Divine wisdom is true, yet question it - in doing so, you shall behold the truth.
ਸਾਚਾ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਸਾਚੀ ਨਾਈ ਪਰਖੈ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਤ ਖਰੀ ॥੧੦॥
Guru Granth Sahib, 939, M.1

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

As a Sikh, many questions come to mind. Primarily because the Sikh way of life is so unique and not really mainstream. In addition, Sikhs are asked questions in everyday life, and experience challenging situations due to their appearance. Often superficial questions are asked. Sometimes more profound one. We answer recurring questions based on the timeless divine wisdom of Sikhi (Gurmat), which has been preserved in writing (Gurbani), anonymously in this section. The FAQs will be continuously updated.

  • You find an answer here.

  • You find an answer here.

  • No. Proselytising and missionary work are alien to Sikhi and are seen as colonial practices. Sikhi does not regard itself higher than others, and it does not claim to have the absolute truth.

  • The commencing verse of Gurbani serves as a foundational inspiration for a spiritual and holistic life which is led by divine wisdom. It appears many times the Guru Granth Sahib, the central scripture for Sikhs, in an abbreviated form. Its repetition serves as a reminder to stay in tune with the underlying mystery and oneness of life.

    In the original manuscripts, the opening carries none of the names or headings - such as Mool Mantar or Manglacharan - which are often used today. The opening verse begins with Ik Oankar and ends with Gur Parsade.

    ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
    GGS, 1, M.1

    A detailed reflection on the opening verse of Gurbani, which can also be used for meditation or contemplation, can be found here.

  • According to Sikhi, the most auspicious time is when we consciously live in harmony with the Divine with the help of spiritual wisdom.

    ਸੁਭ ਦਿਵਸ ਆਏ ਗਹਿ ਕੰਠਿ ਲਾਏ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਊਚ ਅਗਮ ਅਪਾਰੇ ॥ GGS, 546, M.5

    ਸਾਈ ਘੜੀ ਸੁਲਖਣੀ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
    GGS, 819, M.5

    ਰੁਤੀ ਮਾਹ ਮੂਰਤ ਘੜੀ ਗੁਣ ਉਚਰਤ ਸੋਭਾਵੰਤ ਜੀਉ ॥ GGS, 927, M.5

  • You find an answer here.

  • You find an answer here.

  • You find an answer here.

  • Sikhi places a strong emphasis on embodied wisdom and minimal external dependencies. Therefore, Sikhs do not attach great importance to appearance of a space. Sikhs appreciates the aesthetics of minimalism, a serene, clean, and unadorned environment. What matters most is that no smoking is allowed with or in front of the room. Distractions like blinking lights should be avoided. It is helpful to have a carpet in order for Sikhs to sit traditionally in a cross-legged position on the floor when they engage in recitations. Additionally, cushions can provide support for older Sikhs.

    See also here.

  • You find an answer here.

  • Wahe Guru is an awe-inspiring expression of the boundless and nameless (Anam) Divine. Wahe is akin to the word wow. Guru represents the one true Enlightener, the eternal divine light, which never incarnates and dispels darkness.

    ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
    GGS, 1, M.1

    ਭੁਲਣ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਅਭੁਲੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਕਰਤਾਰੁ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਮਨੁ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ ਲਾਗਾ ਤਿਸੈ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚੁ ਨ ਵੀਸਰੈ ਮੇਲੇ ਸਬਦੁ ਅਪਾਰੁ ॥੮॥੧੨॥
    GGS, 60, M.1

    ਕੀਆ ਖੇਲੁ ਬਡ ਮੇਲੁ ਤਮਾਸਾ ਵਾਹਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਭ ਰਚਨਾ ॥ … ਸਤਿ ਸਾਚੁ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ਆਦਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਸਦਾ ਤੁਹੀ ਵਾਹਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥੮॥
    GGS, 1403, Bhatt Gayandh

  • The Wise Ones, in their prayers, seek only Nam, spiritual wisdom that helps completing the soul's journey to full enlightenment, allowing it to gracefully meld into embrace of its spiritual homeland (Wahe Guru, Sach Khand, Par Brahm, Kartar, Parmesar).

    ਵਿਣੁ ਤੁਧੁ ਹੋਰੁ ਜਿ ਮੰਗਣਾ ਸਿਰਿ ਦੁਖਾ ਕੈ ਦੁਖ ॥ ਦੇਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੀਆ ਉਤਰੈ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਭੁਖ ॥ ਗੁਰਿ ਵਣੁ ਤਿਣੁ ਹਰਿਆ ਕੀਤਿਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਿਆ ਮਨੁਖ ॥੨॥ GGS, 958, M.5

    ਸੂਰਜ ਕਿਰਣਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਜਲ ਕਾ ਜਲੁ ਹੂਆ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਰਲੀ ਸੰਪੂਰਨੁ ਥੀਆ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਦੀਸੈ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਏਕੁ ਏਕੁ ਵਖਾਣੀਐ ॥ ਆਤਮ ਪਸਾਰਾ ਕਰਣਹਾਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਿਨਾ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਣੀਐ ॥ ਆਪਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਆਪਿ ਭੁਗਤਾ ਆਪਿ ਕਾਰਣੁ ਕੀਆ ॥ ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੇਈ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਜਿਨੑੀ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਆ ॥੪॥੨॥ GGS, 846, M.5

  • You find an answer here.

  • You find an answer here.

  • You find an answer here.

  • In Gurbani, Bandi Chod expresses the liberation from the chains of transience. When we are filled with spiritual wisdom and virtues, we leave behind greed and the unconscious attachment to what is passing. In this state, we are consciously guided by the Divine rather than driven by fleeting emotions and desires.