| Part of a series on Sikh practices and discipline |
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| Five Banis · Five Ks · Five Evils · Five Virtues · Simran · Sewa · Three pillars | |
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Sikh practices are simple, precise and practical guidelines laid out by the Gurus for the practice of the "Sikh way of life". A Sikh is required by the Sikh Gurus to live a disciplined life by doing pure and righteous deeds and actions The initiated Sikh is asked by the Panj Piare during the Amrit Sanchar ceremony to recite the following five banis every morning as a commitment to the Sikh Gurus "Five K" can also refer to a five-kilometer distance in long-distance running or other sports Five evils or five thieves (panchadosh or panj vikar as they are referred to in Sikh Scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, are according to Sikhism In Sikhism, the Five Virtues are fundamental qualities which one should develop in order to reach Mukti, or to reunite or merge with God For the Indian film actor see Simran Bagga. Simran is a Sanskrit word meaning 'realization of that which is of the highest The Three Pillars of Sikhism were formalised by Guru Nanak as The Guru led the Sikhs directly to practise Simran and Naam Japna —meditation Sikhism was established by Guru Nanak over the period of 1469 to 1708. The Gurus emphasise that a Sikh should lead a disciplined life engaged in Naam Simran, meditation on God's name, Kirat Karni, living a honest life of a house-holder, and Wand kay Shako, sharing what one has with the community. Nām Japō ( Gurmukhi ਨਾਮ ਜਪੋ refers to the Meditation, vocal singing of Hymns from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib or of the various Kirat Karō is one of three primary pillars of Sikhism the others being Naam Japo and Wand kay Shako. In Sikhism, Vaṇḍ Chakkō (ਵੰਡ ਛੱਕੋ is one of the three main pillars of the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of This translates into hard work, honest living, love of fellow humans and through them service of the God, the primal power. This way of life is said to have been stripped of complications, myths, jargon, rituals and exploitation of man by man in the name of religion. No benefits are gained by where and to which family the person is born to – All have to undertake the rigours of Simran (meditation) and Sewa (selfless service ) to progress spiritually. For the Indian film actor see Simran Bagga. Simran is a Sanskrit word meaning 'realization of that which is of the highest The Sri Guru Adi Granth asks the Sikh to "Practice truth, contentment and kindness; this is the most excellent way of life. One who is so blessed by the Formless Lord God renounces selfishness, and becomes the dust of all. (3) ( [SGGS] page 51 (1))
The Sikh is required to undertake the following observances:
Disciplined life
- Wake up early in the morning.
- Bathing and cleansing of the body should be performed.
- Cleanse the mind by spending some time meditating on God.
- Engage in family life and address your responsibilities within the family.
- Attend to a work or study routine and earn a living by earnest means.
- Undertake to help the less well off with monetary and/or physical help.
- Exercise your responsibilities to the community and take active part in the maintenance and safeguard of the community.
Personal regulations
- Wear the 5Ks
- Kesh – long and uncut hair and a turban to protect the hair on the head. "Five K" can also refer to a five-kilometer distance in long-distance running or other sports In Sikhism, Kesh (sometimes Kes) is the practice of allowing one's hair to grow naturally as a symbol of respect for the perfection of God's creation The turban (from Persian fa دلبند or دولبند dulband via the Turkish tr tülbent) is a headdress consisting of a long
- Kanga – small comb to be used twice daily to keep the hair in clean and healthy condition. The Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanchar in 1699 to wear a small comb called a Kanga at all times
- Kaccha – underwear in the form of shorts to exercise self-control. Kachera/Kaccha ( Punjabi: ਕਛ are an undergarment which looks similar to boxer shorts
- Kara – a steel slave bangle on the dominant arm to remind the Sikh to always remember the Guru before undertaking any action. Kara (or Kada or Karra) is an iron Bangle, worn by both male and female baptized Sikhs It is one of the five Kakars &ndash
- Kirpan – a short, often dagger-sized sword to remind the Sikh that he is to defend against repression of the weak. The Kirpan (kɪrˈpɑn (ਕਿਰਪਾਨ kirpān) is a ceremonial sword or dagger that must be worn by all baptised Sikhs ( Khalsa) after A dagger (from Vulgar Latin: 'daca' - a Dacian Knife) is a typically double-edged blade used for Stabbing or thrusting
- Meditate by reciting his Gurbani and by singing his Kirtan (music based hymns) and remember Him always. Gurbani is the term used by Sikhs to refer to any compositions of the Gurus Kirtan ( Sanskrit - "to repeat" is call-and-response chanting performed in India's devotional traditions
- Wash your mind clean with Sewa, selfless service to the community by doing manual work at the Gurdwara by cleaning the dishes, washing the floors, painting the walls; working in Community Centres; in old peoples homes, etc.
- Practice Truth at all times: To live by the Gurus instruction to practice Truth thus: "Those who practice Truth reap the profits, abiding in the Will of God. With the Merchandise of Truth, they meet the Guru, who does not have a trace of greed. (6)" (SGGS page 59 (2)) and also "O Siblings of Destiny, follow the Guru's Teachings and dwell in truth. Practice truth, and only truth, and merge in the True Word of the Shabad. ||1||Pause||" (SGGS page 30 (3))
- Be kind and merciful to others: Kindness is a virtue that the Sikh have been asked to exercise at all times. The Gurus have shown on many occasion how to practise and live a life of kindness and mercy and have the following message for the keen devotee: "Become 'Jivan-Mukta', liberated while yet alive, by meditating on the Lord of the Universe, O mind, and maintaining faith in Him in your heart. Show kindness and mercy to all (sentient) beings, and realize that the Lord is pervading everywhere; this is the way of life of the enlightened soul, the supreme swan. ||7||" (SGGS page 508 (4))
- Become a Gurmukh by doing Good deeds: The Sikh Gurus repeatedly ask the dedicated Sikh to always do good deeds as shown by this verse from the Guru Granth Sahib - "The Gurmukh practices doing good deeds; thus he comes to understand this mind. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ gurū granth sāhib) or Guru Granth Sahib, is the eleventh and eternal Guru of the The mind is like an elephant, drunk with wine. The Guru is the rod which controls it, and shows it the way. ||2||" (SGGS page 159 (5))
Community practices
- Organise Gurdwaras: As a community the Sikh need to setup a local place of worship called a Gurdwara. Services need to held in the morning and evening including:
- Asa-di-war kirtan
- Sukhmani sahib paath
- Akhandh Paath
- Ardas and Hukamnama
- Kirtan programs
- Naming Ceremony
- Marriage Ceremony
- Antim Sanskar
- Amrit Ceremony, etc
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