Q: How do Sikhs greet each other? What does Sat Shri Akal means?

A: Sikh.html')" target="_blank">Sikhs greet each other by saying “Sat Shri Akal”. Sat Shri Akal means “God is the supreme truth”.

Sikhs also greet each other by saying “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh”. This greeting means ‘Khalsa belongs to God and Victory belongs to God’.

Every service performed in Sikhism is in order to remember God and be in contact with Him. Greeting is a part of it.


Q: Why do some names end in “Ji” or “Sahib”?

A: Ji is not a part of the name, it is usually used as a sign of respect to elder people or whomever you want to denote with respect. Ji is used after the names of the Gurus as a sign of respect. For example: Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Sahib is another word for respect but it is used to denote someone who has a higher status. For example: Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This word is also used as a form of respect to people at higher military, political and work related posts.

Greeting in Sikhism and the meaning of Ji and Sahib

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~~~**Jap mun Satnaam sda Satnaam...sda satnaam sda satnaam.....~~~

What is the Sikh name for God?

A: Sikhs refer to God as Waheguru, Akal Purakh and Oankar. God has many Names. Hindus call Him Ram, Christians call Him God and Muslims call Him Allah. It does not matter by which name you address Him. He knows you are referring to Him.

Sikhs signify Him with the name Waheguru and meditate on this name of God. The purpose of reciting the Name Waheguru is to remember the One who created us. While awake, eating, studying, or doing anything, remember God. Like we remember someone we love and care for, we must also not forget our greatest love of all: God, the true beloved. Remember God in your heart and surely He will guide you and help you and you will be able to attain salvation and become one with Him. Many have attained salvation by reciting and meditating on the Name of God. Numerous are the devotees in Sikh religion that have recited the Name and attained salvation.

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~~~**Jap mun Satnaam sda Satnaam...sda satnaam sda satnaam.....~~~

Q: What is the purpose of life?

A: The purpose of life is to worship God and eventually become one with the One.

God is the greatest spirit of all and our soul is a part of God. Our soul has been separated from God and it’s dignity remains in merging back with God. The purpose of this life is to become one with God, to merge in the One whom we originated from. Our Guru tells us “This human body has been given to you. This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe. All other works are useless, join the holy congregation and meditate on the Name of God” (Guru Granth Sahib, 12).

In addition, “The blind (those who do not recognize the importance of God) have forgotten the Name of God. The self-willed people are in utter darkness. Their comings and goings in reincarnation do not end; through death and rebirth, they are wasting away” (Guru Granth Sahib, 19). Furthermore, “Those who meditate single-mindedly on the Name of God, and contemplate the Teachings of the Guru. Their faces are forever radiant in the Kingdom of God” (Guru Granth Sahib, 28). If you are not meditating on God, you are wasting your life.

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~~~**Jap mun Satnaam sda Satnaam...sda satnaam sda satnaam.....~~~

Q: Do Sikhs believe in equality of all humanity?

A: Yes, Sikhs believe that all individuals are equal.

One of the major principles of Sikhism is equality for regardless of gender, cast, creed, culture, wealth, etc. In the fifteenth century, the Hindu caste system had become strongly rooted in India. Many Hindu priests (Brahmins) believed in the caste system and perpetuated it as much as possible, by segregating individuals of certain backgrounds (perceived as lower) and looking down on them. Some people in India, who considered themselves of a high-class society wouldn’t even touch a person who they considered as being part of any lower class. If touched accidentally they would take a bath. They also would serve food to their servants and workers on the floor and would themselves eat while sitting higher on some sort of chair or table.

The Sikh Gurus preached to “recognize the Lord's Light within all, and not to consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes in the world hereafter” (Guru Granth Sahib, 349). Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru established langar, a free community kitchen. Langar is free food served in Gurdwara Sahib, which is prepared by a Sikh congregation and then consumed by them and their guests while sitting at the same level next to each other. The purpose of the langar is to eliminate any type of caste system and look to view all humans as equal. While eating langar together, there remains no difference between rich and poor, and a superior or inferior person, for all present are eating the same food at the same level. Langar is served in all Gurdwaras around the globe twenty-four hours a day.

