Sikhism

Sikhism is a monotheistic and revealed religion.  It was founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region of India by Guru Nanak Dev and is currently the fifth-largest organized religion in the world with over 25 million Sikhs. Punjab is the only region in the world with a majority Sikh population.

In Sikhi, God is shapeless, timeless, and sightless. God is omnipresent and infinite with power over everything, and is signified by the term 'Ik Onkar'. Sikhs believe that before creation, all that existed was God and God's hukam (will or order).  While a full understanding of God is beyond human beings, Nanak described God as not wholly unknowable. God is omnipresent in all creation and visible everywhere to the spiritually awakened. Nanak stressed that God must be seen from "the inward eye", or the "heart", of a human being: devotees must meditate to progress towards enlightenment.

Sikhs are expected to embody the qualities of a "Sant-Sipahie" - the saint-soldier. One must have control over one's internal vices and be able to be constantly immersed in virtues clarified in the Guru Granth Sahib. A Sikh must also have the courage to defend the rights of all who are wrongfully oppressed or persecuted irrespective of religion, color, caste or creed.

The principal beliefs of Sikhi are faith, justice and one God.  Sikhi advocates the pursuit of salvation through personal meditation on the name and message of God. The essence of Sikh teaching is summed up by Nanak in these words: "Realization of Truth is higher than all else. Higher still is truthful living".  Sikh teaching emphasizes the principle of equality of all humans and rejects discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, and gender.

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