Sikh ethics

Questions of right and wrong considered according to Sikhism. Sikhs believe that the purpose of life is to love God, and to use self-discipline to replace greed, desire, anger, and pride, with contentment, humbleness, and forgiveness. Sikhs emphasize the importance of work with hands, head, and heart in the service of themselves, their family, and the social community. In following God's will, Sikhs hope to lose their sense of the importance of themselves and their daily concerns, and to feel a sense of harmony with God.

For a Sikh, God is infinite and eternal, and the creator of all. He cares equally for all people, regardless of their religion, and God is within everyone. Sikhs believe that God is the source of love, and that people should act with love to God, to one other, and to the world. Meditating on God's name is one of the central spiritual activities of Sikhs.

There is no priesthood in Sikhism, because it practises equality of all, both men and women. Women read from the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book) in services in the gurdwara (Sikh place of worship), and can join the Khalsa (order or community of Sikhs). On joining the Khalsa, men are given the name Singh (lion), and women are called Kaur (princess). In practice, women have total spiritual equality with men, but the roles of men and women differ. Men are more active in society at large, and women have more responsibilities in the home. Restrictions placed upon women are of social rather than religious origin. Sikhs reject the caste system and do not believe in superstitious practices, consulting astrologers, ancestor worship, or wearing the sacred thread. This reflects the context, views, and practices of the founding gurus (see guru), in their opposition of aspects of the culture of Hinduism and Islam.

Following the Gurdwara Act (1925) in India, a committee of Sikhs was formed to manage the gurdwaras, known as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). By 1945, the SGPC had convened a group of advisers from the worldwide Sikh community, which drew up a guide to the acceptable way of life for Sikhs, the Rehat Maryada. This sets out clearly acceptable behaviour for Sikhs.

Relations with others Sikhism holds that all religions are different paths to the same destination. Many Hindu and Muslim verses are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs should not offend other faiths, and should accept the equality of all. This is one of the reasons why only vegetarian food is served in the langar (communal kitchen of the gurdwara), so that a person of any religion might visit and be able to eat without embarrassment.

Family life Family life is central to Sikhism, and extended families will have a male or female head (one of the senior members). Sikhism emphasizes love and care for one another. The family is a broad network of support, advice, and practical help to all its members (according to the teachings of the Adi Granth 684).

Marriage and sexuality Marriage is the preferred state for Sikhs. Many marriages are arranged, and are seen to unite two families. The choice is made from a similar caste because the couple will then be matched in social grouping and expectations. Officially, the giving of dowries is forbidden in India and by Sikhs, but social custom is still sometimes strong. The practices of suttee (a widow throwing herself on her husband's funeral pyre), female infanticide, and purdah (separation and seclusion of women) are all strictly forbidden for Sikhs. Widows are allowed to remarry, and marriage with other faiths is allowed if it does not require conversion of the Sikh. In traditional cultures, Sikh women are expected to remain at home following marriage. However, this is changing, and some Sikh women continue with their chosen careers after marriage. The cultural differences between countries, and the interaction between tradition and modernity, continue to change the way Sikhism is practised around the world.

Sexual expression is considered a natural part of marriage, and Sikhs are expected to avoid sex before marriage and adultery. Some aspects of society – for example, pornography and prostitution – are seen as wrong and likely to lead to unacceptable behaviour (haumai). Young men and women are often kept apart until they are married, to help them to avoid temptation. Traditionally, homosexuality is seen as unacceptable, particularly because it is not seen to fit into the Sikh concept of family life. Contraception is acceptable to Sikhs, who do not think of sex as simply for procreation. However, operations such as sterilization are considered to harm the body, and are only acceptable if necessary because of risks to health. Abortion is unacceptable within Sikh teaching. Divorce is permitted but not common. The extended family usually attempts to help couples reconcile their differences. After divorce, both the man and the woman are allowed to remarry.

The body and physical care Sikhs believe that the body is given by God, and should be looked after and maintained in its natural state as far as is possible. Drugs, tobacco, and alcohol are strictly forbidden (according to the teachings of the Adi Granth 554). Cutting or shaving of any body hair is forbidden, as is dyeing grey hair. Most men and some Khalsa women wear a turban, which marks that they are Sikh, and most Sikhs wear a steel bracelet (kara), a symbol of God's unity and eternity. Halal meat is forbidden, and some Sikhs are vegetarian.

Suicide and euthanasia Because Sikhs believe that the body and life itself is given by God, they also believe that no one has the right to take life. However, suicide because of despair is looked on with compassion. Euthanasia is not an option to be considered under Sikh teachings.

Wealth and charity Everything given, Sikhs believe, is given to God, and Sikhs are taught to give a tenth of their savings to charity, and not to discriminate between potential recipients. Giving of labour, resources, and general abilities is central to the practice of Sikhism (according to the teachings of the Adi Granth 557). Learning to give begins in the gurdwara, where everyone joins in all the tasks of sweeping, cleaning, and cooking, for the good of the whole community. Care of people in need is important; Guru Nanak set up a centre for the care of lepers, and Sikhs today are taught to provide for the needy in charitable service to others (sewa). Guru Nanak's teaching on sewa helped to change the attitudes of some of the Hindus of his time, who believed that suffering was an unchangeable part of karma, and that helping people of a different caste would make them impure. Sikhs have been known to offer food and aid to people on both sides of battle lines, and to give aid to groups of people in need regardless of their ethnic or religious background.

Suffering and evil Sikhs believe that one of the causes of evil in the world is that people turn from God and bring about evil through their greed, self-interest, and egotism. Not seeing the world as it really is, people become caught up in the world of maya (illusion), and suffer as a result, by becoming occupied with satisfying their own wants. Such ignorance and selfishness is known as haumai. Not all suffering can be explained, but Sikhs believe that God understands the reason for everything, and that faith in God enables people to endure hardship. Suffering on behalf of others by defending them or alleviating their situation is seen as right and necessary.

Peace and conflict Sikhism strongly opposes any form of oppression or tyranny, and Sikhs are obligated to defend the weak. However, if all attempts at reconciliation and peace between nations have failed, defence by fighting is considered appropriate, and is called a Dharam Yudh, a war in defence of righteousness. It must be undertaken as a last resort, and must not be fuelled by wishes of revenge. Civilians must be unharmed, no property taken, people must not be humiliated, nor their places of worship desecrated, and the least force necessary must be used.

Life after death Sikhism teaches that the soul does not die, and that its future course is governed by current actions. People who do not choose to improve their actions will be reborn endlessly, and will suffer from a sense of being distant from God.

Secular and religious authority Sikhs believe that if they are oppressed by an unjust ruler who will not listen to their needs, they are entitled to rebel to achieve justice. If following the secular rules of their country would lead them to betray the principles of Sikhism, Sikhs should follow their conscience and God's law.

Creation story Sikhism teaches that nothing existed except darkness until God spoke, and caused the planets to form. He then created air which gave rise to water, and out of this life was born.