Sikhism is the religion of the Sikh people. The word Sikh means "learner," or one who seeks after truth. One of the first words in the Sikh scripture is "Sat", which translates to truth. Sikhism is based on truthful living.
Sikhs believe in the concept of "Ik Onkar", meaning "God is one", "one with everything" or "oneness". There is one omnipresent entity, "waheguru" - wondrous enlightener, manifest in all of existence. All human beings are interconnected in "Ik Onkar" or oneness.
Sikhs must conquer "homai" (selfishness or ego). Homai results when a soul exists in the state of duality, relating to the self as a separate entity from the divine (no belief or forgetful of "Ik Onkar"). Homai can be broken down into the "5 evils" - Ahnkar (pride), Moh (worldy attachments), Krodh (anger or hatred), Kaam (excessive passion or desire), and Lobh (greed). To conquor "homai" and the "5 evil's" Sikhs must meditate, continually remind themselves of the one God (waheguru), and perform actions according to Sikh scriptures, which include the "5 virtues".
The "5 virtues" are Sat (truth), Santokh (contentment), Daya (compassion), Nimrata (Humility), and Pyare (Love). Truth is about living a truthful life and giving up Maya (the "grand illusion" of materialism). Living truthfully means one acts justly towards others, is honest, and avoids criticising others. Santokh (contentment) is about one having gratitude and accepting the circumstances of his life. Instead of constantly thinking of how to satisfy personal desires, one should focus on being content with the present moment. Santokh (contentment) leads to freedom from fear and worry. Pyare (love) is about seeing others with God's eyes. When one's mind is full of love, the person will overlook deficiency in others and accept them wholeheartedly as a product of God.
Many Sikhs wear uncut hair with turban. The turban with uncut hair reminds a Sikh about God, "IK Onkar", oneness, or "waheguru." The turban is also a reminder of the equality and interconnectedness of all human beings, regardless of race, religion or creed. When putting on the turban, a Sikh is reminded to fight ego and rise against anger, attachment, greed, excessive desire or lust, and pride. While wearing a turban, Sikhs must remember God and see people with God's eyes (overlook the deficiency in others and and see the person with love).
The Sikh teachings are enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism. The scriptures are written by the original founders of Sikhism.