Beliefs About God in Sikhism

This section explains Beliefs About God in Sikhism. Sikhism, like many other religious traditions, has a rich and multifaceted understanding of God. Sikhs use various names and terms to describe the Divine, with the most widely recognised name being Waheguru, which translates to 'Wondrous Enlightener' or 'Wonderful Teacher'. Sikhs believe that there is only one God who created everything in the universe, and that Waheguru should always remain in the mind. Sikhism, as a way of life, encourages adherents to live in accordance with their beliefs, bringing them closer to Waheguru through actions and devotion in their everyday lives.

Sikhs describe God in a variety of ways, each of which reflects different aspects of the Divine:

• Sat Nam – The True Name
• Ik Onkar – There is Only One God
• Akal Purkh – The Eternal Being

Key Beliefs About Waheguru

Sikhs hold that Waheguru is:

• The Creator: Waheguru is responsible for the creation of everything, and the act of creation is an expression of God's will, known as Hukam.
• Ineffable: Waheguru's essence is beyond the capacity of human language to fully describe. He is beyond comprehension and cannot be adequately captured in words.
• Genderless: Waheguru transcends the human concepts of gender, being neither male nor female.
• Self-revealing and Necessary: Waheguru is both Sargun (having form, immanent within creation) and Nirgun (without form, transcendent beyond creation). Waheguru is essential to the existence of the universe, yet is not reliant on anything for his existence. As both immanent and transcendent, Waheguru can engage with creation while remaining unaffected by it.
• Eternal: Waheguru is timeless, existing outside the cycles of birth and death. He is beyond the limitations of time and space.
• Present in All Creation: Waheguru is present in all beings, in the form of a divine spark – the soul, which reflects God's presence in every part of creation.
• Revealed by the Grace of the Guru: Sikhs believe that through the teachings and guidance of the Ten Gurus, Waheguru's nature is revealed. The wisdom of the Gurus is seen as a pathway to understanding God.
• Knowable to All: Waheguru can be known and understood by anyone who dedicates themselves to learning and spiritual practice.

The Nature of Waheguru

Sikhs believe that only Waheguru should be worshipped. Accordingly, there are no images or idols of Waheguru. However, images of the Ten Gurus can be found in gurdwaras, where they are honoured and respected. The Gurus are never worshipped or treated as gods themselves but are viewed as the divinely inspired teachers who convey Waheguru's wisdom.

The Mool Mantar

The Mool Mantar is the most important composition in Sikhism, serving as a statement of Sikh belief and the foundation of the Sikh faith. This mantra expresses the essential nature of Waheguru and is central to the understanding of Sikhism. It is taught to young Sikh children and is regarded as the essence of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, which is believed to be the divine word of Waheguru and is considered infallible.

The first line of the Mool Mantar, "Ik Onkar" (There is only one God), encapsulates the central belief of Sikhism, emphasising both the oneness of God and the unity of humanity. The symbol for Ik Onkar is commonly displayed in gurdwaras and homes, reminding Sikhs to focus on this fundamental truth when praying or meditating.

The full Mool Mantar is as follows:

• Ik Onkar – There is only one God
• Sat Nam – Eternal truth is His name
• Kurtah Purakh – He is the Creator
• Nir Bhau – Without fear
• Nir Vair – Without hate
• Akaal Moorat – Immortal, without form
• Ajooni – Beyond birth and death
• Saibhang – Self-existent
• Gurprasaad – By the Guru’s grace

God as the Creator

Sikhs believe that Waheguru created the universe, including the world and all living beings. Before the creation of the universe, there was only Waheguru. The act of creation itself is seen as a result of Waheguru's will, known as Hukam. Sikhs hold the belief in the oneness of creation, meaning that Waheguru is both the creator of the world and a part of it. He sustains the world and is responsible for all that happens within it. Therefore, Sikhs feel a duty to respect and care for the world and its inhabitants.

Unlike other religions, Sikhism does not have detailed creation stories. The focus of Sikh scripture is more on the nature of creation and Waheguru's ongoing role in sustaining it, rather than on explaining the origins of the universe. Many Sikhs accept scientific theories of the universe's creation, such as the Big Bang theory, which posits that the universe began approximately 15 billion years ago.

A passage from the Guru Granth Sahib that reflects Waheguru’s role in creation is:

"He established the earth, the sky and the air, the water of the oceans, fire and food. He created the moon, the stars and the sun, night and day, and mountains; He blessed the trees with flowers and fruits. He created the gods, human beings and the seven seas; He established the three worlds." – Guru Granth Sahib 1399

God as Separate and Part of the Universe

Sikhs believe that Waheguru is both Nirgun (transcendent) and Sargun (immanent). Waheguru is transcendent in that He is beyond human understanding and separate from creation. He is not bound by time or space and is beyond the limitations of the material world. Waheguru cannot be adequately described by human language or experience, and so He is often described as ineffable, beyond comprehension.

At the same time, Waheguru is immanent in the universe, meaning that His presence is felt in everything that exists. Waheguru is the divine spark within all living beings, providing life and meaning to creation. Everything that happens in the world is part of Waheguru's plan, expressed through Hukam. Sikhs believe that this dual aspect of God – both separate and present within creation – allows Waheguru to care for His creation and engage with it intimately.

In the words of the Guru Granth Sahib:

"He possesses all qualities; He transcends all qualities." – Guru Granth Sahib 290

This dual nature of Waheguru underscores the belief that God is both immanent within the world and yet transcendent, beyond the world and human understanding, thus inspiring Sikhs to see the divine presence in every aspect of life.