What is Sikhism?

Follow Simran at: @SikhProf

RESOURCES and FURTHER READING
Jasjit Singh, "The Guru's Way: Exploring Diversity Among British Khalsa Sikhs," Religion Compass 8/7 (2014), 209-219.
Harjot Oberoi, "Paradox: The Khalsa/Sahajdhari Duality," in The Construction of Religious Boundaries: Culture, Identity, and Diversity in the Sikh Tradition.

ARTICLES REFERENCED

IMAGE CREDITS
Many photographs are used under a Creative Commons license from Gurumustuk Singh, MrSikhNet:

Other photographs are used with permission from the Sikh Coalition.

Special thanks to Dr. Jenn Lindsay for video footage from Malaysian gurdwara.

MUSIC CREDITS:
Used under CC BY 4.0 license
Impact Moderato
Over Under
Chill Wave
Clean Soul
Isolated

[johncrwarner]

As a Sikh - I always need intro material for friends, acquaintances and students who ask and this is an excellent starter.

[bubbercakes]

I worked with a Sikh man at McDonalds back in 1982. He was one of the nicest guys I ever met and a very good worker! I hope he has had a great life!

[Historical_Vagabond]

I've never met a more generous, honorable and honest people. The more I've learned the more I respect.

[peffiSCsource]

Using "sikh" as an adjective makes some parts in this video sound like they are explained by a skater that is very excited about religion.
03:46 "... sikh houses of worship"

[palamecianrider]

Sikhs in the Philippines are one of the most hardworking foreigners we have in the islands and they are so legit that one of our traffic laws accommodate Sikhs in keeping their Turbans while riding motorcycles.

[ikazuchioni]

We have a Sikh family as neighbors, they are the nicest neighbors I have ever met.

[exnihilokonkin]

I'm not religious by any stretch of the imagination, but Sikhism seems to be the best one out there. I love how everyone is viewed as equal and how much Sikhs contribute to their community and don't judge people. The kindest people I have ever known are Sikh.

[recklessroges]

Despite being agnostic, ever since I learnt about Sikhi, (in my twenties!? {a hole in my otherwise wide education}) I've been a fan. Also, anecdotally, all of the Sikhs I've meet have been reliable people that the world is better for having them.

[jamess.]

I have a friend who is a Sikhi. I often ask, “What’s wrong?” He is puzzled and replies, “I’m fine, why?” Me: “Are you Sikh?” 😂. He laughs. Good times. Sikh’s are wonderful people. ❤

[alcaulique]

In an underground Berlin-party in some old abandoned train shed, I had a 4 am discussion (while a touch under the weather) with a Sikh. I am an agnostic computer scientist so I could never understand the bound believer have to their faith, but this guy was so into his religion that it opened my curiosity towards the history and science of religion. Still agnostic but thanks to this guy I grew more open-minded.

[Kite]

As a U.S. citizen, I can say I am fully ashamed of those who've attacked the sihk community out of lack of knowledge. I've been doing my own research into sihkism for a few weeks before this (out of scholarly curiousity) and this video definitely helps give others a good starting point into the religion :)

[Zizumia]

I knew the son of the Sikh man who was murdered at a gas station following 9/11, he was in my government class in High School. He was the only Sikh in our community and he took the opportunity to talk about his experience being a target of anti Muslim racism. It was quite chilling and eye opening.

[astrofrk]

There is a small Gurdwara two blocks from my house. The Sikh are the kindest people one can find anywhere on earth and I give them full respect.

[supersaiyanwhat]

Wow, I was just thinking "I want to learn about Sikhism" and then bam, I find this video. Thanks Andrew, your videos are always a good watch.

[StrawBss]

I never realized how relatively modern Sikhi is

[grantmillard]

I live in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada which is a community with a large Sikh population. It's good to learn more about your neighbours. Appreciate your help with this video.

[corwin]

I’ve always pronounced the religion as “seek”. Man, if I can’t even say it correctly, I have much to learn.

[aysepersona]

I am Turkish Muslim and Sikhs have very high reputation in my community. There are positive stereotypes about sikhs generally being very communal, reliable and altruistic people. I myself have never met any sikh. Thanks for this video

[Dralion]

Sadly, the Oak Creek tragedy was a dark and frightening experience in my home town. The Sikh members of our community have shown their resilience by maintaining their doors open to all who are willing to enter and learn about their diversity. They are a very generous people who treat all with respect.

[Halfdanr_H]

All the Sikhs I've knowingly met in Britain have been good people. I'm a Neo-Norse pagan, I wouldn't receive the vocally charged rhetoric I'd get from Christians and Muslims from Sikhs, so I enjoyed socialising with them. They were always very friendly, inclusive and tolerant towards me, exactly my kind of people. As a community of people they can be very pro-active and generous, too. During the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic I know that various Sikh communities were cooking food and going to the hospitals to feed the overwhelmed staff there. I feel much friendship and respect towards them.