Sikhism:
A progressive religion well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years ago. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind and denounces superstitions and blind ritualsIt is a Universal Religion, a Religion for whole Mankind.
- It prays to Almighty, the only ONE God. He is all pervasive, in creations and creatures, in all the mass and matter, in space, in water, in land and on land and in the air. He is, in essence, in each particle and atom. He is thus immaculate, Immanent, Transcendental. In Sikhism - God is remembered as WAHEGURU, meaning Wonderful God. Allah-hu-Akbar, Hyeraan-kun-Khuda, Vismaad-Hari, Aascheriya-Brahma, Wonderful God are all the synonymous terms in different languages and religions.
- All humans can pray together sitting at one place.
- All can take bath in one pond, reservoir or a common bathing place.
- All can eat together sitting at one place.
This is to preach all, Oneness of God, Universal brotherhood, no egoistic approach and distinction in between high and low, big and small, rich and poor, black and white, man and woman, religion, country, place or any other such criteria whatsoever.
About women Guru Nanak wrote:
"From woman is our birth, in the woman's womb are we conceived. To the woman we are engaged, To the woman we are wedded. The woman is our friend, from the woman is the family, yea, through the woman are our bonds with the world, Why call woman evil who gives birth to the kings and all? From the woman is the woman, without the woman there is none, save the one God alone" - Guru Nanak (Guru Granth Sahib - Page 473)
Guru Nanak had two companions - one Muslim by name Mardaana, the other Hindu by name Bala. He addressed them as Bhaees means brothers - Bhai Mardaana and Bhai Balaa.
He said " God is our Father and we are his Children."
Perception of GOD:
God is One, All Prevailing, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient.
- He is Truth, His name is True.
- He is the Creator.
- He is immaculate, acts on His Own, depends upon no body and takes advice of no body.
- He is fearless, knows no fear.
- He has no enmity, hates no body.
- He is Imminent, not time bound, His is Transcendental not destructible.
- He does not take birth, does not come in the world in any One Form.
- Whole Universe is His manifestation.
- He is His Own Self, Own Created, Self Evolved.
- He can be realized only through a blessed soul, a True Guru.
Why a True Guru is required?
- A human since his birth till his death needs company. Mother, father, brothers, sisters, relatives, sons, daughters, grand children are the best example of this. All these relatives, when their own interests vary from each other, prove to be selfish at one stage or the other. In the words of 9th Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur "In this world, I have not found any true friend. The whole world is attached to its own pleasures, and when trouble comes, no one is with you." (Sri Guru Granth Sahib - page 633)
- The cause of all sufferings is the man's ego, lust, and greed. When greed is not fulfilled desire rises, when desire is not fulfilled anger develops. Ego is the main cause of all sufferings. Man can be happy, if he gives up his ego. But then how and whom to give up him self - his own ego. He must be a really true friend, a well wisher, believable, protector, powerful and great. So is the need of the True Guru.
Who can be a True Guru?
A person, in whom resides the "Word of God" - the eternal knowledge of God; who is one with God; who knows what is the Will of God; who is not affected of sorrow, happiness, praise, insult, fear, threat; who loves all equally irrespective of friends, foes, relatives, young, old, rich, poor etc, is a true Guru. It is not his body in flesh and bones that is Guru, instead, it is the knowledge of God. "Word of God" which resides in him is the Guru. For Sikhs "Word of God" resided in the ten human Gurus. After the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, in his own words, the 'Word of God' resides in Gurbani.
Status of a true sikh
(In the words of Saint Ravidaas in Sri Guru Granth Sahib -Page 345)
Baygumpura, 'the city without sorrow', is the name of the town.
There is no suffering or anxiety there.
There are no troubles or taxes on commodities there.
There is no fear, blemish or downfall there.
Now, I have found this most excellent city.
There is lasting peace and safety there, O Siblings of Destiny.
God's Kingdom is steady, stable and eternal.
There is no second or third status; all are equal there.
That city is populous and eternally famous.
Those who live there are wealthy and contented.
They stroll about freely, just as they please.
They know the Mansion of the Lord's Presence, and no one blocks their way.
Says Ravi Daas, the emancipated shoe-maker.
whoever is a citizen there, is a friend of mine.
The Sikhs believe:
Raaj bina neh Dharam chle hein,
Dharam bina sabh daley maley hain.
Without power one cannot practice righteousness,
Without righteousness whole mankind shall go astray.
So is the slogan of the Sikhs:
Raj karega Khalsa, aaki rahe na koey,
Khawaar hoey sabh milengey, bache sharan jo hoey.
The pure shall rule, no one will disregard.
The impure shall repent and join, get saved in the feet of God.
With the aim of spreading love & respect for each religion in the country as:
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