Foundations & Philosophy
The core beliefs of Sikhi — the oneness of God, the equality of all people, and a life of devotion, honest work and service.
One reality
Sikh philosophy begins with Ik Onkar — there is one God, one universal Creator, formless and beyond birth or death. This is the opening statement of the Mool Mantar, the first verse of the Guru Granth Sahib, and the foundation on which everything else rests.1,2,3
Three pillars
Guru Nanak set out a way of life resting on three practices: Naam Japna (remembrance of God through meditation and prayer), Kirat Karni (earning an honest living), and Vand Chakna (sharing what one has with others). Devotion is meant to be lived in the world, not withdrawn from it.1,2,3
Equality and service
Sikhi rejects distinctions of caste, birth and gender before God. The institution of langar — the free community kitchen where all sit and eat together as equals — makes that belief visible. Alongside it stand seva (selfless service) and sarbat da bhala (the welfare of all humanity).1,2,3
Spiritual and worldly
Guru Hargobind expressed the principle of miri-piri — that spiritual and temporal life are inseparable. A Sikh is called to inner devotion and to just, engaged action in the world alike.1,2,3
In the history
Last updated:
Sources
Numbers in the text link to the work the claim rests on. Naming a work is not the same as checking every sentence against it; how entries are checked.
- The Guru Granth Sahib. no page given yet Sikh scripture (primary source)
- Eleanor Nesbitt. Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press (2005). no page given yet
- W. Owen Cole and Piara Singh Sambhi. The Sikhs: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. no page given yet standard academic reference on Sikh belief and practice