Sikhism is a monotheistic religion. It means that Sikhs believe there is one God. One of the most important names for God in Sikhism is Waheguru (Wonderful God or Lord).
–“I Will Fully Declare What Result the Giver Obtains After Death if He Gives Food, Designed for the Gods or Manes, to a Man Who Is Unworthy to Sit in the Compant.”
— “I Am Neither Male Nor Female, Nor Am I Sexless. I Am the Peaceful One, Whose Form Is Self-effulgent, Powerful Radiance.”
–“Burn Worldly Love, Rub the Ashes and Make Ink of It, Make the Heart the Pen, the Intellect the Writer, Write That Which Has No End or Limit.”
–““Even Kings and Emperors, With Mountains of Property and Oceans of Wealth – These Are Not Even Equal to an Ant, Who Does Not Forget God.”
–“Practicing hypocrisy and attaching your mind to worldly objects, your doubt shall never depart.”
–“The Production of Children, the Nurture of Those Born, and the Daily Life of Men, of These Matters Woman Is Visibly the Cause.”
— “Before becoming a Sikh, a Hindu, a Muslim or a Christian Lets Become a Human First.”
Waheguru is the name used by Sikhs when referring to God. It is a compound of several words:
Wahe – wonderful,
awe-inspiring.
Gu – dark gooey attachment.
Roo – a (liberating) ray of light.
The word guru refers to a religious guide or teacher guide. Waheguru means wondrous enlightener.
The Sikh scripture Guru Granth teaches us, that salvation may be attained by meditating on Naam, or the identity of the divine enlightener. Sikhs are encouraged to remember God always, by a method known as Simran. Instruction is given during initiation at the time of baptism to recite Gurmanter, a term which means mantra of Waheguru. Gurmanter is to be recited as a meditation in the Amritvela early morning hours, and also throughout the day.
| Punjabi | Meaning | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ik Onkar | God is One, though there are different paths to experiencing the one God. | There is only one God |
| Sat Naam | God’s name is Truth. God is True. Naam can be compared to a jewel or treasure. | Truth is his name |
| Karta Purkh | God caused the universe and everything in it to exist. God keeps the universe going, sustaining it. | He is the Creator |
| Nir Bhau | God has no rivals. God is sovereign. Nothing can harm or threaten God. | He is without fear |
| Nir Vair | God loves creation and judges fairly. | He is without hate |
| Akaal Moorat | God is not tied down by time. God is beyond time. Time is God’s servant, not God’s master. God is neither male nor female. | He is immortal, without form |
| Ajooni | God was not born (unborn) and will not die. | He is beyond birth and death |
| Saibhang | God is not dependent upon anything. God just is. | He is self-illuminated (self-existent) |
| Gur Parsaad | A person cannot get to God by their own efforts. God has to open their eyes first. God offers this knowledge freely, by grace, so that someone who dedicates their life to learning and understanding God through the teachings of the Gurus can come to know God. | He is realised (made known) by the kindness of the true Guru |