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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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. Of the many social issues of our time, the issue of abortion is one that is consistently divisive and consistently nuanced. It is also an issue that is seldom talked about, due to its sensitive nature and the taboo that often comes with having undergone the procedure.
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. However, over time Akal Takht Sahib has become occupied by third-party influences, not just in its institutional manifestation but also in the psyche of the Sikhs. A lack of faith in the institution leads to a feeling of disconnect within the Panth (Sikh collective), where Akal Takht Sahib exists more as a symbolic structure instead of functioning as a governance one.
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.
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.
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.
Links and file downloads to the curriculum, reports raw data and collections of resources assembled for your needs.
Women & Gender in Sikhi - Report
This is the full, downloadable PDF of the the State of the Panth report "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.
Those who identify as women are using their voices to bring awareness to issues that matter to them, but every community has a long way to go.
Women & Gender in Sikhi - Raw Data
This is a download of the raw source data that was generated for the State of the Panth report "Women & Gender in Sikhi."
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.
Dan: Sikhi, Nonprofits & Giving - Report
This is the full, downloadable PDF of the the State of the Panth report "Dan: Sikhi, Nonprofits & Giving."
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.
Dan: Sikhi, Nonprofits & Giving - Raw Data
This is a download of the raw source data that was generated for the State of the Panth report "Dan: Sikhi, Nonprofits & Giving."
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).
Miri-Piri: The Spiritual-Political Sikh Doctrine - Report
This is the full, downloadable PDF of the the State of the Panth report "Miri-Piri."
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).
Miri-Piri: The Spiritual-Political Sikh Doctrine - Raw Data
This is a download of the raw source data that was generated for the State of the Panth report "Miri-Piri: The Spiritual-Political Sikh Doctrine."
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.
Sikhi & Sexuality – Raw Data
This is a download of the raw source data that was generated for the State of the Panth report "Sikhi & Sexuality."
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.
Sikhi & Sexuality – Report
This is the full, downloadable PDF of the the State of the Panth report "Sikhi & Sexuality."
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).
Sikhi & Abortion – Raw Data
This is a download of the raw source data that was generated for the State of the Panth report "Sikhi & Abortion."
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.
Sikhi & Abortion – Report
This is the full, downloadable PDF of the the State of the Panth report "Sikhi & Abortion."
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). In situating the topic of abortion within a Gurmat framework, individuals can be reassured that making the choice to undergo the procedure does not condemn them to punishment and judgment. Institutions can work to come together for a more nuanced understanding, an empathetic response, and the ultimate goal of working towards a judgment-free Panth.
Akal Takht Sahib: Timeless Sovereign Throne – Raw Data
This is a download of the raw source data that was generated for the State of the Panth report "Akal Takht Sahib: Timeless Sovereign Throne."
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. Responses outlined a clear engagement with the institution of Akal Takht Sahib, showing clear ideals of what the role and function of Akal Takht Sahib should be. The responses communicated a loss of faith in the governance of Akal Takht Sahib and a call for efforts towards a transparent, independent, representative, and active institution.
Akal Takht Sahib: Timeless Sovereign Throne – Report
This is the full, downloadable PDF of the the State of the Panth report "Akal Takht Sahib: Timeless Sovereign Throne."
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.
Gurduara: A Sikh Place of Learning – Raw Data
This is a download of the raw source data that was generated for the State of the Panth report "Gurduara: A Sikh Place of Learning."
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. The results included emphasis on investment in education based on Sikh principles, funding for community outreach projects, and empowerment of the Sikh youth. The Miri-Piri doctrine was not evident in the responses to how the Gurduara is defined, highlighting the changing role of the Gurduara in the lives of the Sikh community in the 21st century.
Gurduara: A Sikh Place of Learning – Report
This is the full, downloadable PDF of the the State of the Panth report "Gurduara: A Sikh Place of Learning.
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.
Anand Karaj: The Sikh Marriage – Report
This is the full, downloadable PDF of the the State of the Panth report "Anand Karaj: The Sikh Marriage".
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.
Anand Karaj: The Sikh Marriage – Raw Data
This is a download of the raw source data that was generated for the State of the Panth report "Anand Karaj: The Sikh Marriage".
The survey highlights the discrepancies apparent within the Sikh population as of 2017. It suggests that organizations cannot remain passive to such community issues.
Who is a Sikh? – Raw Data
This is a download of the raw source data that was generated for the State of the Panth report "Who is a Sikh?"
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.
Who is a Sikh? – Report
This is the full, downloadable PDF of the the State of the Panth report "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.