looking to answer the eternal question: “Who am I, and what am I here for?” Like all spiritual traditions, Sikhs have a lineage and legacy, guidelines and philosophies, masters, saints and history. But primarily, the Sikh way of life offers a down-to-earth spiritual path for every-day people.

The principle belief of Sikhism is faith in the Infinite or WaheGuru — represented by the sacred symbol of ik ōaṅkār, often translated to mean “Universal God.” Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the of the name and message of God. A key distinctive feature of Sikhism is a non-anthropomorphic concept of God, to the extent that one can interpret God as the Universe itself.

Sikhs follow the teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus, or enlightened leaders, and our scriptural text, the Siri Gurū Granth Sāhib.  Our Scriptures are composed of writings of six of the ten Sikh Gurus as well as Hindu (Vedantic) and Sufi devotees from diverse socio-economic.  Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru, decreed that the scripture, the Siri Guru Granth Sahib would be the final guru of the Sikhs, the Khalsa Panth. The Siri Guru Granth Sahib has a devotional yet practical message which is delivered in poetry and song.

For more information on Sikhism, please contact our Gurdwara Jathadarni, Siri Sevak Kaur Khalsa.

Resources

Online resources for more information about Sikhism and the Sikh way of life include:

Sikh Dharma
Sikh Dharma International is dedicated to serving humanity by sharing the teachings and technology of the sacred path of Sikh Dharma as taught by the ten Sikh Gurus. We support the spiritual development of the individual and the global collective consciousness through the practice of Shabad Guru, meditation, and Kundalini Yoga.

Sikhnet
The largest Sikh website, receiving over 20,000 visits every day. Popular features include Daily Hukamnama, daily SikhNet News, khalsa.com email, SikhNet radio, the Gurbani Archive, Childrens Stories, Featured Videos, Sikhiwiki, the Siri Guru Granth Sahib online and downloads (Bani files, kirtan audios, Sikhism wallpapers, Gurmukhi Fonts, etc.).

Sikhiwiki
Online encyclopedia of Sikhism containing 6,000 articles

Sikhi to the Max
Gurbani resources including fonts, an online Siri Guru Granth Sahib,  a searchable Siri Guru Granth Sahib for your computer, Sikh games.

Sikh Coalition
U.S.-based organization working toward civil and human rights for all people.

Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
The oldest Sikh American civil rights and educational organization. We empower Sikh Americans through advocacy, education and media relations.