HOW EUROPE IS INDEBTED TO THE SIKHS ? - Global Sikh Studies

(sacred kitchen) or for some other charitable purposes. In Sikhism tithe
is n0t "donation", it is an obligatory duty, but it must not be done for
exhibition nor it is an investment for any material or spiritual
gain/return. In Sikhism, service in any form, is a cardinal virtue. A
Sikh has an obligation to participate in some kind of service regularly.
Some people consider serving in Gurdwara, in Langar (sacred Sikh
kitchen) as most sacred, but it is not so. Service in any form and in any
situation has the same sanctity. The only consideration is that it should
be done with most humility, devotion and from the core of one's heart.
A Sikh does not perform service under compulsion or coercion rather
it is a matter of pride for a Sikh. One might have seen thousands of
Sikhs performing Kar Sewa (usually cleaning the silt of the tanks of
Gurdwaras) and in this Kar Sewa royal family, feudal and billionaire
people make equal participation with utmost zeal, devotion and pride.
It is remarkable that every Sikh wants to surpass the others in
participating in one or another Sewa.
The concept of 'sharing with others' is no less unique in
Sikhism. A Sikh feels it a pleasure in contributing a part of his income
for some religious cause or for the social welfare. A Sikh believes in
giving something to others and not asking for some help. However, it
does not mean that a Sikh is prohibited to accept help even when one
needs it. A Sikh loves in participating in social activities to the extent
of feasibility. Sikh never shirks work or duty of responsibility.
A Sikh is a man of words. If a Sikh promises to help to some one he
shall never turn his back even if he has to pay a very high price for it.
Guru Sahib themselves practised these ideals in their lives.
In Sikhism meditation is not an imbalance approach. It is not a
mere ritual or formality. A Sikh need not renounce world in order to
achieve liberation or union with God. A Sikh can achieve spiritual
height even as a householder. A Sikh does not believe in "other
wordiness". For a Sikh there is no heaven or hell beyond this world.
Living Truthful life, in noble fear of the Almighty, is heaven. Having
no faith in God and living an unethical life is hell.
A Sikh does not worship gods, goddesses, idols, prophets,
martyrs or heroes. A Sikh does not worship even Guru Sahib. A Sikh
does not have to adopt any type of hypocritical worship or rituals.
Sikhs worship only the Almighty. Concentrating on God, meditating in
the Name of the Almighty, practising Truthful life, loving human
beings, living in the noble fear of and performing the worship of the
Almighty is the Sikh way of life. sikhs need not first worship a prophet
or Guru in order to achieve union
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