Sikhism is one of the religions of India. Its believers call themselves Sikhs, which means disciples. Sikhs follow the teachings of 10 gurus (spiritual teachers). The Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib (Revered Book), or Adi Granth (First Book), includes the teachings of the first five gurus and the ninth guru and other non-Sikh holymen. About 16 million Sikhs live in India, the majority of them in the northern state of Punjab. Communities of Sikhs also live in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, and East Africa.

The first Sikh guru, Nanak, was born into a Hindu family in 1469 and came into contact with Muslims in his early life. When he was 30 years old, Nanak had a vision of God, who gave him nectar to drink, told him he was blessed, and instructed him to teach others to rejoice in God's name. Nanak preached that there is one God who is the invisible creator and present everywhere. God does not have physical attributes, is beyond human comprehension, and has never been incarnated on earth.

Nanak criticized Hindu and Muslim religious practices that he said emphasized outer forms of prayer and ritual over inner spiritual awakening. He also challenged the Hindu caste system. Nanak did not, however, entirely dismiss other religions, and writings by Hindus and Muslims are included in the Guru Granth Sahib.

Nanak taught that while rituals are unnecessary, right conduct is essential. He instructed his followers to be aware of God's presence by rising early, bathing, meditating on the divine name, and directing each day's activities to God. By doing this, and by living a good and simple life, people could free themselves from the cycle of reincarnation.

According to the Sikh belief in karma, a person's actions determine whether the soul will enter the next life as a plant, animal, or human being. Only someone who reaches a higher state of spiritual development by conquering the idea of separateness from God, ceasing to be worldly-minded, and becoming aware of the inner presence of God, can be free from experiencing further earthly lives.

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