“All beings and creatures are His; He belongs to all” (Guru Granth Sahib, 425). Gurus furthermore preached to “Sing the Praise of the One, the Immaculate Lord; He is contained within all” (Guru Granth Sahib, 706). “The special feature of the Sikh of the Guru is that he goes beyond the framework of caste-classification and moves in humility. Then his labor becomes acceptable at the door of God” (Bhai Gurdas Ji, 1).

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~~~**Jap mun Satnaam sda Satnaam...sda satnaam sda satnaam.....~~~

Q: Do Sikhs lead a normal life, get married and have children, etc.?

A: Yes, Sikhs lead a normal life.

Sikhism instructs that you do not have to fast, abstain, go on renunciation or enter a monastery in order to meet God. All you have to do is have faith, recite the Name of God and remember Him for each possible moment. Guru Ji themselves got married and lived a family life and showed everyone that you can meet God while living a family life.

As a rule, every Sikh must follow three principles. First, he must earn his livelihood by honest means. Second, he must meditate and the third, he must share with others. It means you must work hard, earn your livelihood by an honest means and give away some of it to help others. That is a true way of a Sikh life. There is no restriction on marriage. Marriage is encouraged even for the priests. All Sikhs are encouraged to lead a family life, to have children and be a normal person in the world. Sikh family structure is very stable.

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~~~**Jap mun Satnaam sda Satnaam...sda satnaam sda satnaam.....~~~

Q: Are marriages arranged in the Sikh tradition?

A: Arranged marriage has been a tradition but Sikhs do not object to non-arranged marriages. In case of arranged marriage, the parents look for a partner for their child. The arranged marriage is performed with the approval of both bride and bridegroom. There’s no restriction as far as our faith is concerned, as to whether one must choose this way or that way. Sikhs can choose their own partners. Mostly it is considered best, when the life partner is chosen with the consent of the parents. Most importantly, Sikhs are to choose a partner with similar belief system.

The people from other cultures do not always properly interpret the word ‘arranged’. An arranged marriage does not mean forcing a boy or a girl into wedlock of parents' choice only. It is agreeing to marriage proposed by mutual discussion between the boy and the girl on one side and his and her parents and relatives on the other. This is in fact selecting the right partner with the approval of all. Most importantly the boy and girl themselves must get to know each other to convey their consent to their parents.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About SIKHISM FAQ

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~~~**Jap mun Satnaam sda Satnaam...sda satnaam sda satnaam.....~~~

: How and when should I visit the Gurdwara?

A: All Gurdwaras are open 24 hours a day, all year round. People visit Gurdwara whenever they have time. There is no set time or day to visit the Gurdwara, however most people visit the Gurdwara on Sunday at 10 am. Before entering the main hall of the Gurdwara, remove your shoes and cover your head. A basket is usually place besides the door of the main hall, which contains small pieces of cloth. If you do not wear a turban, please pick one of the cloths from the basket and cover your head with it. Never enter a Gurdwara if you have consumed alcohol or if you have any cigarettes or tobacco on you. After you have covered your head, enter the main hall and walk up to the altar where the Sikh Holy Scripture, Guru Granth Sahib Ji is placed. Bow your head and place offering of money as a sign of respect and then join the congregation seated on the carpeted floor. The common way to sit is cross-legged on the floor but be aware that sitting with legs stretched out with feet pointing towards the Guru Granth Sahib is disrespectful.

The service at the Gurdwara normally consists of a combination of sermons and singing of shabads. All ends with the Ardaas, a special prayer that is spoken by the priest while the congregation stands with folded hands. The blessed pudding of Parsad, is then distributed to all. It is important that no part of the Parsad should fall on the floor as it is considered disrespectful. Then walk up to the dining hall for Langar (free kitchen). It is important that you get only what you intend to eat and do not leave food in your plate.

If at any point you need help or have questions, please ask anyone to help you before entering the main hall. People in Gurdwara are very friendly and will guide you through the whole process. If you are still confused or hesitate on how to enter the Gurdwara, please contact us and let us know which Gurdwara (Name, City, State, Country) you wish to visit and on what day you want to visit the Gurdwara. We will make a phone call and have someone at the Gurdwara to help you out beforehand.

