Outline of Sikhism

Updated on Oct 02, 2024

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The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Sikhism:

Sikhism – monotheistic religion founded in the fifteenth century upon the teachings of Guru Nanak and ten succeeding Gurus (the last one being the sacred text Guru Granth Sahib), emphasizing universal, selfless love and brotherhood. "Only those who selflessly love everyone, they alone shall find God". It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing.

Nature of Sikhism

The Khanda is the symbol of Sikhism.

Baptised or Khalsa Sikhs wear the Five Ks:

Kesh - uncut hair

Kangha - a comb

Kara - a circular steel bracelet

Kirpan - a sword

Kacchera - short, shalwar-like loose undergarments with a tie-knot

Sikh scripture

Bani - Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib

Mul Mantar

Laavaan - the four hymns of the Anand Karaj or wedding ceremony

Sawayya - One of the morning prayers.

Sohila or Kirtan Sohila

Tav-Prasad Savaiye

Varan Bhai Gurdas

Guru Granth Sahib

Anand Sahib

Asa ki Var - 24 stanzas used as a morning prayer

Japji Sahib - the opening of the Guru Granth Sahib: the Mul Mantar followed by 38 hymns and a final salok

Kirtan Sohila

Rehras - the evening prayer

Shabad Hazare

Sukhmani Sahib - a set of hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib divided into 24 sections

Sikh religious philosophy

Sikh philosophy

Sikh beliefs

Sikh Rehat Maryada – the code of conduct put into force at the birth of Sikhism

Guru Maneyo Granth

Prohibitions in Sikhism

Sikh Practices

Simran

Selfless service (Sewa)

Three pillars of Sikhism

Naam Japo –

Kirat Karo –

Vand Chhako –

Five Thieves –

Kaam – lust

Krodh – anger, wrath

Lobh – greed

Moh – attachment

Hankaar – ego, pride

Five Virtues

Sat – Truth

Santokh – Contentment, Satisfaction

Daya – Compassion, Kindness

Nimrata – Humililty, Benevolence

Pyaar – Love

Sikh practices

Sikh Rehat Maryada –

Nanakshahi calendar –

Ardās –

Amrit – elixir of immortality - the sanctified nectar or sugar water substitute used in ceremonies. It is prepared by stirring it in an iron bowl with the double-edged sword and continuous recitation of five banis by the five selected members of the Khalsa.

Anand Karaj – Sikh marriage ceremony, meaning "Blissful Union" or "Joyful Union". It was introduced by Guru Amar Das.

Antam Sanskar –

Charhdi Kala –

Dasvand

Kirtan – call-and-response chanting

Langar – communal kitchen where free food is distributed to all comers

Nāma –

Naam Karan –

Naam Japo –

Sikh ceremonies

Naam Karan - Child's naming ceremony

Amrit Sanchar – baptism

Anand Karaj - wedding ceremony

Antam Sanskar - funeral rites

Sikh geography

Akal Takhat (Eternal Throne) - Nominal seat of Sikh temporal/political authority.

Amritsar – city of 1.5 million in the northwestern part of India. It is home to the Harmandir Sahib, known as the Golden Temple, the spiritual and cultural center of the Sikh religion.

Anandpur or Anandpur Sahib –

Harmandir Sahib - Holy shrine of the Sikhs in the holy city of Amritsar.

Kartapur - Seat of Guru Nanak's first school.

Nankana Sahib –

Samadhi of Ranjit Singh –

List of places named after Guru Gobind Singh –

Sikhism by country

Sikhism in Australia

Sikhism in Afghanistan

Sikhs in Belgium

Sikhism in Canada

Sikhs in Fiji

Sikhism in India

Sikhism in New Zealand

Sikhism in Pakistan

Sikhism in Thailand

Sikhism in the United Arab Emirates

Sikhism in the United Kingdom

Sikhism in the United States

Gurdwaras

Category:Gurdwaras

Harimandir Sahib

Gurdwaras in India

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib

Gurdwaras in Canada

Gurdwaras in the United States

Sikh Gurdwara - San Jose

Gurdwaras in Pakistan

Gurdwaras in Hong Kong

Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple

Gurdwaras in Malaysia

Gurdwara Sahib Klang

Gurdwaras in Singapore

Central Sikh Temple

Gurdwara Sahib Silat Road

Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha

Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha (Katong)

