Sikhism is a monotheistic religion formed in the Punjab region of present-day India and Pakistan during the 16th century and is based on the writings of its founder Guru Nanek Dev. While Sikhism is heavily influenced by Hinduism and Islam and retains many aspects of both faiths, it is its own distinct religion.
Sikhs believe in the equality of all people and their equal, direct access to God. They stress the importance of living a good life of honesty and caring for others over rituals and traditional practices. Like many religions native to India, Sikhs believe that they are reincarnated into a cycle of birth, life, and rebirth. Rebirth depends on the law of karma, and the only way to escape the cycle of rebirth is through direct knowledge of and unity with God.
The 3 duties of a Sikh are to pray, work, and give. The 5 cardinal vices are lust, anger, greed, worldly attachment, and pride.
Distinctive Dress
Unique to Sikh dress are the turban and the 5 K's. The 5 K's are the physical symbols worn Sikhs and include: kesh (uncut hair), kara (a steel bracelet), kanga (a wooden comb), kaccha (cotton underwear), and kirpan (ceremonial steel sword). Each item has its own significance as well as identifies a Sikh as a member of the Sikh community, or khalsa.
Spiritual Leaders: Granthi, Giani
Place of Worship: Temple, Gurdwara “Gateway to guru”
Language of Origin: Punjabi
By The Numbers:
200,000 Sikhs in the U.S.
23 million worldwide
