How to Be a Sikh: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2023)

FAQs

What are 5 things not to do in Sikhism? ›

Non-family-oriented living: Sikhs are discouraged from living as a recluse, beggar, yogi, monastic (monk/nun), or celibate. Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip, lying, slander, "backstabbing," et cetera, are not permitted.

The Five K's are the markers of Sikh identity, and they consist of: uncut hair, a short sword or knife, a steel wristband, a wooden comb, and shorts worn as an undergarment.

The number 13 has special significance in Sikh thought. In the Punjabi language, the number 13 is pronounced as “Tera” which is also the same word as “Yours”. The Gurus used “Yours” to refer to Waheguru and the Creation that includes us all.

Some Sikhs are vegetarian. The religion allows individual choice about meat consumption. However, it is forbidden to eat meat from animals slaughtered according to religious guidelines, and therefore Sikhs do not eat halal or kosher meat. Sikhs do not consume alcohol.

They are required to wear the Five Ks and to avoid four particular sins: cutting one's hair, eating halal meat, having sexual intercourse with anyone other than one's spouse, and using tobacco. The Sikh who commits any of these cardinal sins must publicly confess and be reinitiated.

Setting this protocol as per the Rehat maryada (official Sikh code of conduct), the gurdwara also says that a Sikh and a non-Sikh can only tie the nuptial knot only if the non-Sikh partner agrees to embrace Sikhism after marriage.

Since 1699, about two centuries after the founding of the religion, Sikh leaders have prohibited their members from cutting their hair, saying long hair is a symbol of Sikh pride. The turban was conceived to manage the long hair and intended to make Sikhs easily identifiable in a crowd.

“Religious symbols and Gurbani verses ought to be respected, not flaunted in such disrespectful manner. We appeal to the masses to refrain from engraving the Sikh religious symbols on their body,” said SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami.

How is a Sikh baby's name chosen? ›

Naming the child

The first letter of the first word on that page decides the first letter of the child's name. The parents then choose the name, which is announced by the granthi to the congregation. Although many Sikhs use their family name, some decide to use the names Kaur or Singh .

Kara - a steel bracelet

A symbol that a Sikh is linked to the Guru. It acts as a reminder that a Sikh should not do anything of which the Guru would not approve. A symbol of God having no beginning or end.

2. Do women wear turbans, too? Among Sikhs, the turban has traditionally been worn by men, while women cover their heads with a long scarf called a chunni or dupatta.

It means: 'You and Me, Me and You are One'. 11 –11 -11 is a good excuse for getting together and sharing, whether that is for a party, or meditating together, or any other pleasing activity. Look out for the opportunity to join in local efforts.

Pink and Red are associated with spring and are worn during that season or for marriage ceremonies. Orange and Navy Blue are traditional Sikh Khalsa colors, also worn on days of religious observance or special commemorative events.

"Amritdhari" Sikhs (i.e. those that follow the Sikh Rehat Maryada - the Official Sikh Code of Conduct) can eat meat (provided it is not Kutha meat). "Amritdharis" that belong to some Sikh sects (e.g. Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Damdami Taksal, Namdhari) are vehemently against the consumption of meat and eggs.

However, vegetarian Sikhs do consume dairy products. Sikhs who are not vegetarian may choose to abstain from eating pork or beef. However, all Sikhs are prohibited from eating any meat that has been ritually slaughtered including halal or kosher meats4.

Diet. Sikhs who have taken Amrit (baptised) are vegetarians. They will exclude from their diet eggs, fish and any ingredients with animal derivatives or cooked in animal fat. Dairy produce is acceptable providing it is free from animal fat e.g. cheese made from non animal rennet.

Sikhs are thus not allowed to eat any food prepared through a ritualistic process. Sikhs are not meant to eat Kosher (Jewish food prepared by a special ritual/process), or Halaal (Muslim meat prepared with a special ritual). Sikhs are also not supposed to drink alcohol or consume any other intoxicants.

