By Slinder K. Gill Senior Radiographer St James’s Hospital

This is a distinct religion by the teachings of the ten Gurus. The 1 st of whom was Guru Nanak Dev Ji (born 1469) and the 10 th and last human Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji (in 1708) who gave all authority to the Guru Granth Sahib ji (the holy scriptures). Sikhs believe there is one god present in all things and everyone. The object of a Sikhs life is to develop consciousness of God and to receive Gods grace through truthful living and selfless service guided by the following principles:  Remembering & praying to God.  Earning an honest living.  Sharing with the poor.  Treating all human beings as equal.

Baptised Sikhs wear 5 articles of faith:  Uncut hair (Kesh) a gift from God.  A small wooden comb (Kangha) symbolises cleanliness.  Iron/steel bangle (Kara) represents self restraint.  A short sword (Kirpan) emblem of courage and commitment to truth and justice.  Shorts (Kashera) represent purity of moral character. These articles have deep spiritual and moral significances, forming part of the Sikh code of Ethics and Discipline and these articles of faith must not be removed of the body of a Sikh. It is important however to avoid stereotyping and to be aware that each individual may follow the religion to a greater or lesser extent.

 To learn as much as possible  To seek wisdom & knowledge and avoid suffering caused by ignorance & find happiness.  To face our fears.  To know one self.  To leave the world a better place than you found it.  To benefit others.  Give more than to take.  To forgive & accept human flaws.  To seek peace.

 During the time of sickness Sikh’s pray to seek God’s help to obtain peace and ask for forgiveness.  The sacred word provides them with physical and spiritual strength and nourishments.  Sikhs consider illness to be the will of God but one has to make every effort to get well.  Suffering is not inflicted directly by God but is permitted by God as a test of courage and faith.  Suffering is appreciated for the good that it often brings out in people and prompts man to turn his thought to God.

 Sikhs believe we are given pain and suffering because of the bad deeds we have done in our previous lives and paying for it now.  Sikhs, like Hindus believe in reincarnation, closely linked to this is the concept of Karma.  Karma is defined as deeds in the present and previous life which determines how a soul is reborn during reincarnation.

Some Sikhs may refuse analgesic pain relief as they would prefer to suffer any pain & use it as a learning experience.

“Is a great gift to life” The Sikh philosophy & teachings place great emphasis on the importance of giving and putting others before one self. “ Where self exists, there is no God. Where God exists there is no self.” -Guru Nanak- The Sikh faith stresses the importance of performing noble deeds. Sikhs believe in life after death is a continuous cycle of rebirth but the physical body is not needed in this cycle – a person’s soul is their real essence. The body is simply flesh & perishable. The last act of giving and helping others through organ donation is both consistent with and in the spirit of Sikh teachings. “The true servants of God are those who serve him through helping others.” -Guru Nanak-

 Most Sikhs would have no objection to blood transfusions.

 Respecting sacred life is part of the Sikh religion so every effect must be made to save their life. However this must be carefully balanced with the idea that the dying Sikh will go to rejoin God at their death. Thus maintaining a patient on life support in a vegetative state for example is not acceptable.  Healthcare staff must make efforts to save the life of a Sikh, but know when to let go. Resuscitation must be carried out if necessary, but not to extremes, if a heartbeat/breathing cannot be restored then Sikhs believe that the soul has departed and the flesh is empty.

 In the final stages of illness a Sikh patient is comforted by reciting hymns from the Holy Scripture. If the condition of the body permits the eyes and mouth should be closed and limbs straightened with arms placed beside the body.  Staff must ensure that none of the five articles of faith on the body of a Sikh are disturbed and not to trim the hair on the beard and the hair on the head should be covered at all times.

Any Questions?

 Guru Granth Sahib Ji  Sikh.net  Chanet at 2003  Beliefofnet.com  CMAJ  Sidhu, 1973