Principles of Sikhism
Naam Japna
Remembering God through meditation all times a day and night during each and every activity
Kirat Karo
Earning a livelihood by means of earnest, honest efforts and endeavors
Vand Chhakko
Selflessly serving others, sharing income and resources including foodstuffs or other goods
Salvation/Mukti
The man of God rejects salvation. He wants only love of God and nothing else
Need of Guru
Almost all the great religions of the world emphasize the need of a preceptor or Guru or holy man for the attainment of salvation
Reading of Scriptures
Scriptures are our guides for action
They cannot fill the disciple with divine love
The knowledge of Vedas does not bring liberation: “God is beyond the Vedas, beyond the holy books”. He can be found within the self by digging inward
Grace and Karma
The modification of Karma by grace is an essential principle of Sikhism
Karma is the cause of birth in this world but salvation can be obtained by His Grace
Caste and Sikhism
Sikhism has no belief in cast
No man is born great or low
All colours and forms are thine
A person of high caste is worse than one of the lowest caste if he does not meditate on the Name of God
Pilgrimage
According to Sikh religion, pilgrimage confers no spiritual benefit. All Gurus have tried to remove the wrong notion of the efficacy of pilgrimage
The Concept of Woman
The Gurus held woman in high esteem. So with the rise of Sikhism, woman gained in dignity and social position.
Of a woman we are conceived,
Of a woman we are born,
Why should we consider women cursed and condemned,
When from woman are born leaders and rulers.
(Rag Asa, I)