The Three Golden Rules which Sikhs follow are to remember God constantly, to earn an honest livelihood, and to share their earnings with everyone through charity. Sikhs show commitment to their faith by adopting a way of life which requires them to wear the Five K's.

Is divorce a sin in Sikhism? ›

There is no concept or Maryada (code) of divorce in the Sikh religion. Civil divorce is considered a very grave matter. When the marriage takes place the husband and wife agree in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to stay with each other and love and honor each other for life.

You can show your hair as a Sikh

"In the Sikh tradition there is no prohibition of showing your hair. It's not that hair cannot be seen. It's an identity, as opposed to having to cover your hair."

In Sikhism, there is no place for polygamy and polyandry. Sikh Gurus advocated the institution of monogamous marriage. Marriage in Sikhism is not a social contract. It is blissful and sacred union of two human beings.

Marrying people of other faiths is acceptable, they say, but conducting that marriage in a Sikh temple is not. Non-Sikhs can only be involved if they accept the Sikh faith and change their name to include Singh or Kaur, the council insists.

For this reason by practitioners they are kept with the utmost respect. This includes regular maintenance of hair which includes but is not limited to combing at least twice daily, washing regularly and not allowing for public touching.

Sikhs. The Sikh religion forbids cutting or shaving any bodily hair. Orthodox Sikhs always carry a dagger with them, lest someone try to force them to do something against their religion.

Yes. Sections 11 and 12 of the Employment Act 1989 as amended by Section 6 of the Deregulation Act 2015 exempts turban-wearing Sikhs from any legal requirement to wear head protection at a workplace.

Tobacco use is strictly prohibited in Sikhism and is considered a taboo in this religion, which leads users to deny and conceal their tobacco use status; in such cases, any intervention for cessation should harp on the tenets of Sikhism to reinforce an effort.

Joura, this rule means that Sikh believers, women included, should refrain from “chopping, trimming, shaving, waxing or even tweezing their hair.” While there are no penalties as such, doing otherwise is “considered disrespectful to the religion,” says Mr. Joura.

In the early 19th century, Punjab was under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He was fond of wearing earrings and it became a symbol of royalty for the men of Punjab to wear them. It became a distinguished feature of Punjabi men to wear earrings with turban on their heads.

What are the 5 things Sikh must carry? ›

What are the Sikh Articles of Faith? Initiated Sikhs are required to carry/maintain at all times: kesh (unshorn hair covered by a turban), kara (steel bracelet), kanga (small wooden comb), kacchera (undershorts), and a kirpan (resembles a knife/sword).

Life After Death: Sikhs believe that upon death one merges back into the universal nature, just as a drop of rain merges back into the ocean. Individuality is lost. Sikhs do not believe in heaven or hell.

Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world. The word Hindu is an exonym although many practitioners refer to their religion as Sanātana Dharma (Sanskrit: सनातन धर्म, lit.

Charhdi Kala Bakshe - It is blessings of sikh to others that God will always keep in high spirits. When thanking someone "Rabb Charhdi Kala Bakshe".

Sikh given names are gender neutral, generally formed of a prefix and a suffix (ex. Har/jeet/). There is however, a gender connotation attached when pronouncing a name, say Parkāśh for example; it may be either male or female, but /parakāśō/ is female while /parakāśū/ is male.

All male Sikhs carry the surname Singh, while all females are named Kaur. It is a radical expression of unity.

Sikhs are allowed to carry the kirpan onboard domestic flights in India. The full length of the Kirpan shouldn't exceed 23 cm (9 inches) long and the length of the blade shouldn't exceed 15 cm (6 inches) long.

Gold isn't used as a Kara. Gold is a malleable metal. It's not the right type of metal for a Kara as a Kara should be strong. A Kara should be worn around your wrist.

