Resources about Sikhism and Sikh Americans: Home

Purpose

This resource guide was created for the purpose of exploring and sharing resources about Sikhism and Sikh Americans. Here, you will find articles, books, videos, and links to other helpful information.

What is Sikhism?

Sikhism is one of the youngest organized religions and the fifth largest in the world today. Founded in the 15th century by the Guru Nanak.

The Basic Tenets of Sikhism

Sikhism tradition holds that a Sikh represents “any person who believes in God, the 10 gurus, the Guru Granth Sahib, other writings of the 10 gurus, and in their teachings” (McLeod, 1989*). 

• There is only one God, he is the Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer.
• The Sikh Holy Book (Guru Granth Sahib) is the perpetual Guru, there is no place in Sikhism for a living Guru today.
• Sikhism rejects all distinctions of caste, creed, race or sex
• The Guru's stressed the full equality of women, rejecting female infanticide, sati (wife burning), permitting widow remarriage and rejects purdah (women wearing veils).

Source: Sikhs.org

*McLeod, W.H. (1989). The Sikhs: History, Religion, and Society. New York: Columbia University Press.

See presentation below for more information.