The Guru's Teachings

Naam Japo

ਨਾਮ ਜਪੋ

Remember the Name. Keep Waheguru on the tongue and in the breath — at amrit vela, while working, while walking. Naam is the medicine that dissolves the haumai (ego).

Kirat Karo

ਕਿਰਤ ਕਰੋ

Earn an honest living through your own labour. No begging, no exploitation, no shortcuts. Dignity of work is dignity of the soul.

Vand Chhako

ਵੰਡ ਛਕੋ

Share what you earn. Give dasvandh, feed the langar, lift the one beside you. What is given in the Guru's Name is multiplied.

Humility

Mitti hoye sabhna ki — to become like dust beneath the feet of all. The Guru's Sikh walks low so the Naam can rise high.

Compassion

To feel another's pain as your own. Daya is the first of the Panj Pyare — without it, dharam has no heart.

Contentment

To accept the Guru's hukam with a still mind. The contented Sikh is rich even with nothing; the discontent is poor even with everything.

Love

Sach kahon sun lehu sabhai jin prem kio tin hi prabh paayo — only those who love attain the Beloved.

Truth

Truth is higher than everything; higher still is truthful living. To speak truth, live truth, and refuse falsehood — even when it costs.

Selfless service

Hands in service, heart in simran. Seva polishes the mirror of the mind until Waheguru is reflected in it.

Patience / endurance

To remain steady in storm. Sabar is the saint-soldier's armour against insult, loss and pain.

Forgiveness

Where the wrong is small, forgive at once; where great, forgive when justice has been done. Khima frees the forgiver before the forgiven.