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~~~**Jap mun Satnaam sda Satnaam...sda satnaam sda satnaam.....~~~

Q: What is the function of the Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship)? Who maintains the Gurdwara? How is it financed?

A: The Gurdwara is Sikh place of worship, just like a church is for Christians, a mosque for Muslims and a temple for Hindus. Gur-dwara is two words combined into one. Gur is for Guru. Dwara is like door or house. So Gurdwara is the door or house of God. It is a place where the sacred Sikh scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib resides.

The Gurdwara serves a lot of functions for community. The traditions started in the times of Gurus themselves when they were in physical form. People congregated and asked them questions about God and His creations and the Gurus would answer those questions in a social congregation. After the Gurus left and they ordered that there would no longer be any physical Gurus and all Sikhs shall consider Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred Sikh scriptures as their Guru. From then on Guru Granth Sahib was enshrined and installed as the living Guru of the Sikhs.

The Gurdwara is a place for acquiring a spiritual knowledge and wisdom. It is open to every one regardless of age, gender, caste, color, or creed. Here all men, women and children are treated as equal. It offers shelter and food to any one in need. It is also a center for promoting culture and health. Moral education as well as knowledge of the religion and history is often taught to children in the Sikh temple. The Gurdwara is also a place for discussing problems facing the Sikh community.

In addition, people go to the Gurdwara to pray and listen to the holy scripture. All Gurdwara have a kitchen where food is cooked and served to all irrespective of caste, color, religion or country. Gurdwara is maintained through donations form Sikhs. The upkeep of the Gurdwara is done by a committee. All the people who go to the Gurdwara choose a representative body and that small body keeps the accounts and maintains the Sikh place of worship, just like any other management team.

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~~~**Jap mun Satnaam sda Satnaam...sda satnaam sda satnaam.....~~~

Q: Are the singers in the Gurdwara invited guests or are they assigned a duty?

A: In a Gurdwara, anybody can share expression or information they have a relevant claim to share. Singing is one such expression and since everybody is encouraged to sing hymns in the congregation.

There are some people who have made it their occupation to sing professionally. Out of the deep love of the scriptures, they have devoted their full time and they go from one Gurdwara to the next for singing the holy hymns. These individuals are paid so they can make a comfortable living.


Q: What is the significance of the person standing besides Guru Granth Sahib and waving a wisk over the holy scripture?

A: In the old times, the emperors from India had a few people on the left and right side waving wisk up and down. This is called a chauwr. This was the symbol of higher authority. People standing waving the chauwr show the world that they respect the person that sits here. So it is symbolically accepted by the Sikhs. This is just simple tradition. It is simply a symbol of respect and higher authority.

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~~~**Jap mun Satnaam sda Satnaam...sda satnaam sda satnaam.....~~~

Q: What do the large circles and swords in front of the alter represent?

A: Those are weapon and they are kept in front of the alter as symbol of the duty of the Sikh to stand up for justice. Sikhs are known as spiritual people and warriors. These are the two different aspects that represent a Sikh. A Sikh’s meditation raises his spiritual level and he understands this world better and clearer. On the warrior side, a good Sikh will never raise his hand for injustice. A good Sikh will never fire the first shot.

The rule is never to threaten anyone and not to be threatened by anyone. Sikhs have learned the hard way. When the Muslims were converting Sikhs and Hindus to Islam by force (during the Mugal occupation of India), Sikhs learned that they have to be strong. Since Muslims would kill anyone who would not accept Islam as their religion, Sikhs began to fight back and raised their voices against injustice. This is why the Sikhs were ordered to take up arms against tyranny. The fact that the weapons are lying lower than the scripture level tells one more important thing. All the weapons and the warrior part of Sikh takes the secondary position. Sikhs are spiritual first and then to defend the faith Sikhs are warrior.

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~~~**Jap mun Satnaam sda Satnaam...sda satnaam sda satnaam.....~~~