Initiation is an essential step before joining the Khalsa Panth. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji formalized this practice with the establishment of the Khalsa in 1699, laying the foundation for a distinct Sikh identity rooted in discipline and devotion. Khande-Di-Pahul (the Amrit of the double-edged sword)
Read MoreGurmat strictly rejects and condemns any form of caste-based discrimination. If an individual uses their surname to assert caste superiority over others, this is against the principles of Sikhi. ਜਾਣਹੁ ਜੋਤਿ ਨ ਪੂਛਹੁ ਜਾਤੀ ਆਗੈ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਹੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥Recognize the Lord’s Light within all,
Read MoreSikhi emphasizes selflessness, compassion, and the importance of noble deeds. Among such acts, organ donation stands out as a profound way to help others. Sikhi encourages generosity and service to humanity, making organ donation a natural extension of these values. Sikhs generally recognize brain death as
Read MoreSikhi provides clear guidance on maintaining purity in relationships and emphasizes self-discipline in interactions with the opposite gender. Gurbani’s teachings highlight the importance of seeing others with a lens of respect and dignity, establishing clear boundaries that prevent both physical and emotional intimacy outside of marriage.
Read MoreWhen listening to Keertan, if you find yourself overwhelmed with emotion and unable to control your tears, know that this is Bairaag. It is a natural and uncontrollable state where one’s heart longs for the Guru so intensely that even a moment without Him feels unbearable.
Read MoreMarch 25 marks the Shaheedi Divas (martyrdom day) of Shaheed Bhai Subeg Singh Ji and Shaheed Bhai Shahbaaz Singh Ji. Every day in Ardas, we remember and honor those great Sikhs who were tortured on spiked wheels (ਚਰਕੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਚੜੇ) for refusing to give up their
Read MoreAccording to the Sikh Rehat Maryada and Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Raagmala is not Gurbani and not authored by the Sikh Gurus. It appears only in the appendix of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, a section historically used by scribes to include supplementary material. This status
Read MoreIn Sikhi, the question of free will is not a mere philosophical curiosity but a lived reality that shapes how we navigate existence. Do we, as Sikhs, possess free will? Gurbani offers a profound answer: we have free will – the freedom to intend – but
Read MoreThe practice of sacrificial killing – offering a life to appease, honor, or commune with the divine – spans millennia and continents, threading through the religious histories of humanity. From the Abrahamic traditions of the ancient Near East to the Vedic rituals of South Asia, and
Read MoreSometimes we have some new students who are just beginning to learn Gurmukhi and are in the Oora Aira class asking us this question. In the west we have been very late in teaching Gurmukhi to our Bachay. We see that most students who come from
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