Sikh Way of Life

🙏 How Sikhs say hello

The most common Sikh greeting is “Sat Sri Akal” (say it: “sut sree a-kaal”). It means “God is the eternal truth.” Anyone can use it, Sikh or not, and it is a warm and polite way to greet a Sikh.

Among Sikhs, especially Amritdhari Sikhs, you will also hear “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.” It means “The Khalsa belongs to Waheguru (God), and victory belongs to Waheguru.” It is often shortened to “Fateh.”

When saying these greetings, Sikhs usually put their hands together with palms touching and bow the head a little, as a sign of respect.

🏛️ The three pillars

Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught three simple ways to live a good life. They are often called the three pillars of Sikhi.

Naam Japna

Remembering God at all times, through prayer, meditation and singing hymns.

Kirat Karni

Earning a living honestly and working hard.

Vand Chhakna

Sharing what you have with others, especially those in need.

📜 The Sikh code of conduct

The Sikh Rehat Maryada is the official Sikh code of conduct. It was prepared by Sikh scholars and approved by the Akal Takht in Amritsar between 1945 and 1950. It explains how Sikhs should pray, live and behave.

According to the Rehat Maryada, a Sikh should not:

Alcohol, tobacco and drugs

Sikhs do not drink alcohol, smoke, or take tobacco or intoxicating drugs.

Halal (kutha) meat

Sikhs must not eat meat killed in a ritual way, such as halal meat (called kutha).

Cutting the Kesh

Sikhs do not cut or remove the hair of their body.

Adultery

Sikhs must be faithful to their husband or wife.

Idols and superstitions

Sikhs do not worship idols or follow superstitions, such as lucky charms or omens.

🍲 Food and the Langar

The Langar, the free community kitchen in every Gurdwara, is always vegetarian, so that everyone, whatever their faith or diet, can sit and eat together.

Sikhs’ personal views on eating meat differ. Some Sikhs are vegetarian, and some eat meat that is not halal.

⚠️ The four kurehats

Sikhs who have taken Amrit (joined the Khalsa) promise never to break four important rules. Breaking one of these is called a kurehat, and a Sikh who does so must ask the Panj Pyare for forgiveness and take Amrit again.

1

Cutting or removing hair from the body.

2

Eating kutha (ritually killed, such as halal) meat.

3

Having a sexual relationship with anyone other than one’s husband or wife.

4

Using tobacco.

⚖️ Equality for all

The Gurus taught that every person carries the same light of God. They rejected the caste system, which divided people into higher and lower groups by birth.

In the Langar, everyone sits together on the floor and eats the same food. Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave all Sikh men the name Singh (lion) and all Sikh women the name Kaur (princess), so that no one could be judged by a family or caste name.

Women are equal to men in Sikhi. Guru Nanak Dev Ji asked why anyone would speak badly of women, when women give birth to kings. Sikh women can lead prayers, read from Guru Granth Sahib Ji and take part in every part of Gurdwara life.

Sikhs also do seva, selfless service, such as cooking in the Langar, cleaning the Gurdwara or helping people in need, without expecting anything back.

🗣️ Sikh and Punjabi: what is the difference?

Sikhi is a religion. Punjabi is a language and a culture. Punjab is the region in India and Pakistan where Sikhi began, so most Sikhs are Punjabi and speak Punjabi.

But not all Punjabis are Sikhs: many Punjabis are Hindu, Muslim or Christian. And not all Sikhs are Punjabi. There are Sikhs of many backgrounds and countries around the world.

🕊️ Sikhs and other faiths

Sikhs believe there is one God for everyone, whatever name people use. Sikhs are taught to respect all religions and do not try to convert others.

The Gurus had close friends of other faiths. Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s lifelong companion was Bhai Mardana, a Muslim musician. A Muslim saint, Sai Mian Mir, was a friend of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Guru Granth Sahib Ji even includes hymns by Hindu and Muslim holy people.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji gave his life in 1675 to protect the right of Hindus, who were not Sikhs, to follow their own religion.

Sikhs respect the holy people of all religions, including Jesus, and value their teachings about love and kindness. Sikhs follow the teachings of the ten Gurus and Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

☀️ Chardi Kala and Sarbat da Bhala

Chardi Kala means staying positive and in high spirits, even when life is hard. Sikhs trust that God is always with them.

At the end of the Ardas prayer, Sikhs ask for Sarbat da Bhala, “the good of all.” Sikhs pray not only for themselves or for Sikhs, but for every person in the world.