Kara or Kada is a thick metal ring or bracelet usually worn on the hands or wrists of men and women in India.

The Sikh Code of Conduct states "For a Sikh, there is no restriction or requirement as to dress except that he must wear Kachera and turban." Kachera is a drawer type fastened by a fitted string round the waist, very often worn as an underwear.

Are Sikhs vegetarian? ›

Many Sikhs are vegetarian and meat should never be served at langar. Those who do eat meat are unlikely to include beef in their diet, at least in India, because of their cultural proximity to Hindus. In general Sikhism has adopted an ambivalent attitude towards meat eating as against vegetarianism.

In Sikhism, followers don't cut or shave hair on any part of the body as a sign of respect and dedication to their religion and God's will. This includes a man's beard and shaving it off is a sign you aren't a practicing Sikh.

Adi Granth, (Punjabi: “First Book”) also called Granth or Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of Sikhism, a religion of India.

Sikhs believe there is only one God, which is genderless and eternal. They refer to God as Waheguru. Sikhs believe in rebirth and karma, meaning their religion is a way of life and that in every action, they should remember God.

In Sikhism, a person gains good and bad karma throughout their life. Karma determines what happens to that individual's atma in the next life. Sikhs believe that: Positive and moral actions lead to good karma, and negative and immoral actions lead to bad karma.

Pink and red turbans are often worn at weddings, it is a traditional attire for the groom, with the colours being considered auspicious for the marriage, showing new beginnings filled with prosperity.

Indian religions

Sikh infants are not circumcised. Sikhism does not require circumcision of either males or females, and criticizes the practice.

Saffron holds symbolic meaning in Sikhism, representing spirit and sacrifice. Originally a shade of yellow called basanti, the field of the modern Nishan Sahib is saffron.

No alcohol, cigarettes or meat are to be in the vicinity of Guru Granth Sahib and Gurdwara.

"The Bench Book states that Sikhs 'may choose to affirm or swear an oath'. It explains, in paragraph 32 of the religion chapter that: 'assumptions should not be made that a religious individual who chooses to affirm has done so because he or she does not intend to tell the truth'.

Is drinking a sin in Sikhism? ›

Drinking alcohol is often associated with the Punjabi culture, but is prohibited in Sikhism. Baptised Sikhs are forbidden from drinking but some non-baptised Sikhs do consume alcohol. Whilst the vast majority of those who do drink have no problem, a small number of Punjabi Sikh women are affected.

Sikhs are subjected to neither restriction. They can eat pork and beef if they wish. Are any such restrictions regarding any other animals applicable to Sikhs (other than the jhatka requirements)? [NOTE: This is not a discussion on the why's and wherefore's of jhatka, or on the merits of vegetarianism.

Sin is a definace of the Moral Law. In order to avoid vice, we must be able to recognize vice itself than develop the will to overcome it. In Sikhism, ther are five cardinal vices: Kam(Lust), Krodh(Anger), Lobh(Greed), Moh(Wordly attachment), Ahankar (Pride). These are the great enemies of man and cause much suffering.

In Sikhi, we understand that the Guru forgives all of our sins. When we receive Amrit (Nectar of Immortality), we are told that from now on all your Paap (Sins) have been wiped out. It does not mean that you have lost all your bad habits.

Guru Ji is forgiving and always benevolent upon anybody who seeks forgiveness. The mindset that we should have is “I may have failed in these great ideas but I would like to carry on trying”. The thing that gets us up is to realize that the truth and the wisdom of the Gurus are still here.

Their Sikh faith forbids them from cutting their hair, as their hair is considered sacred. Sikh men wear turbans to protect their hair; the turbans also carry a symbolic value of their own. Men also grow beards.

This article will discuss if Sikhs can have an interfaith marriage. Firstly, a Sikh can have an interfaith marriage by the law. However, a Sikh can't have an interfaith marriage in the Gurdwara going around Guru Granth Sahib Ji.