Sikhism — Beliefs and Teachings
What's covered
Key facts
Ahankar is the Sikh thief meaning pride.
Creation is seen as good — a gift from God.
One becomes gurmukh through meditation, service and humility.
Strong haumai binds the soul to rebirth.
Mukti is achieved through devotion, service and remembrance of God.
Good karma is created by honest work and selfless service (sewa).
The Mool Mantra describes God as without fear, without hate, beyond time.
Sikh bani (hymns) include statements rejecting caste ("I see no caste").
Pangat is the Sikh value of community life expressing equality.
Dhan sewa is service through money or goods.
Sample questions
A taste of the 129 questions in this topic — answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
Name a major barrier to mukti.
- ✓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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