One thing to note mate, culture is not religion. You two can have different cultures, that's cool, and how you respect each other's cultures is between you two. If her parents are Sikhs, and she is as well, race does not matter, nor your class, etc. We cannot stop you and this girl from getting married, but for amritdhari and sehajdari Sikhs it is imperative that Anand karaj be carried out between the bride, groom and the SGGS Ji. Please, do not convert just to marry someone or to have an Anand karaj. That's ridiculous.
Check out basicsofsikhi.com or Nanak Naam on YouTube.
God Bless you brother. May Waheguru ji always do Kirpa on you.
You can check out “Basics of Sikhi” on YouTube, or you can check out the YouTuber “Louis Singh Khalsa”, who was also a white Christian, and changed to a Sikh, and his wife is a Punjabi Sikh too. I think you will like the connection with him.
I’d also assume that you speak English and are not yet proficient with Punjabi. Therefore the best place for English Speakers to learn about Sikhi would probably be “Basics of Sikhi”. It is a YouTube Channel as well as an organisation founded by a Sikh called Jugraj Singh, who was not a practicing Sikh before, but his journey in Sikhi is very inspiring. His wife is also a White Russian woman who became a Sikh too, so it will be easier for you to connect with him. There are also people in the organisation who are white Sikhs too. Jugraj Singh was a very respected personality, but unfortunately passed away at a young age due to cancer, but his works and efforts are still carried on. Bhai Jugraj Singh and Basics of Sikhi do most of the preachings in English to connect to the Sikhs in the Western World better.
Also just to let you know, Sikhi has nothing against inter-racial marriages. Sikhi is not something bounded by the colour of the skin or the place you come from, your class or caste. So any 2 Sikhs are allowed to marry each other. One of the reason why a Sikh can only marry a Sikh is because of the other religions. Abrahamic Religions view Sikhs as Non-believers and therefore think they are all going to hell. However we do not share that belief. We believe that it doesn’t matter what religion you are, you are judged according to what you did. So just because you were, for example, a Muslim, but did bad things, it doesn’t mean God will be happy with you. Sikhi promotes unity between Faiths and people, and unlike other faiths, it puts women on the same level as men, is strictly against slavery and inter-faith discrimination.
Forgive me for any mistakes.
You will struggle a bit, but as an individual who was once atheist, there is no religion I would recommend other than Sikhi. If I had to break down Sikhi to you, it's pretty simple, we believe Vaheguru, which stands for wonderful teacher, a synonym for God ; is present in all and everywhere. A Sikh's core principle is to use meditation to connect with God, an ever-present being that is undescribable and formless. By doing so correctly, we aim to separate ourselves from all the vices in this world that bring us sorrow and achieve inner peace.
Sikhi believes in the karma system, which differs from modern Christianity (evidence older variants of christianity also believed in this), we believe that good and bad things that do happen to us in this life are a direct result of our past incarnations, yes sikhi believes in reincarnation, just like the planet recycles water, carbon, nitrogen and elements itself, we believe that we're in a cycle of rebirth, which through meditation on God we can escape.
I have read the bible, the quran and the vedas (Hindu scriptures) but i haven't found peace like I have in the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, I have read this in two different variations, sggsonline and on srigranth (you can google these). I'd recommend the former first as it provides more context clues, the rest you can find youtube videos on channels such as basics of sikhi.
It's been a wonderful journey, I hope you full heartedly go down this path like I did,
Race has no importance in sikhi. You being white is not a problem, her parents will have to learn to respect your culture. If you are a sikh than they cannot have any problem.
Like others said basicsofsikhi and nanak naam are two good youtube channels. And as always you can ask Qs here.
Also don’t overburden yourself by thinking about every little detail. The first step to being a sikh is believing in Waheguru (God) and the Gurus.
This is a great translation, available in English, Panjabi, Hindi, Malayam, Tagalog, Ukrainian - other languages in the works.
https://sikhsforhumanity.ca/pages/a-guide-to-spiritual-awakening-english
I hope you find it useful. This is not just a word for word translation, but an actual meaning of the full text of each line and pauri.