Gurdwara Khalsa Dharmak Sabha

Gurdwara Pardesi Khalsa Dharmak Diwan

Gurdwara Sahib Yishun

Sikh politics

Babbar Khalsa –

Khalistan movement – Separatist movement to create a Sikh homeland, often called Khālistān (Punjabi: ਖ਼ਾਲਿਸਤਾਨ, Hindi: ख़ालिस्तान "The Land of the Pure"), in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan

Punjab Janata Morcha –

Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal –

Shiromani Akali Dal –

Haryana State Akali Dal –

Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) –

Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal) –

Shiromani Akali Dal (Panthik) –

Shiromani Akali Dal (Simranjit Singh Mann) –

Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi –

History of Sikhism

Anti-Sikh riots - November 1984

Amritsar Massacre (Jalianwalla Bagh Massacre) - April 13, 1919

Battle of Saragarhi - Famous battle

First Anglo-Sikh War - 1845–1846

History of the Punjab

Operation Blue Star (Golden Temple Massacre) - June 1984

Second Anglo-Sikh War - 1848–1849

Sikh Confederacy –

Sikh Empire –

Sukerchakia –

Sikh culture

Punjabi language

Sikh Festivals

Sikh names

Turban

Sikh people

Sikhs - article focused on Sikh society

List of Sikhs

Amritdhari – baptized Sikh who has undergone the Khalsa ceremony. According to Sikh Reht Maryada, any person who is initiated into the Khalsa is called Amrit Dhari.

Sahajdhari - unbaptized Sikh.

Nihang - Sikhs who consume Bhang (cannabis sativa), opium and other narcotics to assist in meditation.

Panj Pyare or Panj Piare (literally the five beloved ones) - title given to five Sikhs by Guru Gobind Singh at the historic divan at Anandpur Sahib on 30 March 1699 and who formed the nucleus of the Khalsa as the first batch to receive at his hands khanda di Pahul, i.e. rites of the two-edged sword.

Bhai Daya Singh –

Bhai Dharam Singh –

Bhai Himmat Singh –

Bhai Mohkam Singh –

Bhai Sahib Singh –

Sikh Gurus

Sikh Gurus –

Guru Nanak Dev (15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539) – founder of the religion of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. The Sikhs believe that all subsequent Gurus possessed Guru Nanak’s divinity and religious authority.

Guru Angad Dev (31 March 1504 – 28 March 1552) – disciple of Guru Nanak Dev and second of the ten Sikh Gurus.

Guru Amar Das (5 May 1479 – 1 September 1574) – third of the ten Sikh Gurus, given the title on 26 March 1552 (at the age of 72).

Guru Ram Das (24 September 1534[1] – 1 September 1581) – fourth of the ten Sikh Gurus, given the title on 30 August 1574.

Guru Arjan Dev (15 April 1563 – 30 May 1606) – fifth of the ten Sikh Gurus, given the title on 1 September 1581. He was arrested and executed by Jahangir in 1606.

Guru Har Gobind (19 June 1595 – 2 March 1644) – son of Guru Arjan Dev and the sixth of the ten Sikh Gurus, given the title on 25 May 1606.

Guru Har Rai (26 February 1630 – 6 October 1661) – grandson of Guru Har Gobind and seventh of the ten Sikh Gurus, given the title on 8 March 1644.

Guru Har Krishan (7 July 1656 – 30 March 1664) – son of Guru Har Rai and eighth of the ten Sikh Gurus, given the title on 7 October 1661.

Guru Tegh Bahadur (1 April 1621 – 11 November 1675) – grand uncle of Guru Har Krishan and ninth of the ten Sikh Gurus, given the title on 20 March 1665. He was executed on the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi.

