* Guru Nanak (A.D. 1469-1539) the Founder of Sikhism and his nine successors made a distinct contribution to religion and religious thought, He described that age as: “The dark night of evil which the moon of righteousness was nowhere visible”.

* Sikhism is a monotheistic faith ‘Monotheism in Sikhism, while not excluding the idea of transcendence, nevertheless, emphasizes Immanence. The Holy Scripture (Sri ‘Guru Granth Sahib) starts with the following invocation:

“God is one, without a second, His name is true, The All-pervading Creator, Without fear, without hatred, Immortal, un born, self-existent, Gracious Enlightener of Himself

True in the beginning, true throughout the ages, True even now, Nanak, and forever shall be true.

* Sikhism does not believe that God takes birth. No value is at attached to gods and goddesses and other deities.

“Cursed be those lips, which utter that God is subject to incarnation”, (Guru Ajan)

* Sikhism is based on three pragmatic concepts: the remembrance of the Name of God doing honest labour for living and sharing one’ ‘earnings with others.

* Sikhism is one of the young religions of the world.

* Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Master, made Sikhism more formal, He forbade smoking and cutting of the hair at any period of life He was a great innovator of democracy into religion

“The maintenance of uncut hair is as important to a Sikh as is the avoidance of Pork to a Jew or g Mu: ” (Mrs. P.M. Wylam, London).

* Guru Gobind Singh administered Amrit (the Sikh Baptismal ‘water prepared with Khanda and Gurbani) to the first Five Beloved Ones and then begged of them to baptize him. In the history, there is no other case of kneeling before his followers.

“Great is Guru Gobind Singh who is the Guru and disciple rolled into one”. (Bhai Gurdas),

* It was Guru Gobind Singh who ‘gave the Sikhs their present form and appearance although this final form of the Sikhs was evolved through the constant endeavor struggle and sacrifices of all the Gurus as well as their in numerable followers.

* Sikhism is also modern because it is rational, it does not foster blind faith, It encourages self-reliance and individual approach. “Serve the Lord with wisdom, and give alms with sense”. (Guru Nanak)

* Sikhism rejects all distinctions of caste, colour and creed and stands for the “Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of man”. In fact, Guru Nanak preached the idea of a world community and fellowship of the nations. “Our Father is one and we are all His children”. (Guru Arjan) “Omens and superstitions are the inventions of the ignorant and dark mind”. (Guru Nanak) “God does not mind our caste or birth. So let us learn the way of truthful living: for one’s deeds proclaim one’s caste and respect”. (Guru Nanak)

 * In Sikhism, the Guru instituted the Temple of Food (Free kitchen  Langar) to break the caste system, This is a good example of true democracy in daily life, Sikhism is thus distinct from other religions and has something new to offer to man,

* Sikhism believes in a casteless, egalitarian society guaranteeing  equal status of women. Guru Nanak placed women on a high pedestal. “Why call her inferior, who gives birth even to kings

 * Sikhism believes in universal good. The Sikh seeks the Lord’s Grace not only for himself but also for the whole world, The Sikhs end their prayer with these words: “By the Grace of God’s name, says Nanak, ‘You may ever go on rising higher and higher.

Let there be good of all through Divine dispensation”.

* Sikhs are proud of reverencing the best in any other religion as much as the Sikhs reverence the Wisdom of their own Gurus Hymns of other denominations recorded in the Sikh Scripture. *In Sikhism, ethics and religion go together. Guru Gobind Singh says, “Love the Sikh but for his acceptance of my discipline”.

* Guru Nanak’s God is not zealous or merely a just God, but full of love and compassion.

“I tell you truly, hear ye all: those alone who practice love shall find the Lord.” Guru Gobind Singh.

 * Affirming the equality of human beings before the creator, the Guru says, “O Nanak none is high and none is low”.

“Recognize ye All Human Race as One,” Guru Gobind Singh.

* “Whosoever frightens none, nor is afraid of another, Consider my mind, says Nanak, such a man to be Enlightened Sage”. (Guru Tegh Bahadur).

* Sikhism is the only religion which has given the Holy Scripture the status of a religious preceptor. Therefore, the Sikh Scrip true (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) is the perpetual Guru. There is no place for living human Guru in Sikh religion.

* The Sikhs believe in Fateh or victory their salutation is:

* Khalsa belongs to God. Victory be to God.

Article extracted from this publication >> December 19, 1986