• Simran and Sewa
  Selfless Service
  Selfless service is a commonly used term to denote a service which is performed without any expectation of result or award for the person performing it.-Religious significance:...
  
  . These are the "Foundation of Sikhism
  Sikhism
  Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
  
  ". It is the duty of every Sikh
  Sikh
  A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
  
   to practice Naam
  Naam
  Nāma is the Sanskrit for "name". Spiritually, it is the principal method or tool of meditation, which is meant to unite the soul with the Supreme Soul....
  
   Simran daily and engage in Seva (selfless service) whenever there is a possibility- in Gurdwara; in community centre; old people's homes; care centres; major world disasters, etc.
• Guru Nanak formalised these three important aspects of Sikhism:
  • Naam Japna. A Sikh is to engage in a daily practice of meditation
    Meditation
    Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
    
     and Nitnem
    Nitnem
    Nit Nem is a collaboration of different banis that were designated to be read by sikhs every day.The Nit Nem bani's usually include the Panj bania which are read in the morning 1am and Rehras Sahib in the evening 6pm and Kirtan Sohila at night 9pm*Japji Sahib *Jaap Sahib *Tav-Prasad Savaiye*Benti...
    
    by reciting and chanting of God’s Name.
  • Kirat Karni. To live honestly and earn by ones physical and mental effort while accepting God's gifts and blessings. A Sikh has to live as a householder carrying out his or her duties and responsibilities to the full.
  • Vand Chakna. Sikhs are asked to share their wealth within the community and outside by giving Dasvand
    Dasvand
    Dasvand literally means a tenth part and refers the act of donating ten percent of ones harvest, both financial and in the form of time and service such as seva to the Gurdwara and anywhere else. It falls into Guru Nanak Dev's concept of kirat karo. This was done during the time of Guru Arjan Dev...
    
    and practising charity (Daan). To “Share and consume together”.
• The Sikh Gurus
  Sikh Gurus
  The Sikh Gurus established Sikhism from over the centuries beginning in the year 1469. Sikhism was founded by the first guru, Guru Nanak, and subsequently, all in order were referred to as "Nanak", and as "Lights", making their teachings in the holy scriptures, equivalent...
  
   tell us that our mind and spirit are constantly being attacked by the Five Evils
  Five Evils
  The Five evils or five thieves are, according to Sikhism, the five major weaknesses of the human personality at variance with its spiritual essence. The common evils far exceed five in number, but a group of five came to be identified because of the obstruction they are believed to cause in man's...
  
   (or Five Thieves); Kam
  Kam
  Kam meaning deep desire, uncontrolled longing, concupiscence, sensuality or lasciviousness is counted among the five cardinal sins or sinful propensities in Sikhism. In common usage, the term stands for excessive passion for sexual pleasure and it is in this sense that it is considered an evil...
  
  (Lust), Krodh
  Krodh
  Krodh is derived from the Sanskrit word krodha, which means wrath or Rage. This is an emotion recognized in the Sikh system as a spring of desire and is as such counted as one of the Five Evils....
  
  (Rage), Lobh
  Lobh
  Lobh is a Gurmukhi word which translates in English to greed; it is a strong desire for worldly possessions and a constant focus on possessing material items, especially the urge to possess what rightfully belongs to others. According to Sikhism, it makes an individual selfish and self-centred. It...
  
  (Greed), Moh
  Moh
  Moh stands in ancient texts for perplexity or confusion as also for the cause of confusion, that is, avidya or ajnana ....
  
  (Attachment) and Ahankar
  Ahankar
  Hankār is the Gurmukhi word originated from a Sanskrit word Ahankāra which translates to mean ego or excessive pride due to one's possessions, material wealth, intelligence or powers. It gives an individual the feeling that he is superior to others and therefore they are at a lower level than he is...
  
  (Ego). A Sikh needs to constantly attack and overcome these five vices.
• The Sikh Gurus taught the Sikhs to develop and harness the Five Virtues
  Five Virtues
  In Sikhism, the Five Virtues are fundamental qualities which one should develop in order to reach Mukti, or to reunite or merge with God. The Sikh Gurus taught that these positive human qualities were Sat , Daya , Santokh , Nimrata , and Pyar .-Sat:Sat is the virtue of truthful living, which means...
  
   which lead the soul closer to God and away from evil. These are Sat
  Sat (Sikhism)
  Sat is a Sanskrit adjective meaning "the ideal; pure and true essence " of an entity or existence in the Vedanta. It can thus be concluded as "the self-existent or Universal Spirit, Brahman".-Etymology:...
  
  (Truth), Daya
  Daya
  Daya or Compassion is a fundamental teaching of the Sikh religion and teachings can be found on DAYA. The other four qualities in the arsenal are: Truth , Contentment , Humility and Love...
  
  (Compassion), Santokh
  Santokh
  Santokh means Contentment and is one of five virtues that is vigorously promoted by the Sikh Gurus. The other four qualities in the arsenal are: Truth , Compassion , Humility and Love...
  
  (Contentment), Nimrata
  Nimrata
  Nimrata is a virtue that is vigorously promoted by Gurbani. The literal translation of this Punjabi word is "Humility", or "Benevolence". The other four qualities in the arsenal are: Truth , Contentment , Compassion and Love...
  
  (Humility) and Pyare
  Pyare
  Pyaar means Love for the Lord and His creation. This is one of five virtues that is vigorously promoted by the Sikh Gurus. The other four qualities in the arsenal are: Truth , Contentment , Compassion and Humility...
  
  (Love).

Belief

One God is the Creator of the Universe

All human beings are equal

People of all religions and races are welcome in Sikh Gurdwaras

Women have equal status with men in religious services and ceremonies

The human life is supreme and it is through this life that we can achieve oneness with God's will.

Finding God in this life and living by his commands helps us to attain God's mercy.

Sikhs are a peace loving people and stand for Truth and Justice

Guru Gobind Singh Ji said, "It is right to use force as a last resort when all other peaceful means fail."

• there is one creator
• whose name is truth
• creative being
• without fear
• without hate
• timeless whose spirit is throughout the universe
• beyond the cycle of death and rebirth
• self-existent
• by the grace of the guru
• God is made known to humanity.
• Chant and meditate on His name
• True in the beginning, true now, and says Nanak, will be true forever