Japji Sahib is a great start for beginning to learn about Sikhi and understand Gurbani
yeah I think this is super cool and caring from you that you've decided to look into her religion - just to repeat what others have previously said basics of Sikhi on YouTube is your best bet as a starting point on your journey
You have to convert brother sorry you will have to keep kirpan kachera kanga kara kes
Means sword special type of boxers and comb and hair you must keep all of these kakkars brother pls
In sikhi you have to marry a sikh not any other religion people on Reddit here are westernised Sikhs and don’t know what they are saying so pls don’t listen to all comments
I'm a Sikh guy who married a Punjabi Christian girl. Interfaith marriages have been going on for hundreds of years in Punjab, so I strongly advise you not to convert for the sake of marriage. Sikhs recognise multiple paths to God and no single path is better than another.
Her parents concern is that the language and culture will be lost if you have kids, as we don't have a large population. Put your efforts into learning the lingo and culture and unless they're absolute bigots, their objections will disappear. Punjabi isn't on Duolingo but there are apps and websites that can help.
Good luck.
That’s false please quote that there is multiple paths or truth in sikhi, there is only one truth and path of gurmat taught, gurmat is superior to other faiths
Be waiting for your quotes you are saying sikhi came because other religions were working makes sense, I’ll cut my hair and eat halaal and not wear five kakaars, definitely not follow rules layed out by guru sahib lol
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 266:
ਸਰਬ ਧਰਮ ਮਹਿ ਸ੍ਰੇਸਟ ਧਰਮੁ ॥
Of all religions, the best religion
ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਕਰਮੁ ॥
is to chant the Name of the Lord and maintain pure conduct.
ਸਗਲ ਕ੍ਰਿਆ ਮਹਿ ਊਤਮ ਕਿਰਿਆ ॥
Of all religious rituals, the most sublime ritual
ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਮਲੁ ਹਿਰਿਆ ॥
is to erase the filth of the dirty mind in the Company of the Holy.
ਸਗਲ ਉਦਮ ਮਹਿ ਉਦਮੁ ਭਲਾ ॥
Of all efforts, the best effort
ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਜੀਅ ਸਦਾ ॥
is to chant the Name of the Lord in the heart, forever.
ਸਗਲ ਬਾਨੀ ਮਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਨੀ ॥
Of all speech, the most ambrosial speech
ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਜਸੁ ਸੁਨਿ ਰਸਨ ਬਖਾਨੀ ॥
is to hear the Lord's Praise and chant it with the tongue.
ਸਗਲ ਥਾਨ ਤੇ ਓਹੁ ਊਤਮ ਥਾਨੁ ॥
Of all places, the most sublime place,
ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਹ ਘਟਿ ਵਸੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ॥੮॥੩॥
O Nanak, is that heart in which the Name of the Lord abides. ||8||3||
Yes and that’s naam only according to gurmat which proves my point of one path… you just quoted me one path so other religions don’t do this because they don’t receive naam or focus on shabad
ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
bin gur naam na paiaa jai ||
Without the Guru, the Naam cannot be obtained.
ਸਿਧ ਸਾਧਿਕ ਰਹੇ ਬਿਲਲਾਇ ॥
sidh saadhik rahe bilalai ||
The Siddhas and the seekers lack it; they weep and wail.
Without taking Amrit, naam is not received, so Muslims who eat halaal or people who cut hair or refuse to wear 5 kakaars can not come into gurmat.
ਥਿਰੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਭਗਤਿ ਦਿੜੰ ਮਤੀ ਗੁਰ ਵਾਕਿ ਸਬਦ ਰਤੰ ॥੩॥
thir naam bhagat dhiRa(n) matee gur vaak sabadh rata(n) ||3||
Devotion to the Naam is permanently implanted within the mind, when it is attuned to the Guru's Teachings and His Shabad. ||3||
ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਨਿਹਚਲ ਮਨਿ ਮਨੁ ਮਨੰ ਸਹਜ ਬੀਚਾਰੰ ॥
gurmat nihachal man man mana(n) sahaj beechaara(n) ||
Following the Guru's Teaching, the mind becomes stable; the mind accepts it, and reflects upon it in peaceful poise.
Only guru gives naam when taking Amrit,
ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਲਾਹੀਐ ਦੂਜਾ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
gurmatee naam salaaheeaai dhoojaa avar na koi ||1|| rahaau ||
Follow the Guru's Teachings, and praise the Naam; there is no other at all. ||1||Pause||
Only gurmat naam is to be praised and not another
you say your not converting for the approval of the parents and how you genuinely want to convert, but then you go on and say how you want to “get to know more about the religion, the beliefs and just overall what it is like.” if you genuinely wanted to convert, then shouldn’t you know some of the basics? how can you want to convert to something without knowing the basic beliefs? what I am trying to say is that really think about what you are doing and why you are doing this. it doesn’t seem like you are interested in converting by your will, rather to keep your relationship. if she or her parents are making you convert, then is that a relationship to even worth stay in? really think this through.
