Teach Yourself Sikhism is a comprehensive guide to the faith itself and to Sikh society. It looks at all aspects of Sikhism including:



- worship and festivals

- Sikh initiation

- the Gurus and the beginnings of Sikhism

- the Sikh scriptures and teachings about God

- the family

- marriage and death

- Sikh names and the naming ceremony

- ethics

- Sikhism in the modern period.



The 'Teach Yourself World Faiths' series aims to present all the essential information required by a reader who has no previous knowledge of the religion, but who wants to feel confident in dealing with members of the faith community - in terms of their beliefs and attitudes, and also of the practical details of their culture, ceremony, diet and moral views. As such it is relevant to the needs of police, social workers, solicitors, businessmen, teachers and all who require sensitivity and insight in dealing with the public in a multi-faith and multi-ethnic society.



"Teach Yourself Sikhism" is an introduction to the history, beliefs, religious practices and social customs of Sikhism. It is suitable for A-level students, as background reading for undergraduate students in Religious Studies, and for the general reader.

Table of Contents:
01 Introduction: worship
02 The beginning of Sikhism
03 Initiation
04 The family
05 Sikh names and the naming ceremony
06 Marriage
07 Death
08 The Sikh Gurus
09 Festivals and their meanings
10 Ethics
11 The scriptures
12 Teachings about God
13 Human nature and spiritual liberation
14 Sikhism in the modern period
15 The Dispersion
Further reading
Glossary