The Creation of the Sikh Dharma Ministry

​

The concept of a Sikh ministry was first started by the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das ji, in the mid-1500s. He sent out men and women to spread the teachings of the Sikh faith. Centuries later, in the early 1970s, a group of young people from America traveled to India. Many of them adopted the Sikh faith and found a home in the Guru’s teachings.
 

To find your Colorado Sikh Dharma Ministers click here.

​

What do the Minister titles mean?

​

Sikh Dharma Ministers hold positions of leadership, service, and responsibility for upholding the Guru’s teachings, as reflected by their ordination titles. All ordained male Ministers are known as Singh Sahib or Mukhia Singh Sahib. All ordained female Ministers are referred to as Sardarni Sahiba or Mukhia Sardarni Sahiba.

 

Singh means "lion" and stands for royal courage. The use of the name "Singh" began when Guru Gobind Singh gave the Amrit Sanchar (Khalsa baptism) to show that someone would gain royal courage by giving one's head to the Guru. “Sardarni” relates to women as a title of respect, implying a noble Sikh woman of high birth. “Sahib” and “Sahiba” relate to the concept of mastery. “Mukhia” implies the leader of the group or the head of the section.

 

The Role of a Sikh Dharma Minister

​

The Sikh Dharma Ministry mission is: “To selflessly serve and uplift humanity and to perpetuate Sikh Dharma in the spirit of Cherdi Kala (elevated consciousness).”

 

In service to our mission, the Office of the Secretary of Religion supports a global community of Sikh Dharma Ministers. Our Office provides administrative services, educational and outreach programs, Minister Candidate processing, and Sikh Dharma Minister resources. For the past 45 years, the Office of the Secretary of Religion has supported the growth of Sikh Dharma in the West.

 

Sikh Dharma Ministers serve in a variety of ways. Ministers hold positions on the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation board, the Sikh Dharma International board and non-profit boards, and serve on the International and European Khalsa Councils (leadership bodies of Sikh Dharma International). They work tirelessly as healers, teachers, counselors, and business professionals—spreading Dharmic teachings, providing chaplaincy and interfaith services, and participating as leaders in service and Gurdwara activities.

​

To find your Colorado Sikh Dharma Ministers click here.

 

(For more information, please visit www.sdministry.org, the official website of the Office of the Secretary of Religion of Sikh Dharma International)