State of the Panth

The State of the Panth series is a report on Sikh matters presented by the Sikh Research Institute to the global Sikh community. The series reports on matters affecting either a large section of the Sikh Nation or a perspective on critical issues facing the human race at large.

Share Your Thoughts Today

We invite you to share your thoughts on the topic of ‘5Ks & Dastar,’ by participating in our survey.

The survey will take ~5 minutes to complete, and all responses will be kept confidential and anonymous.

Surveying the Global Sangat

Our State of the Panth reports survey self-identified Sikhs on their stances in regards to critical issues and questions. The reports outline a Sikh perspective based on Gurmat (the Guru’s Way) traditions of Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle).

Recommendations for the Future

Each report further outlines recommendation for individual Sikhs and Sikh institutions — an opportunity for reflection and inspiring change. Recommendations are provided as a best practices approach to strengthening the bonds within the community.

View the Reports

Each article below contains a summary of the report, along with supporting video and audio content. We also provide links to download full versions of each report, as well as raw survey data.

Tuesday
,
25
April
2023

Women & Gender in Sikhi

Women’s issues and the issues of gender as it applies to all gender identities are being grappled with globally. These issues have existed throughout history, and as time goes on, they change shape.

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Friday
,
14
January
2022

Dan: Sikhi, Nonprofits & Giving

As the world becomes more interconnected, we understand how some have an abundance of monetary wealth, and others do not, and the more we understand the various needs unaddressed in our backyards and abroad.

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Wednesday
,
21
July
2021

Miri-Piri: The Spiritual-Political Sikh Doctrine

Miri comes from Perso-Arabic “Amir” or “Emir” and signals political power. Piri comes from the Perso-Arabic “Pir” and signals spiritual power. Miri-Piri encapsulates the Political-Spiritual doctrine in Sikhi, rooted in both the worldly and the timeless...

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Wednesday
,
9
September
2020

Sikhi & Sexuality

Sexuality is a confusing and often avoided topic. It is generally relegated to being a "private" matter, and therefore not openly discussed or engaged with, even within close circles and small communities.

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Thursday
,
7
November
2019

Sikhi & Abortion

Abortion as defined by the the Oxford dictionary is a “deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.” Abortions have long been performed and long been the subject of considerable debate.

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Friday
,
1
March
2019

Akal Takht Sahib: Timeless Sovereign Throne

Akal Takht Sahib (Timeless Throne Sovereign) commands the worldly moral authority of the Sikhs, functioning as the institutional manifestation of the Miri-Piri (Political-Spiritual) doctrine as envisioned by the Gurus.

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Thursday
,
20
September
2018

Gurduara: A Sikh Place of Learning

The Gurduara is considered to be the heart of the Sikh community. Throughout all components of the Gurduara, the teachings of the Gurus must be visible in both abstract heights and concrete realities.

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Monday
,
5
February
2018

Anand Karaj: The Sikh Marriage

The Anand Karaj (Sikh marriage ceremony) is one of the life stages outlined with specific sentiments and ceremonies for Sikhs. Its procedures have received increased attention in recent years as a major community issue.

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Tuesday
,
24
October
2017

Who is a Sikh?

As the global Sikh population expands in size and complexion, the definition of a Sikh becomes increasingly important to support and shape the community. This study sets out to establish an understanding of how to conceptualize who is a Sikh.

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Download the Full Reports & Data

Links and file downloads to the curriculum, reports raw data and collections of resources assembled for your needs.

Women & Gender in Sikhi - Report

This report aims to understand and explore Sikh conceptions of women and gender, responses to gender- based inequality and oppression, and framings of masculinity. The report explores the topics of women and gender from a Gurmat (or Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle).

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Women & Gender in Sikhi - Raw Data

A global survey included in the report was responded to by more than 689 self-identified Sikhs from 21 different countries. Its purpose was to gain insights into how Sikhs worldwide understand gender equality, masculinity, and feminism within Sikh frameworks and in their own relationships with their gender identity.

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Dan: Sikhi, Nonprofits & Giving - Report Checklist

This is a download of the checklist that was designed for the State of the Panth report "Dan: Sikhi, Nonprofits & Giving."

