How do you become a Sikh?

How do you become a Sikh?

Simply by following the path laid down by the Sikh Gurus; by following Gurbani - the words of the Gurus as written in the Sikh holy Granth called the Guru Granth Sahib. You can find the original text and translations in most popular languages on the web. See the article Gurbani online for links to websites.

Before wearing the Guru's bana or uniform and representing the Guru, you will need to understand the Guru's rules. You can only do this if you learn the Guru's basic rules:

Rule 1: Simran and Sewa: Simran is the reciting of Lord's name; read the Mool mantar; learn it; practise it in your life. Remember God; see Him/Her in everyone and everywhere. Study the Japji sahib step by step; learn one pauri or step each week; take your time learn the words; understand the words; understand the meaning; contemplate the words. Do sewa - volunteer free service in the community or for friends or relations; feel good about doing Simran and Sewa; accept it as part of God's way. Find holy Sikh sangat - Other wise Sikh people who follow the path of the Guru. Share Simran and Sewa with them and attend activities together as much as you can. Only keep their company if they take you towards the Guru - If they don't change the sangat until you find the right company.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/new-to-sikhism/26460-how-do-you-become-a-sikh.html

Rule 2: Three pillars - Guru Nanak formalised three basic guidelines for Sikhs: Naam Japna (focus of God), Kirat Karni (honest living) and Vand Chakna (sharing with others). Read about these and follow them. Naam Japna and Simran are very similar; Listen to Kirtan; understand the words; do kirtan if you can; join in; say the words; understand the meaning; think about what the Guru is saying. See Kirtan websites to download kirtan or go to article - Listen to kirtan to listen, read and sing the Guru's words. Read about history of the Gurus to understand their ways and how their sacrifices are remembered even today.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26460

Rule 3: Make life changes - Start subduing the five evils within. We all have these and we need to restrain them - kam (Lust); krodh (Rage or uncontrolled anger); lobh (Greed); moh (Attachment or emotional attachment) and ahankar (ego). Don't left them control you - You should control them. Also, embrace the Five virtues as ordained by the Gurus - Sat (Truth), Santokh (Contentment), Daya (Compassion), Nimrata (Humility) and Pyare (Love). Make concrete changes in your life and in your attitudes taking these guidelines into account.

Rule 4: Prepare to take Amrit: Start wearing some of the 5Ks, wear Bana, and start looking like a Sikh of the Guru. Only do this if you have the thought of the Guru in your heart. Otherwise the physical gear is just a waste.

Rule 5: Become a Khalsa - Contact a local Gurdwara or another Sikh and arrange to take Khanda-ke-pahul - Guru Gobind Singh's baptism vows.

source: wikisikhi.com

 
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__________________
Prayer = TALKING to God; Meditation/Simran = LISTENING to God !
With the Divine Love & Blessings of WAHEGURU Ji, I wish you peace, love, light (enlightenment), health & happiness in life!

Short and sweet..thanks ji.

Dear Soul_jyot
This is indeed a userful overview. I think rules 4 and 5 would be the most attractive in confirming to the searcher that they are indeed a Sikh physically (I am not in anyway passing judgment on the value of any rule over others). Embelishment on rules 4 and 5 would make interesting posts in themselves in the New to Sikhism section.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26460
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26460

Kind regards
Ambers

Ambers jeo,
Unless someone is not going to practise beforhand and know what he or she is going for, can you expect one to lead in the true way of Sikhi. you need to practise first and confirm your mind to what is on one's way ahead. That's why i think the first 3 steps are there. If straight to step 4 and 5, it may happen that someone who could not kope his mind with the tough Sikhi ways (atleast for beginers its tough), will revert back from Sikhi. Always needs knowledge and practise first for perfact results.

Who can call him/her self Sikh - as per our Guru Ji:

This Shabad is by Guru Raam Daas Ji in Raag Gauree on Pannaa 305 - Guru Granth Sahib Ji

mÚ 4 ]
gur siqgur kw jo isKu AKwey su Blky auiT hir nwmu iDAwvY ]
audmu kry Blky prBwqI iesnwnu kry AMimRq sir nwvY ]
aupdyis gurU hir hir jpu jwpY siB iklivK pwp doK lih jwvY ]
iPir cVY idvsu gurbwxI gwvY bhidAw auTidAw hir nwmu iDAwvY ]
jo swis igrwis iDAwey myrw hir hir so gurisKu gurU min BwvY ]
ijs no dieAwlu hovY myrw suAwmI iqsu gurisK gurU aupdysu suxwvY ]
jnu nwnku DUiV mMgY iqsu gurisK kI jo Awip jpY Avrh nwmu jpwvY ]2]

ma 4 ||
gur sathigur kaa jo sikh akhaaeae s bhalakae out(h) har naam dhhiaavai ||
oudham karae bhalakae parabhaathee eisanaan karae a(n)mrith sar naavai ||
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26460
oupadhaes guroo har har jap jaapai sabh kilavikh paap dhokh lehi jaavai ||
fir charrai dhivas gurabaanee gaavai behadhiaa out(h)adhiaa har naam dhhiaavai ||
jo saas giraas dhhiaaeae maeraa har har so gurasikh guroo man bhaavai ||
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26460
jis no dhaeiaal hovai maeraa suaamee this gurasikh guroo oupadhaes sunaavai ||
jan naanak dhhoorr ma(n)gai this gurasikh kee jo aap japai avareh naam japaavai ||2||

Fourth Mehla:
One who calls himself a Sikh of the Guru, the True Guru, shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord's Name.
Upon arising early in the morning, he is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar.
Following the Instructions of the Guru, he is to chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased.
Then, at the rising of the sun, he is to sing Gurbani; whether sitting down or standing up, he is to meditate on the Lord's Name.
One who meditates on my Lord, Har, Har, with every breath and every morsel of food - that GurSikh becomes pleasing to the Guru's Mind.
That person, unto whom my Lord and Master is kind and compassionate - upon that GurSikh, the Guru's Teachings are bestowed.
Servant Nanak begs for the dust of the feet of that GurSikh, who himself chants the Naam, and inspires others to chant it. ||2||

source: http://www.sikhitothemax.com/Page.asp?SourceID=G&PageNo=&ShabadID=1152&Format=2

SIKH WAY = SEVA + SIMRAN + SANGAT !

Syol-jyot jee,
Perfactly said. The shabad clearly defines our way as confirmed by our reverened Gurus and is i parallel to your origional articles idea.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26460
Guru Fateh.