I was surprised to learn that Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world with 30 million members worldwide. Eighty percent live in Punjab, India, while 560,000 live in North American and 420,000 live in the UK (Sikhism, n.d.). Guru Nanak founded Sikhism in 1469, “at a time of spiritual, social, and political necessity” (Why, n.d.). Guru Nanak taught a new faith – different from Hinduism and Islam of the time – rejecting their social practices of the time. Sikhs believe in one god, called Waheguru, meaning ‘Great Teacher’. They believe this god will reveal “himself to those who are ready when he chooses, and that he has done so throughout history” (Brewilly, 1997). Guru Nanak spoke against the caste system of the time. Sikhism’s basic beliefs can be expressed in the words of the Mool Mantra: There is one god. His name is truth. He is the creator. He is present throughout his creation. He fears none. He hates none. His existence is immortal. He is not born, nor does he die. He is self-illuminated. He is realized through the grace of the Guru. Sikhs have had eleven Gurus to found their religion, including Nanak and only ten have been human. The last Guru – Guru Gobind Singh – stated that there did not need to be any more Gurus and he said that the teachings of the ten Gurus (complied in the Guru Granth Sahab –the Eleventh Guru) would be the only Guru that the Khalsa needed. This Eleventh Guru is also called the Eternal Guru (Champman). The Khalsa was founded by Guru Gobind Singh to be “a community of those who undertake to uphold the Sikh religion and values and to defend all those in need, regardless of religion or caste” (Brewilly, 1997). In 1969, Singh gathered the Sikhs in Anandpur to celebrate their harvest festival. He called for a man willing to die for his faith. One by one, a man stepped into his tent and Singh came out with a bloody sword. All in all, it appeared to the crowd that five men had met their deaths; instead, the Guru opened the tent and there they were! At that time, Guru Singh gave new names to men and women to bring equality: men called Singh; women called Kaur.

Joining the Khalsa is a big step and many wait until late in life – however it can be common in some areas for boys between fourteen and sixteen to enter Khalsa. In the initiation ceremony, the current Khalsa members must be present. They hand over to the candidate(s) one of the 5 K’s. The candidate then vows to: defend the faith; to serve others; to refrain from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs: and to pray regularly. The Mool Mantra is recited as are the Ardas prayers chanted and then they are then handed the next of the 5 K’s. The process continues until all of the 5 K’s have been vowed upon. The 5 K’s are: Kes (untrimmed hair). Kangha (a wooden comb worn in the hair), Kirpan (a sword); Kara (an iron wristlet) and Kachehra (baggy shorts). Today Sikhs believe they are born into the Khalsa. There is no specific age when they join and no initiation ceremony. All Sikhs do not wear the 5 K’s. Appearing with the 5 K’s was more important when the religion was forms – as they wanted to identify themselves as different (Champman ) Nearly all Sikhs also wear a turban. It is not one of the 5 K’s, yet is worn to keep the uncut hair tidy and to resemble Guru Gobind Singh as closely as possible. It is also an