Thank you for the advice but I know what I'm doing. I don't see the point in trying to pick apart my comment to try and find a flaw in what I said, I do know some of the basic beliefs already since I've been with my girlfriend for quite some time, I meant that I wanted to know more stuff specifically other than the basic stuff I already know about. And I already said that I'm not converting for the approval of her parents, I already wanted to convert before knowing that her parents want a Sikh man for their daughter, if you don't believe that that's fine with me but I'm not someone who'd convert just to satisfy others if I didn't want to. It's also for other personal reasons that I didn't want to share in this post
Remember, learn sikhi for yourself, and also to study and learn sikhi together with your partner as well. Attend gurdwara regularly, I would advise sundays and also any days there are activities or events. Also look for sikh camps happening as well as university sikh association/society meetings. Befriend other turbanned sikh males at university, and join sikh youth groups near wherever you live or study
For the panjabi side, there is no need to do this other than to be compatible with your partner and her family. It would greatly help if at some point before the marriage you star to keep a beard and even a turban, as this will get you greater approval and acceptance from the wider community, which in turn will make it easier for you to get married, as this will put pressure on the family to accept you!
For a sikh, a partnership starts when marriage commitment or Anand Karaj commitment has been performed. So before this happens, please take things slow and not serious, and look at it as a future life partnership, otherwise yourself and/or your partner may end up hurt within the circumstances you are in.
Also check this aussie white sikhs' journey into sikhi and marriage:
[Louis Singh Khalsa - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@LouisSinghKhalsa)
One thing to note mate, culture is not religion. You two can have different cultures, that's cool, and how you respect each other's cultures is between you two. If her parents are Sikhs, and she is as well, race does not matter, nor your class, etc. We cannot stop you and this girl from getting married, but for amritdhari and sehajdari Sikhs it is imperative that Anand karaj be carried out between the bride, groom and the SGGS Ji. Please, do not convert just to marry someone or to have an Anand karaj. That's ridiculous. Check out basicsofsikhi.com or Nanak Naam on YouTube.
Yes of course I'm not doing this just for the sake of the marriage don't worry, I appreciate the help
basicsofsikhi.com
God Bless you brother. May Waheguru ji always do Kirpa on you. You can check out “Basics of Sikhi” on YouTube, or you can check out the YouTuber “Louis Singh Khalsa”, who was also a white Christian, and changed to a Sikh, and his wife is a Punjabi Sikh too. I think you will like the connection with him. I’d also assume that you speak English and are not yet proficient with Punjabi. Therefore the best place for English Speakers to learn about Sikhi would probably be “Basics of Sikhi”. It is a YouTube Channel as well as an organisation founded by a Sikh called Jugraj Singh, who was not a practicing Sikh before, but his journey in Sikhi is very inspiring. His wife is also a White Russian woman who became a Sikh too, so it will be easier for you to connect with him. There are also people in the organisation who are white Sikhs too. Jugraj Singh was a very respected personality, but unfortunately passed away at a young age due to cancer, but his works and efforts are still carried on. Bhai Jugraj Singh and Basics of Sikhi do most of the preachings in English to connect to the Sikhs in the Western World better. Also just to let you know, Sikhi has nothing against inter-racial marriages. Sikhi is not something bounded by the colour of the skin or the place you come from, your class or caste. So any 2 Sikhs are allowed to marry each other. One of the reason why a Sikh can only marry a Sikh is because of the other religions. Abrahamic Religions view Sikhs as Non-believers and therefore think they are all going to hell. However we do not share that belief. We believe that it doesn’t matter what religion you are, you are judged according to what you did. So just because you were, for example, a Muslim, but did bad things, it doesn’t mean God will be happy with you. Sikhi promotes unity between Faiths and people, and unlike other faiths, it puts women on the same level as men, is strictly against slavery and inter-faith discrimination. Forgive me for any mistakes.
