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The main
concept of the Sikh beliefs is to be found in the opening hymn of the Sikh
sacred text, the Guru Granth Sahib. "There
is one supreme eternal reality; the truth; immanent in all things; creator of
all things; immanent in creation. Without fear and without hatred; not subject
to time; beyond birth and death; self revealing. Known by the Guru's
grace." The only
way that this can be done is by intense meditation on their God's Name (nam)
and Word (shabad). These were revealed to humans by the Divine
Instructor, the Guru. Without the Guru's grace someone is doomed to a constant
cycle of death and rebirth.
Sikhs praying. The message of Guru Nanak went beyond personal meditation and into a new social vision. He emphasised that to achieve the relationship with Waheguru the Sikhs had to practice total social equality, the removal of all class divisions, and hard work. You would also have to share the fruits of your labour with everyone else in your community. The central concept in this was the idea of seva, or service to the community. All of Guru Nanak's divine and physical ideas were linked in three simple messages to his followers: Adore God, work hard, and share.
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