Guru Nanak taught that there is one God and that different religions are like different roads leading to the same destination. He condemned religious conflict, ritualism and caste prejudices. The fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev largely compiled the Sikh Holy Book, a collection of hymns (gurbhani) known as the Adi Granth. It includes the writings of the first five Gurus and the ninth Guru. It also contains selected writings of Hindu and Muslim saints whose views are in accord with the Gurus' teachings. Guru Arjan Dev also built the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the centre of Sikhism.

The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, passed on the guruship to the sacred scripture, Guru Granth Sahib. He also founded the Khalsa (on 13th April 1699), an order to fight against tyranny and injustice. Male initiates to the order added Singh to their given names and women added Kaur. Guru Gobind Singh also made five symbols obligatory: kacha (a special undergarment), kara (a steel bangle), kirpan (a small sword), kesh (long unshorn hair, and consequently the wearing of the turban) and kangha (a comb). These practices are still compulsory for those Sikhs who are initiated into the Khalsa (the Amritdharis). Those who do not seek initiation are known as Sehajdharis.

There are no professional priests in Sikhism, anyone with a reasonable proficiency in the Punjabi language can conduct a service. Worship can be offered individually or communally, and in a private house or a gurudwara. Sikhs are forbidden to eat meat prepared by ritual slaughter; they are also asked to abstain from smoking, alcohol and other intoxicants.

Sikhism recommends an active life - the life of householder - Grihst - life in society, not in isolation, where every individual makes his contribution to the development of society. There is no place for asceticism in Sikhism.

Every Sikh must work for his living if possible and not be a burden on society. Sikhism lays emphasis on the right type of living - Dharam-di-Kirit (the labour of Dharma). worldly duties may be performed side by side with the search of Truth. A Sikh must set an example to others; he should become a better farmer, a better businessman and a better public servant. He is not to shun material gain or the comfort of life.

Sikhism lays emphasis on one's social obligations, through being a part of society and having to work for its uplift, social reform is a strong point in the Guru's teaching. The Gurus rejected the caste system, untouchability, taboos against women, good and bad omens and the worshipping of graves, idols and mausoleums. Sikhism believes in equality of man which is practically demonstrated through the institution of Langar. dining together in a single line or Pangat and mixing on equal terms with persons of diverse faiths and nationalities.

Sikhism lays stress on one's duties as a citizen, rendering service to the community as a whole.

In Sikhism, ethics and religion go together, the incalcation of moral qualities and the practice of virtue in everyday life is a vital step towards spiritual development. Qualities like honesty, compassion, generosity, patience, humility etc. can be built up only by special effort and perseverance. Sikhs are encouraged to emulate the lives of the Gurus who lived their lives according to the code of ethics.

Sikh (ing) Challenges by Yonat Shimron

Rasna Rihal, a sophomore at Raleigh's Enloe High School, will gladly explain why she never cuts her hair and why her father wears a turban.But it's difficult when people forget the name of her faith.

"The thing I don't like is how my friends keep asking me over and over what my religion is because they can't remember what it's called," said Rasna, who is 15.

That, however, is part of the Sikh (pronounced seek) experience in America. As one of the lesser-known faiths of the world, American Sikhs learn early on that they will be poked fun at, confused with  Hindus or Hari Krishnas and stopped every time they go through an airport security check.

But Sikhs, who celebrate an important milestone in their faith next week, take it all in stride. Since the faith's founding, more than 500 years ago in the Punjab region of northern India, Sikhs have been persecuted, oppressed, stereotyped. Mastering life's indignities and
fighting the good fight has become part of the Sikh ethos.

"It's a Sikh trait to take up a challenge," said Iqbal Singh, a former professor of international relations at Duke University. "Life is adversity.
We teach that the greater the struggle, the more proficient you are at handling challenges."

On Wednesday, 18 million Sikhs around the world will celebrate 300 years since their last guru, or teacher, inaugurated the brotherhood and mandated that the faithful wear five symbols: uncut hair, a comb, a steel wrist bangle, a sword and short breeches under their pants.
In New York, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Sikhs will hold public prayer ceremonies, marches and other festivities in honor of the tricenntenial.

There are an estimated 150,000 Sikhs in the United States and about 400 Sikh families in North Carolina, organized around two temples or "gurdwaras," both in Durham. Like their counterparts across the country, many Triangle Sikhs are professionals: doctors, engineers and computer specialists, many of whom began flocking to the United States as graduate
students after immigration laws were relaxed in 1965.

And like other immigrant faith groups, Sikhs are proud of their religion and eager to succeed in their adopted country. These days they are also organizing religious schools and summer camps to help transmit the faith to their American-born children -- many of whom do not speak the native Punjabi and are struggling to read the Sikh holy Scriptures, called the Adi Granth.

"When we came here in the 1970s we were focused on doing things for ourselves," said Inderdeep Chatrath, a federal compliance officer at Duke University's Department of Institutional Equity. "Now we see we are responsible for carrying this forward. We need to make a greater commitment to children. "