Sikhism Life Guidance and Practices

Sikhism was influenced by both Islam and Hinduism. The three pillars are the foundation of a good life. Sikhism recognizes that role that vice plays in human nature and offers a discipline to cope with it. Sikh scripture offers rational guidelines on how to live that are analogous to guidelines in other faith traditions.

The Three Pillars

  1. Naam Japo: Meditation and Prayer
  2. Kirat Karo: Honestly earn, with hard work, by one's physical and mental effort, while accepting God's gifts and blessing.
  3. Vand Chakko: Share what one has with others.

Overcome the Five Evils by practicing the Five Virtues

The Five Evils
  1. Kamm: Lust
  2. Krodh: Anger
  3. Lobh: Greed
  4. Moh: Attachment
  5. Ahnkar: Pride
The Five Virtues
  1. Sat: Being truthful
  2. Santokh: Contentment
  3. Daya: Compassion
  4. Nimrata: Humility
  5. Pyar: Love
Quotations from the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikhism scripture) similar to the Ten Commandments from Judaism.
  1. Worship only the One God
    "There is but One God. Truth is His Name, He is the Creator, without fear, without hate, timeless, beyond birth and death, self-existent."
    - Japji Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1 (Similar to: "You shall have no other gods before Me.")
  2. Reject idol worship and superstition
    "Do not bow down to idols made of stone; they cannot speak or provide sustenance."
    - Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1240 (Similar to: "You shall not make for yourself a carved image.")
  3. Always speak the truth
    "Truth is higher than everything; but higher still is truthful living."
    - Guru Granth Sahib, p. 62 (Similar to: "You shall not bear false witness.")
  4. Do not steal or cheat
    "Those who steal the wealth of others, eat poison and will not find peace."
    - Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1412 (Similar to: "You shall not steal.")
  5. Be faithful-do not commit adultery
    "Do not even look at another's wife with lust, for in her you will only burn."
    - Guru Granth Sahib, p. 274 (Similar to: "You shall not commit adultery.")
  6. Do not kill-respect all life
    "The One Lord created all beings; whoever kills them, kills the Creator Himself."
    - Guru Granth Sahib, p. 472 (Similar to: "You shall not murder.")
  7. Do not covet
    "Forsake envy, jealousy, and covetousness; they lead only to suffering."
    - Guru Granth Sahib, p. 299 (Similar to: "You shall not covet...")
  8. Honor parents and elders
    "One who obeys the parents and serves them, obtains the fruit of all virtues."
    - Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1324 (Similar to: "Honor your father and your mother.")
  9. Keep God's Name always in remembrance
    "Remembering Him in meditation, sins depart and virtues enter into the heart."
    - Guru Granth Sahib, p. 263 (Similar in spirit to: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.")
  10. Live by righteous deeds, not empty rituals
    "What use is it to wash the body on the outside, when the mind is full of filth within?"
    - Guru Granth Sahib, p. 473 (Comparable to biblical prohibitions against hypocrisy and vain use of God's name.)