1. All humanity is one.

* Sikhs recite daily, “All mankind is one”, in their prayers; but don’t follow him in your life. Sikhs are classified into subgroups according to caste: farmers (Jats), businessmen (Kashtriyas / Aroras), artisans (Ramgariahs), and lower caste Sikhs (Majhabi Sikhs). Marriages are invariably within the same subgroup. This is obvious from the marriage announcements. Old traditions are changing, albeit too slowly. The power of money or the pure economy will decide the social interaction in the future.

2. Sikhs believe: (a) Remember God always, (b) Live on an honest income, (c) Share meals with the poor, and (d) Allocate 10% of earnings to the poor.

* A Sikh contributes generously to the construction / renovation of Sikh temples (gurudwaras), the publication of religious literature and community meals. Sikhs are an entrepreneurial community. They buy old Church buildings in America, which are not in use, and turn them into gurudwaras.

3. The intake of liquor and tobacco is not allowed.

* Unfortunately, most Sikhs like to drink. A social function is failure, if drinks are not served. However, most Sikhs voluntarily abide by the smoking restriction. A large percentage of Sikh farmers in Punjab use drugs such as opium.

4. Treat women equally.

* It is literally disobeyed in a traditional Sikh mentality. The gender ratio among Sikhs in 2001 in India was 893 women for every 1,000 men. The birth of a male child is a welcome event. Female infanticide is rampant, although pre-determination of the sex of the embryo is illegal in India and is punishable by law. Due to the shortage of Sikh girls to marry, non-Sikh girls are acquired / bought in neighboring states of India.

* Among wealthy Sikh families, women are better off. They are ambitious and self-sufficient, which is why a higher divorce rate prevails.

5. Control: lust, anger, attachment, greed and ego in the mind.

* Easier said than done. We always have an excuse, only the saints can overcome these negative traits, to justify our inability to rule out these vices. Sikhism claims that it is possible to overcome these negative traits even when we live with our family in society.

6. Never forget death.

* Accept that we are all temporary residents of this world, destined to die by God’s will. That there is no news, of happiness or pain, rewards or punishments, gains or losses, respect or condemnation in society, that can disturb the peace of our mind. Good news or bad news should have the same impact on us.

* We all subconsciously believe that we will not die in the near future and that we have a long life ahead of us. We love life and we want to enjoy. We need money and wealth. We can even trick our relatives or friends into acquiring or controlling the wealth or property of others. Sikhs are also normal human beings with inherent imperfections. We are pious in our behavior, if we remember death.

7. Be a good human being, to qualify to stay with God.

* A soul enters a new body, after death. It is an honor when we are born as human beings, the pinnacle of God’s creation of 8.4 million species. If we live a godly life, God will permanently accept us into His abode, the goal of all souls. If we are diabolical, our soul enters the body of other species of the animal kingdom. The soul continues to move from one body to another after death. The cycle of birth / death continues, until God finds us good enough to live with Him in His abode.

8. Maintain a unique appearance: do not cut your hair or beard.

There was a reason in the 18th century that required the Sikh guru to order: Sikhs don’t cut hair. Muslim rulers had declared cash prizes for Sikh chiefs, as Sikhs were rebels. Sikhs did not have a unique appearance until then and when Muslim soldiers asked them, “Are you a Sikh?” They denied. The unique appearance ensured that only brave people would accept the Sikh religion, as with a new look they would not be able to say that they were not Sikh.

* Now the scenario has changed and the younger generation of Sikhs question the relevance of the Guru dictates issued 300 years ago.

* Unfortunately, the Sikhs and the perpetrators of 9/11 are very similar. Now Sikhs have to educate American citizens, who are different. It is an arduous and essential task. Sikhs do not want a repeat of the Wisconsin Sikh temple murder episode.

9. Go to religious places to purify your soul, but idol worship is not allowed.

* Sikhs visit religious places. A visit to the Golden Temple of Amritsar is a must in the life of a Sikh. The goal is to seek God’s blessings to improve positive traits and reduce negative ones. We bathe in the sacred pool, listen to spiritual hymns, and the pilgrimage is complete. In fact, Sikhs treat the holy book with reverence, but respect is similar to idol worship. In winter, they cover the holy book with a blanket, an irrational activity.

10. The aim of the Sikhs is: To be a pure and perfect human being (Khalsa).

Sikhism is a great religion. Every Sikh aspires to become a perfect human being: a Khalsa, in the Punjabi language. To achieve that goal, Sikhs have to do a lot: understand the scriptures and apply the guidelines in life. It is not impossible, but it is not an easy task.