3. TIL Sikh's are expected to carry a comb that is to be used twice daily, a steel ...

TIL Sikh's are expected to carry a comb that is to be used twice daily, a steel bracelet that is to be worn on the dominant hand, and a small dagger to defend against the repression of the weak.

Around 500 years ago, there was Hindu guy named Nanak and according to Hindi custom, all high caste Hindus were required to wear Janaeu (a sacred thread). At the age of 9, Guru (teacher) Nanak’s father made preparation for the ceremony to be conducted by the family priest Hardyal. During the ceremony Hardayl started chanting Mantras (Hindu hymns) and then got ready to place Janaeu around Guru Nanak’s neck. Before he could do so, Guru Nanak stopped him and asked the following question: What is the significance of the cotton thread? Who makes this thread? How does it absorb spiritual power? Does it not decay (decompose)? These questions floored the Pandit (priest) and he could not come up with any convincing answers. As Guru Nanak was not satisfied, he refused to proceed with the thread ceremony. Guru ji said in a hymn: “When it wears out it is thrown away, and another one is put on. O Nanak, the thread would not break, if it had any real strength.”

So wearing something (I’m talking about the 5 Ks) doesn’t make you a Sikh according to that.

Moving on, Guru Nanak saw the world suffering from the hatred, fanaticism, falsehood and hypocrisy. Hence, he made a pledge to humanity and spent approximately a quarter of a century (27 years by foot) travelling around the world to inspire mankind to live a truthful life. Throughout his four journeys, he visited and engaged in religious discourse with leaders of various faiths including Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Jains…

Rather than converting from one religion to another, he encouraged all individuals to seek the truth that is common to all religions and forsake (abandon/renounce) futile practices (empty rituals). He declared that there was only one Creator of all (ੴ), though there were many ways to reach him.

In Sikhism, we do not view heaven and hell as a physical place unlike other religions where one ends after death based on their actions. Sikhs believe that heaven is higher spiritual state of consciousness (enlightened mind) and hell is a lower state of consciousness. Heaven and hell are not far-off things to be experienced after death, but a very present reality, fully attainable for all of us at this very moment: “by conquering the mind, one conquers the world.” – Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji (The holy book)

Gurbani is meant to be applied: a disease-stricken person cannot be cured by simply reading the label of the medicine. Similarly, by only reading and/or listening to Gurbani (what most of Sikhs do) without action has no effect on the disease-stricken mind. Even at gurughar (temple), most of the time, they read it as a ritual without even explaining the meaning of what they are reading. “Sikh” means “student”, we must learn (from everything and everywhere) not just read for the sake of reading.

Even though Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is the holy Scripture of the Sikhs (written by Guru themselves, not after them, so the message is intact and not corrupt), but its message and appeal is to the whole of mankind, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, race, gender (Guru Nanak talked about equality between men and women 500 years ago), etc.

The 3 pillars of Sikhism are: Earn honest living, remember the creator, and sharing with needy. +Learn something while you are here as Sikh (student).

And that's what makes you a Sikh.

I'm sorry if I said something wrong, I'm still learning. :)

I only wear a Kara among the 5 Ks. http://www.harjot.com/posters/index.html

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