Guru Gobind Singh – son of Guru Tegh Bahadur and tenth of the ten Sikh Gurus, given the title on 1 November 1675 when he was only nine years old. He named a book as his successor...

Guru Granth Sahib – the religious text of Sikhism, said to be the sole and final successor of the line of gurus, the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs.

Other esteemed Sikh individuals

Baba Buddha Ji - One of the most revered Sikh saints and anointer of several of the early Sikh Gurus.

Baba Deep Singh –

Baba Gurdit Singh –

Baba Nand Singh ji –

Banda Singh Bahadur –

Bhagat Puran Singh –

Bhai Bala –

Bhai Gurdas - One of the most revered Sikh saints and writer of the Vars.

Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha –

Bhai Lalo –

Bhai Mardana – Guru Nanak's constant Muslim companion, musician, and composer of Sikh hymns.

Bhai Taru Singh –

Bhai Vir Singh –

G. B. Singh –

Giani Gurdit Singh –

Giani Sant Singh Maskeen –

Hazrat Mian Mir –

H. S. Phoolka –

Ishar Singh –

Jassa Singh Ahluwalia –

Moti Ram Mehra –

Nanki - Guru Nanak's sister and often considered his first disciple.

Nand Singh –

Nawab Kapur Singh –

Randhir Singh –

Ranjit Singh –

Sant Baba Harnam Singh Ji –

Sikh Bhagats

Bhagat

Kabir

Sheikh Farid

Sri Chand - Guru Nanak's son and founder of an early Sikh sect.

Sikh education

Damdami Taksal

Guru Nanak Dev University

Khalsa College London [1]

World Sikh University [2]

Sikh literature

Category:Sikh literature

Janam Sakhi (non-canonical Sikh history)

Bala Janamsakhi - A collection of janamsakhis by Bhai Bala (generally accepted as authoritative).

Mani Singh Janamsakhi or Gyan ratanavali - A collection dating from the time of the last Guru.

Miharban Janamsakhi - Janamsakhis written by the followers of Prithi Chand.

Puratan Janamsakhi - An early collection of janamsakhis by an unknown author.

Vars (early edition of the Sikh tenets, written down by Bhai Gurdas)

Zafarnama

General concepts

Bani – verses. An abbreviation of Gurbani, applied to any of the writings which appear in the Guru Granth Sahib.

Brahmgiani – highly enlightened individual who has obtained the ultimate blessings of Waheguru.

Bhagat Bani – Any of the writings which appear in the Guru Granth Sahib which were not written by the Gurus.

Daan – Charity. One of the 3 petitions - Naam, Daan, Ishnan.

Dasband (daswand) – 10% of earnings donated to the less advantaged.

Dastar – Turban (Pugree). It is an inseparable part of Sikh dress and is mandatory for a Sikh to tie his turban according to Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh 'Code of Conduct'.

Dharam di Kirat – to earn an honest living.

Diet in Sikhism

Ek Onkar –

Gatka – Sikh martial art

Gurbani – Collective writings of the Sikh Gurus. (See bani.)

Gurdwara, gurudwara – Place of worship, meaning "God's door", or God's place

Gurmukh – Person who is spiritually centered. (See manmukh.) A person who lives within the will of God and accepts all good and bad that happens to one's self without question or annoyance.

Gurmukhi – The written form of Punjabi used in the Sikh scriptures propagated by Guru Nanak and Guru Angad. Gurmukhi script is also called 'Paintis Akhri' because it contains thirty-five letters.

Gutka – Prayerbook containing daily prayers.

Harmandir Sahib –

History of the Punjab

Ik Onkar –

Ishnan – Purity of mind and body. One of the three petitions - Naam, Daan, Ishnan.

Jap – Recite.

Japji Sahib – The first 8 pages of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy scripture), consisting of hymns composed by Guru Nanak.

Jayadeva in Sikhism - Wrote two hymns that are in the guru granth.

Kakke – Panj (5) K's that must be worn by Sikhs.

