Although not all students at Miri Piri Academy define themselves as ‘Sikh,’ the school program is modeled after the lifestyle taught by the Sikh Gurus. “Sikh” is translated simply as student or disciple. However, it is used most commonly to describe followers of the Sikh religion, which was founded in India by Guru Nanak in the 15th century. There were ten living Guru’s before the Guruship was bestowed upon the Siri Guru Granth Sahib in 1708.

Sikhs follow a conscious lifestyle that includes the four pillars of Dharma: Bana, Bani, Simran and Seva, as well as a healthy vegetarian diet, avoidance of drugs and alcohol, and abstinence outside of marriage.

Bana

The tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, gave Sikhs a distinctive appearance known as Bana. During the time of his Guruship, the Mughal rulers of India were persecuting all those who didn’t follow their religion. Some Sikhs simply hid their identity, denying their relationship with the Guru.

When the Guru heard about this, he gave his Sikhs “Bana,” a distinctive dress and appearance that includes long, graceful dress, uncut hair and a turban. He taught that Sikhs should be willing to give up their lives before they compromise their true identity, and that no person should be allowed to try to force another to believe as they do.

When a Sikh wears Bana, they represent the Guru and they cannot hide their identity from anyone. At Miri Piri Academy, the students school uniform is modeled after the Bana of Guru Gobind Singh.

Bani

Bani is simply the word of the Guru. The hymns composed by the Gurus and several Hindu and Muslim saints were collected in a single volume called the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh installed the Siri Guru Granth Sahib as his successor, saying that henceforth Sikhs of the Guru should bow to no human being, worshipping only the sound current of the Guru’s word.

The power of the word is such that when someone recites another’s words, they can attain the same consciousness as the person who originally recited them. Thus, when the Bani of the Guru is recited, one can tune in to the consciousness of the Guru.

At Miri Piri Academy, the students recite Bani in the morning and in the evening, and the words of the Guru are studied during the academic day in a variety of classes and settings.

Simran

Simran is the practice of meditation. Recent studies have demonstrated that water can take on the vibration of the words or thoughts that are projected at it. Just so, the body, which is 70% water, takes on the vibration of the words and environments surrounding it. By meditating upon God as we go about our day, the infinite vibrates continuously in the very cells of the body.

At Miri Piri Academy, the day begins and ends with Nam Simran. Kundalini Yoga classes that include meditation and Nam Simran are a daily occurrence, and Gurbani Kirtan is taught as part of the academic program.

Seva

Seva means selfless service. The Sikh concept of God is that of a God present and pervading through all of creation. Thus, Sikhs strive to maintain a consciousness of God’s presence in each being and in each situation they face. Seva is a natural outcome of such a consciousness. When we can see God in all, we are inspired to serve all.

The mark of a Sikh is that of humility and service to all. To instill this consciousness in our students, the school participates in cleaning the Parkarma at the Golden Temple, visiting and serving the children at local orphanages, using the senior class trip to help at Sikh Youth Camps in Malaysia and Singapore, and teaching Kundalini Yoga and meditation in local schools and Yoga centers.