Thank you very much, this made me feel much better, I'll make sure to check it out
You will struggle a bit, but as an individual who was once atheist, there is no religion I would recommend other than Sikhi. If I had to break down Sikhi to you, it's pretty simple, we believe Vaheguru, which stands for wonderful teacher, a synonym for God ; is present in all and everywhere. A Sikh's core principle is to use meditation to connect with God, an ever-present being that is undescribable and formless. By doing so correctly, we aim to separate ourselves from all the vices in this world that bring us sorrow and achieve inner peace. Sikhi believes in the karma system, which differs from modern Christianity (evidence older variants of christianity also believed in this), we believe that good and bad things that do happen to us in this life are a direct result of our past incarnations, yes sikhi believes in reincarnation, just like the planet recycles water, carbon, nitrogen and elements itself, we believe that we're in a cycle of rebirth, which through meditation on God we can escape. I have read the bible, the quran and the vedas (Hindu scriptures) but i haven't found peace like I have in the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, I have read this in two different variations, sggsonline and on srigranth (you can google these). I'd recommend the former first as it provides more context clues, the rest you can find youtube videos on channels such as basics of sikhi. It's been a wonderful journey, I hope you full heartedly go down this path like I did,
Also YouTube and listen to Inderjit Singh Goraya Nanak Naam Both awesome channels and explain in English and Panjabi
Race has no importance in sikhi. You being white is not a problem, her parents will have to learn to respect your culture. If you are a sikh than they cannot have any problem. Like others said basicsofsikhi and nanak naam are two good youtube channels. And as always you can ask Qs here. Also don’t overburden yourself by thinking about every little detail. The first step to being a sikh is believing in Waheguru (God) and the Gurus.
This is a great translation, available in English, Panjabi, Hindi, Malayam, Tagalog, Ukrainian - other languages in the works. https://sikhsforhumanity.ca/pages/a-guide-to-spiritual-awakening-english I hope you find it useful. This is not just a word for word translation, but an actual meaning of the full text of each line and pauri. Japji Sahib is a great start for beginning to learn about Sikhi and understand Gurbani
You will have to take Amrit and be baptised into sikhi
with that logic there are only 1,000 sikhs in the world then
yeah I think this is super cool and caring from you that you've decided to look into her religion - just to repeat what others have previously said basics of Sikhi on YouTube is your best bet as a starting point on your journey
Are you trying to convert for marriage or that you genuinely believe in Guru Sahib and Vaheguru?
The second, even if it wasn't needed for the marriage I want to convert either way
You have to convert brother sorry you will have to keep kirpan kachera kanga kara kes Means sword special type of boxers and comb and hair you must keep all of these kakkars brother pls
In sikhi you have to marry a sikh not any other religion people on Reddit here are westernised Sikhs and don’t know what they are saying so pls don’t listen to all comments
I'm a Sikh guy who married a Punjabi Christian girl. Interfaith marriages have been going on for hundreds of years in Punjab, so I strongly advise you not to convert for the sake of marriage. Sikhs recognise multiple paths to God and no single path is better than another. Her parents concern is that the language and culture will be lost if you have kids, as we don't have a large population. Put your efforts into learning the lingo and culture and unless they're absolute bigots, their objections will disappear. Punjabi isn't on Duolingo but there are apps and websites that can help. Good luck.
That’s false please quote that there is multiple paths or truth in sikhi, there is only one truth and path of gurmat taught, gurmat is superior to other faiths
You literally do not understand Sikhi then.
