"Truth is higher than everything,
But higher still is truthful living"
(Guru Nanak, the 1st Sikh prophet)
Unlike many other Eastern #philosophies which preach asceticism and escapism, 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 Mool Mantar (literally, the root verse; the first hymn composed by Guru Nanak) sums up the basic belief of the Sikhs. Guru Granth Sahib begins with the Mool Mantar. Every Sikh is expected to recite it daily. The English translation is given below:
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)
to be continued...
No comments:
Post a Comment