1. Sikhism is a monotheistic faith. It recognizes God as the only One. He who is not subject to time or space. He who is the Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer of the Universe. It recognizes God as the only One. He who is not subject to time or space. He who is the Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer of the Universe. Characteristics of Sikh Religion

2. Moreover in Sikhism, ethics and religion go together.Moreover in Sikhism, ethics and religion go together. The inculcation of moral qualities and the practice of virtue in everyday life is a vital step towards spiritual development. The inculcation 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 effort and perseverance.Qualities like honesty, compassion, generosity, patience, humility etc. can be built up only by effort and perseverance. The lives of the Gurus show how they lived their lives according to their code of ethics The lives of the Gurus show how they lived their lives according to their code of ethics

3. Sikhism does not believe in Avtarvada, that God takes a human form. Sikhism does not believe in Avtarvada, that God takes a human form. It does not attach any value to gods and goddesses and other deities It does not attach any value to gods and goddesses and other deities The Sikh religion rejects all rituals and routine practices like fasting and pilgrimage, omens and austerities.The Sikh religion rejects all rituals and routine practices like fasting and pilgrimage, omens and austerities. The goal of human life to merge with God is accomplished by following the teachings of the Guru, by meditation on the holy Name and performance of acts of service and charity.The goal of human life to merge with God is accomplished by following the teachings of the Guru, by meditation on the holy Name and performance of acts of service and charity.

4. Sikhism emphasises Bhakti Marg or the path of devotion. It does, however, recognizes the limited value of Gian Marg (Path of Knowledge) and Karam Marag (Path of Action). It also lays stress on the need for earning God's Grace in order to reach the spiritual goal.It also lays stress on the need for earning God's Grace in order to reach the spiritual goal.

5. Sikhism emphasises Bhakti Marg or the path of devotion. Sikhism emphasises Bhakti Marg or the path of devotion. It does, however, recognizes the limited value of Gian Marg (Path of Knowledge) and Karam Marag (Path of Action). It does, however, recognizes the limited value of Gian Marg (Path of Knowledge) and Karam Marag (Path of Action). It also lays stress on the need for earning God's Grace in order to reach the spiritual goal.It also lays stress on the need for earning God's Grace in order to reach the spiritual goal.

6. Sikhism is a modern, logical, and practical religion. Sikhism is a modern, logical, and practical religion. It believes that normal family-life (Grasth) is no barrier to salvation. It believes that normal family-life (Grasth) is no barrier to salvation. That it is possible to live detached in the midst of worldly ills and temptations. That it is possible to live detached in the midst of worldly ills and temptations. A devotee must live in the world and yet keep his head above the usual tensions and turmoil. A devotee must live in the world and yet keep his head above the usual tensions and turmoil. He must be a soldier, scholar and saint for God.He must be a soldier, scholar and saint for God.

7. The Gurus believed that this life has a purpose and a goal. The Gurus believed that this life has a purpose and a goal. It offers an opportunity for self and God realization. It offers an opportunity for self and God realization. Moreoever man is responsible for his own actions. Moreoever man is responsible for his own actions. He cannot claim immunity from the results of his actions He cannot claim immunity from the results of his actions He must therefore be very vigilant in what he doesHe must therefore be very vigilant in what he does

8. Finally, the Sikh Scripture (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) is the perpetual Guru.Finally, the Sikh Scripture (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) is the perpetual Guru. This is the only religion which has given the Holy Book the status of a religious preceptor. This is the only religion which has given the Holy Book the status of a religious preceptor. There is no place for a living human Guru (Dehdhari) in Sikh religionThere is no place for a living human Guru (Dehdhari) in Sikh religion

9. Distinctive features of Sikhism

10. Each prophet gives some light and message to the world. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Founder of Sikhism, and his nine successors made a distinct contribution to religion and religious thought. Sikhism may be distinguished from other religions from three stand-points: philosophy, community or institution and physical appearance

11. From the philosophical stand-point, the contribution of Sikhism may be called Nam Marg. Guru Nanak Dev JI emphasized the need for man's devotion to the Timeless Almighty. He illustrates the attributes of God in his Mul - Muntra. He asks man to dedicate himself, day and night to the remembrance of God and His Name.

12. The Guru also gave to his followers the form of a community with certain institutions such as Deg, Teg, and Fateh. By Deg is meant the system of community kitchen (Langar) maintained by contributions of the Sikhs. Everyone is to donate one-tenth (Daswand) of his income

13. . Teg, is the sword or Bhagwati represents power, which was necessary to preserve freedom of religious worship and to end tyranny. For this reason, Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave to God among other names, the name of Sarabloh (All steel). The Sikh believes in God's victory (fateh). the victory is God's and the Khalsa is God's.

14. The Sikh always believes in Chardi Kala, (progress and optimism) in the reform and improvement of society, as a continous process. Sikhism also believes in discipline. Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave the Sikh a new appearance and administered him the Baptism of the Sword. He infused in him a spirit of fearlessness and a belief in his own invincibility and told him to maintain the five symbols*, each beginning with the letter K. *symbols are: Hair (Kesh), Sword (Kirpan), Underwear (Katcha), Comb (Kanga), Bracelet (Kara).

15. Another tenet of Sikhism is humility (Garibi). The Gurus asked their followers to regard themselves servants of the Congregation (Sangat). The tenth Guru, after administering his new baptism to the five chosen ones, asked them on bent knees and with folded hands, to administer baptism (Amrit) to him. In the entire human history, there is no other case of a Guru kneeling before his followers.