“Sikhism * is among the most modern of great living religions Though small in number, Sikhism has exerted considerable influence upon the religious life of the East, all the way from north of India to Ceylon” Sikhism emerged out of an attempt to harmonize Islam and Hinduism, “the monotheism of the one and the mystic Pantheism of the other” at a time of great social unrest, human suffering, and religious persecution.103
Guru Nanak (1469-1538), the founder of the Sikh religion, was born in the Hindu high caste of Bedi Kshatriyas While still a youngman he came to the conclusion that humanity was united under The One True God of all people. He preached that one who lived up to the best in one’s creed achieved something – but of incomparably less value than the worship of the True Name. He impressed that “God was within” and that the externals of Hinduism or Islam, the main religions practiced in Punjab at the time, could not lead man to Him.104 Guru Nanak felt that the tyranny of the rulers and the helplessness of the people at large were due to absence of true understanding of the teachings of the religions.
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Guru Nanak’s personal influence did not wither away after his death and Sikhism emerged as a distinct religion. His personal rejection of the ascetic or quietest life along with his stress on living a normal family life in this world, contributed to a distinctive Sikh way of life. His unusual decision to appoint a successor whom he regarded as the Guru, religious
“According to Encyclopedia Americana, Sikh religious teachings are broadly similar to those of Christianity. Besides Oneness of God, its principle tenets are Equality of mankind; Equality of religions, Universal brotherhood, Equality of man and women in contradistinction to Hinduism, it rejects ritualism, caste system and eliminates priest between man and God.
