By Slinder K. Gill
Senior Radiographer
St James’s Hospital
This is a distinct religion by the teachings of the ten Gurus. The 1st of whom
was Guru Nanak Dev Ji (born 1469) and the 10th and last human Guru, Guru
Gobind Singh Ji (in 1708) who gave all authority to the Guru Granth Sahib ji
(the holy scriptures).
Sikhs believe there is one god present in all things and everyone. The object
of a Sikhs life is to develop consciousness of God and to receive Gods grace
through truthful living and selfless service guided by the following
principles:
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Remembering & praying to God.
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Earning an honest living.
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Sharing with the poor.
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Treating all human beings as equal.
Baptised Sikhs wear 5 articles of faith:
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Uncut hair (Kesh) a gift from God.
A small wooden comb (Kangha) symbolises cleanliness.
Iron/steel bangle (Kara) represents self restraint.
A short sword (Kirpan) emblem of courage and commitment to
truth and justice.
Shorts (Kashera) represent purity of moral character.
These articles have deep spiritual and moral significances,
forming part of the Sikh code of Ethics and Discipline and these
articles of faith must not be removed of the body of a Sikh.
It is important however to avoid stereotyping and to be aware
that each individual may follow the religion to a greater or lesser
extent.
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To learn as much as possible
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To seek wisdom & knowledge and avoid suffering caused by ignorance & find
happiness.
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To face our fears.
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To know one self.
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To leave the world a better place than you found it.
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To benefit others.
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Give more than to take.
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To forgive & accept human flaws.
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To seek peace.
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During the time of sickness Sikh’s pray to seek God’s help to
obtain peace and ask for forgiveness.
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The sacred word provides them with physical and spiritual
strength and nourishments.
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Sikhs consider illness to be the will of God but one has to
make every effort to get well.
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Suffering is not inflicted directly by God but is permitted by
God as a test of courage and faith.
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Suffering is appreciated for the good that it often brings out
in people and prompts man to turn his thought to God.
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Sikhs believe we are given pain and suffering
because of the bad deeds we have done in our
previous lives and paying for it now.
Sikhs, like Hindus believe in reincarnation, closely
linked to this is the concept of Karma.
Karma is defined as deeds in the present and
previous life which determines how a soul is reborn
during reincarnation.
Some Sikhs may refuse analgesic pain relief
as they would prefer to suffer any pain & use
it as a learning experience.
“Is a great gift to life”
The Sikh philosophy & teachings place great emphasis on the importance of giving
and putting others before one self.
“
Where self exists, there is no God.
Where God exists there is no self.”
-Guru Nanak-
The Sikh faith stresses the importance of performing noble deeds.
Sikhs believe in life after death is a continuous cycle of rebirth but the physical
body is not needed in this cycle – a person’s soul is their real essence. The body is
simply flesh & perishable.
The last act of giving and helping others through organ donation is both consistent
with and in the spirit of Sikh teachings.
“The true servants of God are those
who serve him through helping others.”
-Guru Nanak-
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Most Sikhs would have no objection to
blood transfusions.
Respecting sacred life is part of the Sikh religion so every
effect must be made to save their life. However this must be
carefully balanced with the idea that the dying Sikh will go to rejoin
God at their death. Thus maintaining a patient on life support in a
vegetative state for example is not acceptable.
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Healthcare staff must make efforts to save the life of a Sikh, but
know when to let go. Resuscitation must be carried out if
necessary, but not to extremes, if a heartbeat/breathing cannot be
restored then Sikhs believe that the soul has departed and the
flesh is empty.
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In the final stages of illness a Sikh patient is
comforted by reciting hymns from the Holy
Scripture. If the condition of the body permits the
eyes and mouth should be closed and limbs
straightened with arms placed beside the body.
Staff must ensure that none of the five articles of
faith on the body of a Sikh are disturbed and not to
trim the hair on the beard and the hair on the head
should be covered at all times.
Any Questions?
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Guru Granth Sahib Ji
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Sikh.net
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Chanet at 2003

Beliefofnet.com
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CMAJ
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Sidhu, 1973