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At the first initiation of the Khalsa Brotherhood, Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave the instructions to the Panj Piyaras during the ceremony of Amrit. These instructions may be summarized as under:

1. Believe in only the One Absolute God, the Ten Sikh Gurus and Guru Granth Sahib.

2. The Mool Mantar contains the basic tenet of Sikh belief and the Sikh's Gur-mantar is "Waheguru".

3. Daily recite Banis (Nitnem) namely, Japji, Jaap, Swayyas, Chaupai, Anand Sahib, Rehras and Sohila.

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In Sikhism, great emphasis is laid on Satsang. By joining congregational prayers and making contact with saints the devotee comes to divine knowledge. The inspiration given by good people leads to the development of the spiritual personality. Holy people preach purity through personal example and kindle the heart with universal love. They warn the individual of the five great vices. Psychologically, the association with holy men helps as a deterrent against evil thoughts and deeds.

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The basic creed of the Sikhs - the Mool Mantra - gives the idea of Reality in a few telling words. The creed is:

ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
Ik­oaʼnkār saṯ nām karṯā purakẖ nirbẖa­o nirvair akāl mūraṯ ajūnī saibẖaʼn gur parsāḏ.

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Practical Sikhism is based on three pragmatic concepts Nam Japna, Kirt Karna and Wand Chhakna. This three-fold path signifies the remembrance of "The Name" performing honest labour for a living and sharing one's earnings with others. All is to be practised in daily life.

Guru Amardas advised Bhai Budda regarding an ideal Sikh's life. Some of the points are mentioned below:

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The Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada (the Sikh booklet of Code of Conduct) states:

"(j) A Sikh must not take hemp (cannabis), opium, liquor, tobacco, in short any intoxicant. His only routine intake should be food."
(SRM: Chapter X, Article XVI)

The Sikh Gurus banned the use of intoxicants including alcohol on account of its harmful effects. It is physically harmful and mentally disturbing.

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The Panthic Sikh Rehit Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) makes it clear that the four Bajjar Kurehits (cardinal prohibitions) for a Sikh, which result in apostasy from the Sikh faith:

੧) ਕੇਸਾਂ ਦੀ ਬੇ-ਅਦਬੀ ।
੨) ਕੁੱਠਾ ਖਾਣਾ ।
੩) ਪਰ-ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਜਾਂ ਪਰ-ਪੁਰਸ਼ ਦਾ ਗਮਨ (ਭੋਗਣਾ) ।
੪) ਤਮਾਕੂ ਦਾ ਵਰਤਣਾ ।

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Any form of casteism is rejected and condemned in Gurmat. If anyone uses their surname to promote their caste and show others that they are superior than someone else, this is condemned.

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Sikhism rejects any form of idol worship including worship of pictures of the Gurus. Artists renditions depicting Sikh history are for inspirational and educational purposes only and should not be regarded as objects of worship themselves. However, these pictures for educational or inspirational purposes should be not hung in the main hall of the Gurdwara where Guru Granth Sahib Ji is present. Instead they should be hung in a separate hall or museum.

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The Sikh Rehat Maryada a booklet of the Official Sikh Code of Conduct and Conventions sanctioned by Sri Akaal Takht Sahib, the Sikh Supreme Seat of Authority.

There were a number of unsuccessful attempts in the eighteenth century following the death of Guru Gobind Singh Ji to produce an accurate portrayal of the Sikh conduct and customs. There were numerous Rehatnamas (Codes of Conducts recorded by the Sikh contemporaries of the 10th Guru) however some of them conflicted with one another and some were clearly forged and not in line with Gurmat (the teachings of the Guru).

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In recent years, the incidences of interfaith marriages (i.e. Sikh and non-Sikh) have been increasing in Gurdwaras across the world despite the Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada clearly stating that "a Sikh should marry only a Sikh."

In response to the growing trend of Gurdwaras relaxing Gur Maryada to accommodate the wishes of individuals rather than respect the Guru's teachings and Sikh Rehat Maryada, the Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib - the Supreme seat of authority of the Sikhs - has issued a Hukumnama (decree) regarding this matter on the 16-8-2007.

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A number of modern 'Nihang Singhs' observe some rituals and practices, which are contrary to Gurmat, for example the consumption of marijuana (‘bhang'). These customs and 'traditions' crept in to Nihangs during the period when the Mahants (Hindu caretakers) managed and maintained our Gurdwaras in 18 th – early 20 th century. During this period the Sikh religion was distorted and many non-Sikh practices infiltrated into the Sikh Panth.

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Nothing can replace Naam and Naam must be japped (repeated) by a Gursikh. Doing as much Gurbani Paath (reading prayers) as possible is good for japping Naam but ultimately the main aim is to japp Naam. Reading and contemplating on the message of Gurbani is the greatest aiding Karma for japping Naam.

ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬੋਲੇ ਗੁਣ ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੫॥
"Servant Nanak chants the Glorious Words of the Guru's Bani; through them, one is absorbed into the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||4||5||"

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Sikhism is a way to live a wholesome and perfect spiritually balanced life whilst living in the wider society. It's a complete form of life. "Sikh" literally means "learner" or "seeker of Truth". The Sikh faith emphasises on healthy living. Sikhs are vegetarians, abstain from alcohol and tobacco, and generally practice two hours of devotional meditation every morning. Sikhs are also encouraged to make charitable contributions and fight injustices.

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The Sikh Guru Sahibaan have instructed us to meditate only on the Shabad. Guru's Shabad is the Guru's Mantra and this GurMantar is not "Dhan Guru Nanak" or "Dhan Guru Gobind Singh".

The vilakhantaa (uniqueness) of our Guru Sahibaan is that they did not have their Sikhs recite their Naam but the Naam of Akaal Purakh.

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Touching a (sarbloh) Kirpan to the Karhaah Parshaad (sacred pudding) is a tradition that we can trace back to the lives of the Guru Sahibaans (before 1708 CE). This action served as an indication of the Guru's acceptance and blessing of the Sikh nation, and the Sikhs' acceptance and consumption of parshaad displays a submission to the Guru.

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The Panthic Sikh Rehit Maryada (Section Four, Chapter X, Article XVI) states:

"r. A Sikh, when he meets another Sikh, should greet him with "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh" (Rendered into English: The Khalsa is Waheguru's; victory too is His !). This is ordained for Sikh men and women both.

Bhai Desa Singh Ji (a contemporary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) writes in a Rehitnama:

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਨਿਤ ਬਚਨ ਉਚਾਰੇ ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਕੋ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਧਾਰੈ ॥

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The Panthic Sikh Rehit Maryada (Section Four, Chapter X, Article XVI) states:

"s. It is not proper for a Sikh woman to wear veil or keep her face hidden by veil or cover."

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