Rules and Ethical Guidelines

The core values of Sikhi come from the One. The One is Sach (true, real) and so the aim of life is being sachiara (authentic, truthful, real). The godly, whatever their religious allegiance or lack thereof, show the One’s qualities as a calf shows us something of the nature of a cow. The quality of loving kindness (meeta) is a fundamental one to describe social relations. The basic qualities humans need to serve the One are humility so that we are open to the One and lovingkindness in our relationships with others. Sikhs consider that all people know what is true since the One dwells within us as a reflection in a mirror and fragrance in a flower. The One’s Hukam (Divine Will) is written in our very being and is the basis of our common sense.

Sikhs focus on The One and being godly. A person who does this is called a gurmukh. The opposite is a manmukh (self-centred person). It is wrong to deny The One and focus on our own doubts (haumai). By battling their own nature humans lose mastery of themselves and become a slave of five basic emotions – pride, anger, lust, greed and attachment.

Within the Sikh tradition, there are no ‘rules’ as such, but the Rahit Maryada (Code of Conduct) establishes a framework for spiritual practice which emphasizes moral acts as the basis, purpose and reflection of spiritual progress. Sikhi is about becoming a virtuous person. This is someone who lives in a godly way.