Kaur – Princess. Female Sikh middle name or surname

Khalsa – Pure - must carry panj kakkar

Khalsa Panth –

Khanda - A symbol of the Sikh faith (as well as being an Indian-double edged sword); also appearing on the Nishan Sahib which flies over gurdwaras.

Kirat karō (kirat karni) – One of the three primary pillars of Sikhism, the others being Naam Japo and Wand kay Shako. The term means to earn an honest, pure and dedicated living.

Kirtan –

Kurahit kurahat – The cardinal sins for the Sikhs. These are cutting, trimming, shaving or removing hairs from one’s body, eating kuttha meat, using tobacco or any other intoxicant in any form or committing adultery.

Laava –

Manmukh – A self-centered person, contrast gurmukh. A person who lives within the will of the Mind as opposed to the will of god.

Mela Maghi –

Mul Mantra – Basic statement of creed.

Naam – Name. Remembrance of the divine name.

Nām Japō, Naam japna – Recitation and meditation on the Naam of the Lord.

Nanakshahi calendar –

Nirankari –

Nitnem – Daily prayers which begin with Japji Sahib and are written in a Gutka (prayerbook).

Panj dokh – The 5 thieves/betrayers. Ahankar (pride), Kam (lust), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed) and Moh (worldly attachment)

Panj Kakke – The Five K's; the five external symbols worn by both male and female Sikhs. The name of each symbol starts with the letter k (kakka); kaccha, kanga, kara, kesh and kirpan.

Panj virtues – Daya (compassion), Nimrata (humility), Pyaar (love), Santokh (contentment) and Sat (truth).

Panj weapons – Chardi Kala (positive energy), Daan (charity), Dayan (kindness) Nimarta (humility), Santokh (contentment)

Panj – The number 5

Patit – Apostate

Sangat – Society (congregation) see Panth.

Sarbat da Bhalla – Welfare of mankind (sarbat = mankind, bhalla = welfare)

Sarbloh Warriors - a computer game based around Sikh resistance against Mughal rule

Sardar –

Satguru –

SGPC (Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee) –

Shabad, Śábda – The hymns contained in Sikh scriptures.

Shaheed – Title used before the name of a person who has died as a Sikh martyr.

Sikh –

Sikh Bhagats –

Sikh Empire –

Sikh Light Infantry –

Sikh Regiment –

Simran – Simran is the remembrance of Waheguru. Guru Nanak formed a new type of Bakti beginning with Simran and Jap of Waheguru Gurmantar.

Singh Sabha –

Singh – Lion. Male Sikh middle or surname title.

Sloka – Stanza. The Sanskrit epic metre formed of thirty-two syllables – verses of two lines (distich) of sixteen syllables each or in four half-lines (hemistich) of each syllables each. Japu (recitation) comprises an introductory sloka, 38 stanzas traditionally called pauris and a concluding sloka attributed by some to Guru Angad.

Sukhmani – the Psalm of Peace.

Takht

Takhat –

Tankhah – Salary, payment also social offense - He is not to commit any of the social offences (Tankhah), such as giving dowry, using liquors and intoxicants, raising monuments over graves and associating with apostates.

Turban – Dastar (Pugree). It is an inseparable part of Sikh dress and is mandatory for a Sikh to tie his turban according to Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh 'Code of Conduct'.

Udasis –

Waheguru (ਵਾਹਗੁਰੂ) – Wonderful is the Lord.

References

Outline of Sikhism Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

Contents

Nature of Sikhism

Sikh scripture

Guru Granth Sahib

Sikh religious philosophy

Sikh Practices

Sikh practices

Sikh ceremonies

Sikh geography

Sikhism by country

Gurdwaras

Gurdwaras in India

Gurdwaras in Canada

Gurdwaras in the United States

Gurdwaras in Pakistan

Gurdwaras in Hong Kong

Gurdwaras in Malaysia

Gurdwaras in Singapore

Sikh politics

History of Sikhism

Sikh culture

Sikh people

Sikh Gurus

Other esteemed Sikh individuals

Sikh education

Sikh literature

General concepts

References