Main Principles
The word “Sikh” means disciple. Sikhism is the path of discipleship—living unattached to worldly things (like the lotus above water) while serving family and community with a pure, moral life. Fasting, austerities, pilgrimages, alms-giving and penances are not ends in themselves.
Bhagat (Love of God)
- Control of mind and subordination
- Filial piety
- Subjugation of passions
- Abstinence
- Association with saints
- Cultivation of truth
- All human beings are equal
Salvation / Mukti
Salvation is God’s initiative, not the result of deeds. The goal of human life is union with the Divine—like a spark merging into fire. Naam (the True Name) ends suffering. Sikhism rejects life-long renunciation; instead, it teaches honest work, sharing, and remembrance of God.
God
Strict monotheism: God alone is the Creator—Eternal Reality, both nirgun (without attributes) and sargun (with attributes), immanent and transcendent. “Without fear, without hatred, beyond time and unborn; self-existent. By Guru’s grace is He obtained.”
Guru
“The Guru’s word is a torch that shows the way; the Guru is the ship that carries us across.” Miracles or occult display are not the Guru’s purpose.
Naam Simran
A Gurmukh meditates on God’s Name while living in the world, remaining steady amid temptations through the Guru’s guidance.
Sangat (Congregation)
Where the saints meet and sing God’s praises, God’s presence abides; the congregation is the true temple.
Sewa (Service)
Selfless service brings honour, bliss, and the remembrance of God. “Blessed is he who serves.”
Brotherhood of Mankind
All humans are equal—beyond caste, colour, race, or wealth. “Recognize all mankind as one human race.”
Righteousness
“Truth is the highest of all virtues, but higher still is truthful living.” Truth, mercy, fearlessness, and freedom from hatred mark the righteous.
God’s Grace
Salvation, devotion, honour, and union are all by God’s grace.
God and His Saints
Without God’s grace none can be saved, sing His praises, or serve His saints.
Ideal of Woman
Woman is an equal partner and the mother of humanity: “Why call her bad? From her, kings are born.”
Peace of Mind
“If one is in peace, the world is in peace; if one is in distress, the world is in distress.”
Religious Tolerance
God’s light is in all: “There is no Hindu and no Musalman; all are God’s people.”
Pilgrimages
The true pilgrimage is the cleansing of the mind and service of the holy.
Holy Scripture
Guru Granth Sahib—the hymns of the Gurus and saints—is the eternal Guru of the Sikhs.
Hukam (God’s Will)
“O Nanak, everything happens by His Will; none is beyond His Will.”
Fear of God
True fear of God nurtures true love of God.
Humility
With humility, one has everything; without it, nothing.
Service of Humanity
To serve humanity is to serve God.
Self-Control
Self-mastery is mastery of one’s world.
Guru’s Word
The Guru’s Word ferries the seeker across the ocean of life.
Education
True education makes a person humble and devoted to service.