Worship in the home
Sikhs are expected to always remember God’s name. Therefore, worship is part of their daily life and routine. They worship in the home by saying and hearing prayers and meditating on God’s name.
Most Sikhs do not have a copy of the Guru Granth SahibThe Guru Granth Sahib is the most important Sikh holy book. It is a collection of songs, prayers and hymns from the Sikh Gurus and other holy men, as well as teachings from other faiths. It is treated as a living Guru. in their home. However, many Sikhs own a copy of the Dasam GranthThe Dasam Granth is a collection of various manuscripts, including compositions by Guru Gobind Singh., which is a compilation of the poems of Guru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind Singh was the tenth and final Sikh Guru. He established the Khalsa and completed the Guru Granth Sahib, the most important Sikh holy book.. They may also own a copy of the Japji SahibA composition by Guru Nanak, found at the beginning of the Guru Granth Sahib, and recited by devout Sikhs every morning., which is a compilation of prayers from the Guru Granth Sahib. Many Sikhs also own a prayer book known as a GutkaA collection of daily prayers / hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib for Sikhs to use at home..
Guru Ram DasGuru Ram Das was the fourth of the ten Sikh Gurus, who lived from 1534 to 1581 and was given the title Guru on 30 August 1574. wrote out instructions for Sikhs on how to start every day by remembering God. It is a difficult task that focuses the mind on God for the rest of the day.
One who calls himself a Sikh of the True Guru shall get up early morning and meditate on the God’s Name.
Examples of how Sikhs may worship in the home include:
- They may repeat the Japji Sahib, the Jaap Sahib and the SwayyasVerses in a Bani (section of the holy text)..
- They may use prayer beads known as a mala, which have 108 knots tied into them. They repeat ‘Waheguru’ as they pass the beads through their fingers.
- They may say evening prayers before bed.
