Sikh faith

The essence of Sikhism

Sikhism was established in the sixteenth century in northern India by Nanak - the original Guru and religious leader - who offered spiritual guidance to his disciples. The religion is based around the teachings of the Ten Gurus who each played a significant role in establishing the faith. Instead of appointing a human successor, Gobind Aingh, the Tenth Guru, decided that the scriptures of the Gurus should become the religion's final teacher and the Guru Granth Holy Scripture was established.

The principal belief in Sikhism is faith in one God. Sikhs search for salvation through personal meditation, the ten Sikh Gurus and the Holy Scripture and not through a human, physical form of God. Sikhs believe in reincarnation and that they may have existed in other forms in a previous life. However, it is only the human incarnation that can experience the love of God.

Practicing the faith

Observant Sikhs recite daily from specific passages of the Guru Granth after rising and bathing. Sikhs worship both at home and at a Gurdwara temple (meaning the door of the Guru) and Gurdwaras are open to all, regardless of religion, background, caste or race.

Sikhs enter the temple, touch the ground before the holy scriptures with their foreheads, and make an offering. The ardas, which recalls past sufferings and glories of the community, is also recited upon entering the temple.

Significant features of Sikhism

The festivals of Sikhism mostly centre around the lives, birthdays or celebrations of Guru and Sikh martyrs. Nanak stressed that a Sikh should balance work, worship, and charity, and should defend the rights of all creatures, particularly fellow human beings. Sikh teachings also stress the concept of sharing through the distribution of free food at Gurdwaras, giving charitable donations, and working to improve the community.

Upon a child's birth, the Guru Granth is opened randomly and the child is named using the first letter on the top left-hand corner of the left page. Boys are given the surname Singh (lion) and girls Kaur (princess)

Baptised Sikhs wear the Five Ks (symbols of faith) at all times. The tenth guru, Gobind Singh, believed the Five Ks would make a difference to their own and to others' spirituality. Kesh means uncut hair to indicate the perfection of God's creation and many Sikh men therefore have beards. Kanga is a small comb which is used to groom and fix the hair in place in the turban and symbolises cleanliness. Kara is an iron bracelet worn on the dominant hand which symbolises a link with the Gurus. Kaccha are undergarments which symbolise control and Kirpan is a miniature sword which symbolises power and freedom of spirit.

Sikhism in Bury

Worldwide, Sikhs number more than 23 million and the majority of Sikhs outside Punjab reside in Britain. Bury has a growing Sikh community.

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