Sikhs Expectations Of A Sikh Religion

In addition to these expectations from any Sikh, they are expected to work towards one goal which is “Union with God”, as Nanak considered the Union with the God to be a “blissful union” (Huston Smith, 77). Furthermore, Sikhs are expected to accept the teaching ideals of the Gurus such as honesty, piety, love, and compassion in entirety. Additionally, the Sikh community is expected to tolerate other religions and treat everyone equally as according to Sikhism religion, everyone is equal in the eyes of God. According to the Sikh religion, the only way to remember God is by meditating on the name of God, and thus, they are not allowed to worship idols, pictures, or stones. In addition, Sikhs should pray before beginning any kind of work. A Sikh

is not to have any faith in untouchability, astrology, any ceremonial cutting of hair, or any kind of death rites (Sikhs.org). Thus, these expectations are of utter significance in the Sikh religion, and are to be fulfilled by any Sikh.
Another belief of Sikhism is that getting married and having a normal family life is not an obstacle in the path of attaining salvation. However, it follows a certain procedure and is known as “Anand Karaj”, which means a “Blissful Union” (Sikhs.org). While the marriage could take place between the people belonging to any caste or race, both of them needs to affirm in Sikh faith in order to get married through Anand Karaj ceremony. Sikh people do not match horoscopes before the marriage, and the marriage takes place in front of their Holy book or the 11th living Guru called Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Moreover, the marriage can take place in any Gurdwara (worshipping place) or home as long as the Guru Granth Sahib is present and placed appropriately. The ceremony begins with a Sikh prayer called Ardas and is followed by singing of few hymns that are written in Guru Granth Sahib. The wedding vows are made by walking around the Guru Granth Sahib four times forming a circle. After the ceremony takes place, a langar (food) is organized at the Gurdwara for everyone (Sikhs.org).