The Religions Book

T

he Sikh religion was

founded by Guru Nanak,

a devoutly spiritual man

who became disillusioned with

the Hinduism that had surrounded

him when he was growing up in

a village near Lahore (in modern

Pakistan) in the 15th century.

Islam had also influenced this

area since the 10th century,

and its importance grew as the

Mughal empire in India expanded.

Guru Nanak viewed the Hindu

emphasis on ritual, pilgrimage,

and reverence for prophets and

holy men as a hindrance to what

he considered most important—our

relationship with God. Although

he used many different names

for God, he recognized him as

one omnipresent, transcendent

divinity, similar to the concept of

Brahman in Hinduism. Following

a revelation from God when he

was around 30 years old, Nanak

devoted his life to preaching the

path to salvation. He argued that

the way in which believers conduct

their lives is an integral part of

achieving unity with God and

finding salvation. After accepting

the title of guru, or teacher, from his

followers, he went on to become

the first of a succession of 10

Sikh gurus, whose teachings are

collected in the Sikh holy book,

the Adi Granth. This book came

to be considered as the 11th and

final guru of Sikhism, and is known

as the Guru Granth Sahib (p.303).

Nanak’s followers became known

as Sikhs, from the Sanskrit word for

learner or disciple, guided in their

way of life by God and the gurus.

Finding God in a good life

Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in the

cycle of death and rebirth. However,

they take a different view of the

purpose of human life. For the Sikh,

the aim is not to attain a place in

paradise, since there is no final

destination of heaven or hell.

Instead, Sikhism teaches that

being born human is a God-given

opportunity to take the path to

salvation, which follows five stages,

from sinning to achieving freedom

from the cycle of death and rebirth.

The five stages are: wrongdoing;

devotion to God; spiritual union

with God; attainment of eternal

bliss; and freedom from rebirth.

To make the most of this

opportunity, Sikhs follow a strict

code of conduct and conventions,

THE SIKH CODE OF CONDUCT

IN CONTEXT

KEY FIGURE

Guru Nanak

WHEN AND WHERE

15th–16th century, India

BEFORE

6th century BCE Jainism and

Buddhism reject the Hindu

concept of a just war, arguing

for absolute nonviolence.

7th century CE The Qur’an

contains verses that suggest

war in the defense of the faith

and the faithful is righteous.

AFTER

1699 The Sikh Khalsa order

sets out the conditions and

principles justifying conflict.

18th century Sikh armies

engage in war with the

Mughal and Afghan empires.

1799 The Sikh kingdom

of Punjab is established.

1947 The partition of India

and Pakistan splits Punjab and

sparks religious tension.

298

A good Sikh should:

We must live as saint-soldiers.

Conquer the

five vices.

Wear the five

articles of faith.

Keep God in

mind at all times.

Defend the

faith and protect

the weak and

oppressed.