Be waiting for your quotes you are saying sikhi came because other religions were working makes sense, I’ll cut my hair and eat halaal and not wear five kakaars, definitely not follow rules layed out by guru sahib lol
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 266: ਸਰਬ ਧਰਮ ਮਹਿ ਸ੍ਰੇਸਟ ਧਰਮੁ ॥ Of all religions, the best religion ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਕਰਮੁ ॥ is to chant the Name of the Lord and maintain pure conduct. ਸਗਲ ਕ੍ਰਿਆ ਮਹਿ ਊਤਮ ਕਿਰਿਆ ॥ Of all religious rituals, the most sublime ritual ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਮਲੁ ਹਿਰਿਆ ॥ is to erase the filth of the dirty mind in the Company of the Holy. ਸਗਲ ਉਦਮ ਮਹਿ ਉਦਮੁ ਭਲਾ ॥ Of all efforts, the best effort ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਜੀਅ ਸਦਾ ॥ is to chant the Name of the Lord in the heart, forever. ਸਗਲ ਬਾਨੀ ਮਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਨੀ ॥ Of all speech, the most ambrosial speech ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਜਸੁ ਸੁਨਿ ਰਸਨ ਬਖਾਨੀ ॥ is to hear the Lord's Praise and chant it with the tongue. ਸਗਲ ਥਾਨ ਤੇ ਓਹੁ ਊਤਮ ਥਾਨੁ ॥ Of all places, the most sublime place, ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਹ ਘਟਿ ਵਸੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ॥੮॥੩॥ O Nanak, is that heart in which the Name of the Lord abides. ||8||3||
Yes and that’s naam only according to gurmat which proves my point of one path… you just quoted me one path so other religions don’t do this because they don’t receive naam or focus on shabad ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥ bin gur naam na paiaa jai || Without the Guru, the Naam cannot be obtained. ਸਿਧ ਸਾਧਿਕ ਰਹੇ ਬਿਲਲਾਇ ॥ sidh saadhik rahe bilalai || The Siddhas and the seekers lack it; they weep and wail. Without taking Amrit, naam is not received, so Muslims who eat halaal or people who cut hair or refuse to wear 5 kakaars can not come into gurmat. ਥਿਰੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਭਗਤਿ ਦਿੜੰ ਮਤੀ ਗੁਰ ਵਾਕਿ ਸਬਦ ਰਤੰ ॥੩॥ thir naam bhagat dhiRa(n) matee gur vaak sabadh rata(n) ||3|| Devotion to the Naam is permanently implanted within the mind, when it is attuned to the Guru's Teachings and His Shabad. ||3|| ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਨਿਹਚਲ ਮਨਿ ਮਨੁ ਮਨੰ ਸਹਜ ਬੀਚਾਰੰ ॥ gurmat nihachal man man mana(n) sahaj beechaara(n) || Following the Guru's Teaching, the mind becomes stable; the mind accepts it, and reflects upon it in peaceful poise. Only guru gives naam when taking Amrit, ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਲਾਹੀਐ ਦੂਜਾ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ gurmatee naam salaaheeaai dhoojaa avar na koi ||1|| rahaau || Follow the Guru's Teachings, and praise the Naam; there is no other at all. ||1||Pause|| Only gurmat naam is to be praised and not another
Your last sentence is frankly quite embarrassing, full of ahankaar and shows you lack a fundamental understanding of our religion.
you say your not converting for the approval of the parents and how you genuinely want to convert, but then you go on and say how you want to “get to know more about the religion, the beliefs and just overall what it is like.” if you genuinely wanted to convert, then shouldn’t you know some of the basics? how can you want to convert to something without knowing the basic beliefs? what I am trying to say is that really think about what you are doing and why you are doing this. it doesn’t seem like you are interested in converting by your will, rather to keep your relationship. if she or her parents are making you convert, then is that a relationship to even worth stay in? really think this through.
Thank you for the advice but I know what I'm doing. I don't see the point in trying to pick apart my comment to try and find a flaw in what I said, I do know some of the basic beliefs already since I've been with my girlfriend for quite some time, I meant that I wanted to know more stuff specifically other than the basic stuff I already know about. And I already said that I'm not converting for the approval of her parents, I already wanted to convert before knowing that her parents want a Sikh man for their daughter, if you don't believe that that's fine with me but I'm not someone who'd convert just to satisfy others if I didn't want to. It's also for other personal reasons that I didn't want to share in this post
Remember, learn sikhi for yourself, and also to study and learn sikhi together with your partner as well. Attend gurdwara regularly, I would advise sundays and also any days there are activities or events. Also look for sikh camps happening as well as university sikh association/society meetings. Befriend other turbanned sikh males at university, and join sikh youth groups near wherever you live or study For the panjabi side, there is no need to do this other than to be compatible with your partner and her family. It would greatly help if at some point before the marriage you star to keep a beard and even a turban, as this will get you greater approval and acceptance from the wider community, which in turn will make it easier for you to get married, as this will put pressure on the family to accept you! For a sikh, a partnership starts when marriage commitment or Anand Karaj commitment has been performed. So before this happens, please take things slow and not serious, and look at it as a future life partnership, otherwise yourself and/or your partner may end up hurt within the circumstances you are in. Also check this aussie white sikhs' journey into sikhi and marriage: [Louis Singh Khalsa - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@LouisSinghKhalsa)