The Sikh Philosophy

[Guest guest]

!! Sri Rama Jayam !!

 

Dear Group,

 

The holy land of " Bharatham " is unique blend of diversity & spiritual harmony.

We have a varied bandwidth of values & thoughts defining our civilization &

journey of existence. I have a feeling about our group that we should utilize

this " Guruvayur Groups " platform as a Database to share all such good thoughts &

practices which will add value to our devotional process. In the upcoming weeks,

I will be sharing some very good information about " Sikhism " & the great

immortal Sikh Gurus, who have added their immeasurable contribution in

generating a rich spiritual awakening in India & across continents.

----

" Truth is higher than everything, But higher still is truthful living "

(Guru Nanak, the 1st Sikh prophet)

The Sikh religion exists as a faith of life-affirmation. A Sikh regards the

world not as a place of suffering, but as a meaningful creation of God wherein

noble, truthful, and selfless actions can bring a person closer to realizing

Him. Sikhism preaches universal equality, and therefore, regards all religions

and people as equal before the eyes of God. A Sikh is enjoined to rise above

ego, live a truthful family life, share earnings with the less fortunate, and,

as a human being, work toward progress on the individual and social level.

THE BASIC BELIEFS OF SIKHS:

The Moola Mantra (literally, the root verse; the first hymn composed by Guru

Nanak) sums up the basic belief of the Sikhs. " Sri Guru Granth Sahib " begins

with the Moola Mantra. Every Sikh is expected to recite it daily. The English

translation is given below:

1. Ik Onkaar - There is only one God

2. Sat Naam - His Name is Truth

3. Karta Purkh - He is the Creator

4. Nir Bhau - He is without fear

5. Nir Vair - He is without hate

6. Akaal Moorat - He is beyond time (Immortal)

7. Ajooni - He is beyond birth and death

8. Saibhang - He is self-existent

" Guru Parsaad " - He is realised by the Guru's grace.

The Sikh religion is strictly monotheistic, believing in One Supreme God.

Absolute yet All-pervading, the Eternal, the Creator, the Cause of Causes,

without enmity, without hate, both Immanent in His creation and beyond it. It is

no longer the God of one nation, but the GOD OF GRACE. That being so, He creates

man not to punish him for his sins, but for the realization of his true purpose

in the cosmos and to merge in from where he issued forth.

'O my mind, thou art the embodiment of Light; know* thy Essence'

'O my mind, the Lord is ever with thee; through the Guru's Word enjoy His Love.'

'Knowing thy essence thou knowest thy Lord; and knowest thou the mystery of

birth and death'.- (Guru Granth, P. 441)

The basic postulate of Sikhism is that life is not sinful in its origin, but

having emanated from a Pure Source, the True One abides in it. Thus sayeth

Nanak:

'O my mind, thou art the spark of the Supreme Light; know thy essence.'

Not only the whole of Sikh Philosophy, but the whole of Sikh history and

character, flows from this very principle.

The Sikhs do not recognize the caste system nor do they believe in Idol-worship,

rituals, or superstitions. The gods and goddesses are considered as nonentities.

This religion consists of practical living, in rendering service to humanity and

engendering tolerance and brotherly love towards all. The Sikh Gurus did not

advocate retirement from the world in order to attain salvation. It can be

achieved by anyone who earns an honest living and leads a normal life.

'He alone, 0 Nanak, knoweth the Way, who earneth with the sweat of his brow, and

then shareth it with the others'- (Guru Granth, P. 1245)

Nanak gave new hope to the down-trodden mankind to join his fraternity as

equals. He is a creator of the NEW MAN in the New World supported by a New

morality.

Riches and personal possessions are not hinderence in living by spiritual

ideals. Sikhism does not believe in the maxim, " It is easier for a camel to go

through the eyes of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of

God " . On the other hand the Sikh dictum is as under:

'They, who are attuned to the Lord, by the Guru's Grace, Attain to the Lord in

the midst of Maya, (i.e. Wealth or mode of ignorance)- (Guru Granth. P. 921)

Sikhism does not accept the ideology of pessimism. It advocates optimism and

hope. The maxim, " Resist not evil but whosoever shall smite thee on the right

cheek, turn to him the other also " , does not find any place in Sikh way of life.

On the other hand it enjoins its followers:

" When an affair is past every other remedy It is righteous, indeed, to unsheathe

the sword. " - (Guru Gobind Singh)

The message of Sikhism is contained within the sacred writings of the Gurus,

forever enshrined in the Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib (the writings of Guru

Gobind Singh form another compilation). The Guru Granth Sahib consists of the

writings of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and ninth Gurus, as well as

the writings of several prominent saints who were either contemporaries of, or

lived before, the Sikh Gurus. The writings of these non-Sikh mystics correspond

to the teachings of the Sikh Gurus; and more importantly, the inclusion of their

writings into the Sikh holy scripture indicates the universality of Sikh

philosophy. Written in musical measures of Indian classical music called RAGAS,

the Guru Granth Sahib literally serves as the ultimate guide of spirituality

(the living embodiment of the spirit of the Gurus) and is revered, not

worshipped, as such by the Sikhs.

CONCEPT OF GOD:

According to Sikh religious thought, God is both transcendent and immanent. God

is beyond the empirical universe (what can be sensed or measured), but resides

in it as well. Since God exists within and beyond existence itself, human beings

can aspire toward living and acting in accordance with His will.

.....To be continued....

 

Hare Krishna

Hare Rama