Family and Community

The Gurus taught that people should live in families. Nine of the ten human Gurus were married and had families. Sadhsangat or fellowship is also very important as this is regarded as the source of values, emotional support and intellectual guidance for the spiritual journey.

Sikh parents encourage their children to take part in the four rites of passage (see ‘The Journey of life’ p7). They will also perform some or all of the Nitnem or daily prayers and attend the gurdwara frequently.

Practice may involve a range of daily, weekly and monthly programmes in the local gurdwara and, sometimes, across gurdwaras.

The impact on the community occurs during processions marking important dates in the Sikh calendar. Free food and drink is made available to non-Sikhs as well as Sikhs along the route of the procession. The langar is open for free food and serves an important community need for certain people as well as Sikhs.

Sikhs regard their private beliefs as personal and do not seek to convert other people. The challenge is to live an authentic life and that challenge has been unchanged from the past to the present and will remain unchanged in the future.