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Dan: Sikhi, Nonprofits & Giving - Report

This report aims to understand and explore what it means to give in a Sikh context, how giving is conceptualized and understood through Sikh history, and how it is understood and practiced today.

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Dan: Sikhi, Nonprofits & Giving - Raw Data

A global survey, included in the report, was responded to by more than 700 self-identified Sikhs from 23 different countries. Its purpose was to gain insight into Sikh understandings of giving, especially regarding its application in the current realities and needs of the Panth (Sikh collective).

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Miri-Piri: The Spiritual-Political Sikh Doctrine - Report

This report aims to understand and explore how the Miri-Piri doctrine influences the political and spiritual behavior of Sikhs worldwide. The report analyzes ideas conveyed in Miri-Piri from a Gurmat (or Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle).

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Miri-Piri: The Spiritual-Political Sikh Doctrine - Raw Data

A global survey, included in the report, was presented to more than 500 self-identified Sikhs from 19 countries. The purpose of this survey was to gain insight into Sikh understandings and applications of Miri-Piri doctrine today.

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Sikhi & Sexuality – Raw Data

A global survey, included in the report, was presented to 1,212 self- identified Sikhs from 31 countries. The purpose of this survey was to gain insight into Sikh thoughts and feelings surrounding sexuality today.

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Sikhi & Sexuality – Report

The focus of this report is to understand sexuality in the context of a Sikh worldview, from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle).

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Sikhi & Abortion – Raw Data

A global survey, included in the report, was presented to 1,277 self-identified Sikhs from 28 different countries, asking them to consider the issue of abortion and common questions related to the topic. The purpose of this survey was to understand what informs individual opinions, thoughts, and feelings related to abortion.

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Sikhi & Abortion – Report

The focus of this report is to gain insight into Sikh thoughts and feelings surrounding the issue of abortion today, and understand abortion in the context of a Sikh worldview, from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle).

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Akal Takht Sahib: Timeless Sovereign Throne – Raw Data

Sikh Research Institute has conducted a survey of 1,237 self-identified Sikhs from 27 different countries. The purpose of the survey was to gain insight into how Sikhs perceive the role of the Akal Takht Sahib in their own lives and in the lives of other Sikhs around the world.

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Akal Takht Sahib: Timeless Sovereign Throne – Report

The focus of this report is to understand the role and function of Akal Takht Sahib from the Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). In understanding the Gurmat explanation of the function and role of Akal Takht Sahib, individuals and institutions can come together to push for a more transparent, independent, representative, and active institution.

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Gurduara: A Sikh Place of Learning – Raw Data

A survey of 1,172 self-identified Sikhs from 22 different countries was conducted by the Sikh Research Institute. It captures the views and aspirations of Sikhs about the role of Gurduaras within their local communities. 

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Gurduara: A Sikh Place of Learning – Report

The focus of this report is to understand the role of the local Gurduara within Sikh communities from the Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). In understanding the Gurmat explanation of the function of the Gurduara, local governance teams and Sikh sangat (community) can come together to create a Gurduara that is a cohesive community-focused place of learning.

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Anand Karaj: The Sikh Marriage – Report

Anand Karaj: The Sikh Marriage, the second report in the State of the Panth series. In exploring the division that exists in our community, we surveyed 1,000 self-identifying Sikhs across the globe. And the results might surprise you.

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Anand Karaj: The Sikh Marriage – Raw Data

A survey of 948 self-identified Sikhs from 20 different countries was conducted to summarize the 2017 Sikh population’s understanding of the rights to participate in the Anand Karaj ceremony. The survey showed distinct divides in terms of who may be able to participatespecifically in the Sikh context of marriage. The survey also highlights the discrepancies apparent within the community as well as identifies where institutional educational efforts can be focused.

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Who is a Sikh? – Raw Data

A survey of 938 individuals was conducted to summarize the 2017 Sikh population’s understanding of who a Sikh is. The survey results show significant differences between responses in comparison of age group and gender identity. The survey results mirror the concept of different groups within the Sikh community having varying understandings of how a Sikh should be defined.

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Who is a Sikh? – Report

As the global Sikh population expands in size and complexion, the definition of a Sikh becomes increasingly important to support and shape the community. This study sets out to establish an understanding of how to conceptualize who is a Sikh.

DownloadAccess

Contact us with any questions or comments about the State of the Panth Report series.

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