History

Sikhism is one of the world's most recent widespread faiths.  It was founded by Guru Nank in the Punjab in the 15th Century. He was followed by nine more Gurus who acted as the spiritual guides for the Sikh people.

There are around 20 million Sikhs in the world, and there are half a million in the UK. Sikhism is the UK's third most popular religion. Sikhs can worship at any time and in any place, but it is considered ideal to rise early and meditate. Sikhs also have congregational places of worship called Gurdwaras (which means "gateway to the Guru"). Sikh public worship can be led by any Sikh, male or female, provided that they are competent to do so.

The Sikh scripture is a book called the Guru Granth Sahib, which has the status of a Guru after the tenth human Guru decreed that after his death it would be the spiritual guide of the Sikhs. The book itself is not worshipped, but its content is.

Beliefs

Sikhs believe in only one God, and God is without gender or physical form.

Sikhs do not believe that God can be understood by human beings, but that he can be experienced through worship and through the world around them.

They believe that doing good actions is more important than ritual, and that by serving others they can become closer to God.

Sikhism teaches that everyone is equal before God and the faith stresses social and sexual equality. They also believe that everyone is capable of change.

The community of adult men and women who have been initiated into the Sikh faith are called the Khalsa. Those who have passed through the Amrit Ceremony of initiation become initiated and adopt new names and customs. Sikh men take the name of "Singh" (lion) and women take the name of "Kaur" (princess).  They wear the "Five Ks" which are symbols of their faith and an identifying mark: Kesh (uncut hair), Kara (a steel bracelet), Kanga (a wooden comb), Kaccha (cotton underwear) and Kirpan (sword).

Sikhs avoid any kind of superstitious behaviour, such as pilgrimages. They believe that religion should be practiced by living in the world and through dealing with life's everyday problems.

Locally

Sikh Temple and Gurdwara, Culshaw Street, Blackburn.  Telephone 01254 581965

Links

More information on Sikhism can be found at http://www.sikhs.org