Sikhism: Beliefs and Teachings
What's covered
Key facts
Barriers to Mukti
Ahankar is the Sikh thief meaning pride.
God as Creator
Creation is seen as good, a gift from God.
Gurmukh and Manmukh
One becomes gurmukh through meditation, service and humility.
Haumai (Ego) and Its Elimination
Strong haumai binds the soul to rebirth.
Human Life as Opportunity for Union with God
Mukti is achieved through devotion, service and remembrance of God.
Karma, Rebirth and Mukti
Good karma is created by honest work and selfless service (sewa).
Sources of Wisdom and Authority: Key Quotes
Hukam is the divine order that governs all action.
Nature of God: The Mool Mantra
The Mool Mantra describes God as without fear, without hate, beyond time.
Oneness of Humanity and Equality
Sikhism teaches caste has no spiritual value.
Sangat: The Religious Community
Pangat is the Sikh value of community life expressing equality.
Practice questions with answers
A taste of the 118 questions in this topic, answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
What is the root barrier to mukti in Sikh teaching?
- ✓Haumai: selfish ego
- •Karma: accumulated deeds
- •Krodh: uncontrolled anger
- •Maya: material illusion
Did God create the universe in Sikh teaching?
- •No: by lower spirits
- •No: it always existed
- ✓Yes: by divine will
- •Yes: through holy teachers
What is a gurmukh?
- •Person dominated by ego and desire
- ✓Person oriented toward the Guru
- •Person who has achieved mukti and liberation
- •Person who leads communal worship in the gurdwara
What is haumai?
- •Humble devotion to God
- ✓Self-centred ego (I-me)
- •Selfless service to others
- •The divine spark within
What is the goal of human life in Sikhism?
- •Earning paradise as a reward
- •Escaping the body permanently
- •Reaching the highest caste in rebirth
- ✓Union with God (mukti)
Do Sikhs believe in karma?
- •No: fate is decided by Waheguru alone
- •No: only grace determines rebirth
- ✓Yes: action shapes future life
- •Yes: karma determines caste in next life
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