[size=5]Typically Sikh concepts[/size] [b]Chardhi Kala[/b] (also [i]Chardi kala[/i]) Optimism; the ideal of keeping high spirits, being positive even in times of difficulty, stress, pain and suffering. A Sikh is to be like the lotus flower: even in filthy water, it remains unsullied (by bad things), pure and beautiful. [b]Data[/b] Compassion; trying to help others, [i]metta[/i], overlooking people's imperfections and mistakes. [b]Five Thieves[/b] Also known as the five evils. Five negative personal issues that are considered to rob a person of their better, spiritual nature. A Sikh is expected to subdue these thieves, to ascend them. They are lust (kaam), anger (krodh), greed (lobh), attachment (to material things, etc; moh), ahankar (egotism, pride). [b]Five Virtues[/b] These are to fight the five thieves, become a better person, and to reach enlightenment. These are truth (sat), compassion (daya), contentment (santokh), humility (nimrata), and love (pyaar). [b]Kirat karo[/b] One of the Three Pillars of Sikhism. Means earning a living through productive work for the benefit of both the individual and larger society. [b]Kirtan[/b] (also [i]Kirtana[/i], [i]Sankirtan[/i]) A form of religious chanting for purposes of [i]Bhakti[/i] practice. Typical but by no means exclusive of the Sikh Faith where is takes the form devotional singing of [i]Shabads[/i], most often from the [i]Sri Guru Granth Sahib[/i] and forms the bulk of Sikh religious services. [b]Langar[/b] The religious practice of eating in community, in equality of conditions (and often of food) for all, including non-Sikhs. Sufism (an esoteric form of Islamic practice) uses the same word with a slightly different meaning. [b]Manglacharan / Mool Mantar[/b] The first 13 words written in the [i]Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji[/i] (the Manglacharan - from "Ik Onkar" to "Prasad") or the first 13 + the next 12 (the Mool Mantar - from "Ik Onkar" to "hosi bhi sach"). Considered to be a key foundational statement in Sikhi. [b]Naam Japo[/b] One of the Three Pillars of Sikhism. A form of meditation and chanting aimed to reinforce the connection with God. The word or phrases commonly repeated are "Waheguru", "Satnam Sri Waheguru Ji", or the [i]Manglacharan[/i] / [i]Mool Mantar[/i]. [b]Nimrata[/b] Humility; not boasting, not making a big scene, not over-estimating yourself or acting cool. [b]Pyaar[/b] Love; love of God, and love of humankind. Love is one of the biggest parts of Sikhism. [b]Santokh[/b] Contentment; not being jealous, being content and not being jealous or envious of others or their possessions. [b]Seva[/b] (also [i]Sewa[/i]) Selfless service; undertaken by a person that is "doing good for the sake of goodness". Within Sikhism, it's divided into material, mental, and physical service. [b]Vand Chhako[/b] One of the Three Pillars of Sikhism. A practice of sharing of wealth with aspects of reinforcement of community ties. [b]My great thanks to:[/b] [list] [*][url=http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/members/breathe-16244.html]Breathe[/url] for the help with the Sikh concepts. [*][url=http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/members/treks-42258.html]Treks[/url] for the help with the Sikh concepts. [/list]