The Religions Book

303

See also: God-consciousness 122–23 ■ Gender and the covenant 199 ■ The Sikh
code of conduct 296–301 ■ Cao Ðài aims to unify all faiths 316

MODERN RELIGIONS

Sikhs do not need to perform any
particular rituals or undertake
pilgrimages, but they are expected
to show their devotion to God in
their everyday lives. It is not even
a requirement to worship at the
gurdwara. These temples serve as
social centers and exemplify the
notion of community spirit that is
such an important component of
Sikhism. For Sikhs, anyone who
believes in and worships one God

follows the same path as Sikhism,

and their faith deserves respect.

Sikhs regard an individual’s

religion to be largely the result

of the culture in which he or

she was brought up: Hindus,

Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs

have a common inspiration, but

the particular form this takes is

determined by society. For this

reason, Sikhs do not attempt to

convert people of other faiths. ■

The Guru Granth

Sahib

The central religious text

of Sikhism is a collection of

hymns and verses compiled

and written by the succession

of 10 Sikh gurus, the leaders of

the faith, who lived between

1469 and 1708. This collection

consists of some 1,430 pages,

or angs, of their teachings.

The first version of the book,

known as the Adi Granth,

was compiled by the fifth

guru, Guru Arjan Dev, from

the sayings and writings of

his predecessors, and was

added to by subsequent

gurus. Guru Gobind Singh,

the 10th guru, completed the

text and nominated it, rather

than another human leader,

as his successor, calling it

“the embodiment of the

gurus,” and giving it the title

Guru Granth Sahib. Unlike its

predecessors, this “11th guru”

is available for all to consult,

and a copy takes a place of

pride in every gurdwara, or

Sikh temple. Originally written

in a specially devised script,

Gurmukhi, in a mixture of

dialects collectively known

as Sant Bhasha, it has since

been translated into several

modern languages.

All beings and creatures

are His; He belongs to all.

Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Gobind Singh

abolished all social divisions

in the order of Khalsa, so that

Sikhism is open to...

...people of all castes

and nationalities.

Sikhs believe that all religions

that worship one God are valid...

...and that the salvation shown

in the Guru Granth Sahib

is available to all.

All may enter our gateway to God.

...both men

and women equally.