The five stages of liberation (the Five Khands)
Sikhs believe that they have to go through several stages (khands) to reach mukti, when the soul is free to find and become one with God. These stages are like the stages of a long journey, so they usually do not happen in one lifetime, but over several lifetimes. As Sikhs progress through these stages, they become closer to understanding truth and therefore closer to WaheguruSikhs believe in one God called Waheguru which means 鈥榃onderful Lord鈥 or 鈥榃onderful Teacher鈥..
Sikhs do not believe in isolating themselves in order to focus on Waheguru. They believe that the community, or sangatCongregation in a Sikh gurdwara., plays a very important part in the development of humans. They believe that God created humans to be with other people and so it is part of daily life that Waheguru is revealed.
The Five Khands (stages) of liberation
| Piety | This is the first stage. All Sikhs are born into this stage, and during this stage they meet with God through commitment and dedication. Sikhs begin to devote their lives to Waheguru during this stage. |
| Knowledge | During the second stage of knowledge, Sikhs gain knowledge of Waheguru through dedicating their lives to God. During this stage, the person comes to better understand Waheguru and the importance of the world. They realise how vast the universe is and how little they know about Waheguru. They realise that there is much more to know about life. They become spiritually aware of Waheguru. |
| Effort | The third stage brings the previous two stages together. During this stage, Sikhs devote their lives to Waheguru with an understanding of why. They develop their intelligence as far as possible and understand how they can become closer to Waheguru. During this stage, Sikhs realise the importance of the three foundations of Sikhism (Kirat Karna, Wand Chakna and Nam Japna). They also become disciplined in their daily acts of worship. |
| Grace | The fourth stage is only reached when Waheguru takes a part in the development of the individual. Grace is a blessing from God that is given and not earned. Through God鈥檚 love and grace, Sikhs can spiritually grow. Sikhs only reach this stage once they have overcome the vices and made the virtues habits. |
| Truth | This final stage is when Sikhs find and understand the truth about Waheguru. This stage cannot be described, only experienced. |
| Piety |
| This is the first stage. All Sikhs are born into this stage, and during this stage they meet with God through commitment and dedication. Sikhs begin to devote their lives to Waheguru during this stage. |
| Knowledge |
| During the second stage of knowledge, Sikhs gain knowledge of Waheguru through dedicating their lives to God. During this stage, the person comes to better understand Waheguru and the importance of the world. They realise how vast the universe is and how little they know about Waheguru. They realise that there is much more to know about life. They become spiritually aware of Waheguru. |
| Effort |
| The third stage brings the previous two stages together. During this stage, Sikhs devote their lives to Waheguru with an understanding of why. They develop their intelligence as far as possible and understand how they can become closer to Waheguru. During this stage, Sikhs realise the importance of the three foundations of Sikhism (Kirat Karna, Wand Chakna and Nam Japna). They also become disciplined in their daily acts of worship. |
| Grace |
| The fourth stage is only reached when Waheguru takes a part in the development of the individual. Grace is a blessing from God that is given and not earned. Through God鈥檚 love and grace, Sikhs can spiritually grow. Sikhs only reach this stage once they have overcome the vices and made the virtues habits. |
| Truth |
| This final stage is when Sikhs find and understand the truth about Waheguru. This stage cannot be described, only experienced. |