Some people refer to Guru Granth Sahib Ji as a philosophy. What is your opinion, as scholars, on this perspective?
Some people refer to Guru Granth Sahib Ji as a philosophy. What is your opinion, as scholars, on this perspective?
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Respected Nikki Kaur ji,
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!
In response to your question about Guru Granth Sahib being a philosophy, the undersigned wants to say that, being not a scholar, whatever is said will be an opinion, without claiming a perfection.
There are different dictionary meanings of philosophy and one of the synonyms is ‘ism’. The Guru Granth Sahib, is not for any ‘ism’ because it encompasses the entire humanity, without any boundaries, whatsoever. It doesn’t teach religion but spirituality, as also a way of life, to live in Hukam of Akalpurakh (Divine Law) and become a righteous (ਸਚਿਆਰ)/ virtuous (ਗੁਣਵਾਨ) person.
This goal of becoming a righteous/virtuous person was laid down by the First Guru Person, Guru Nanak Sahib, when he said:-
Kiv Sachiara hoiey, Kiv Kude Tute Pal, Hukam Rajai Chalna, Nanak likhya Naal.
ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਕਿਵ ਕੂੜੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਪਾਲਿ ॥ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੧॥
According to Prof. Sahib Singh ji, who gave meanings of all the Shabads, included in Guru Granth Sahib, the entire Guru Granth Sahib is explanation of the above two Pangtis.
Further, in 21st Pauri of Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Sahib makes it absolutely clear that without becoming a righteous/virtuous person, meditation/worship can’t be possible:-
ਸੁਣਿਆ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਕੀਤਾ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਗਤਿ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਮਲਿ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਸਭਿ ਗੁਣ ਤੇਰੇ ਮੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਗੁਣ ਕੀਤੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
For a Sikh, becoming righteous/ virtuous, is not a one day affair but a long and continuous lifelong struggle in the entire life.
Hope it helps. If you have any further questions, please do ask. If you find any deficiencies, please point out the same, for improvement in future.
Regards,
Your Brother
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY
A learned man was once asked to explain the difference between Religion and Spirituality. His response was profound:
1. Religion is not just one, there are many.
2. Spirituality is one.
3. Religion is for those who sleep.
4. Spirituality is for those who are awake.
5. Religion is for those who need someone to tell them what to do and want to be guided.
6. Spirituality is for those who pay attention to their inner voice.
7. Religion has a set of dogmatic rules.
8. Spirituality invites us to explore within and get attuned to the Universal Rules.
9. Religion threatens and frightens.
10. Spirituality gives inner peace.
11. Religion speaks of sin and guilt.
12. Spirituality leads us on the path of emancipation!
13. Religion represses everything which it considers false.
14. Spirituality transcends everything, it brings us closer to our Truth!
15. Religion invents.
16 Spirituality helps us to discover.
17. Religion does not tolerate any question.
18. Spirituality encourages searching questions.
19. Religion is human. It is an organization with rules made by men.
20. Spirituality is Divine, without human rules….leads us to the Causeless Cause!
21. Religion divides between us and them.
22. Spirituality unites.
23. Religion feeds on fear.
24. Spirituality feeds on trust and faith.
25. Religion makes us to live in External Reality.
26. Spirituality lives in Inner Consciousness.
27. Religion deals with performing rituals.
28 Spirituality has to do with the Inner Self.
29. Religion feeds on internal ego.
30. Spirituality drives to transcend beyond self.
31. Religion makes us renounce the world to follow a God.
32. Spirituality makes us live in God, without renouncing our existing lives.
33.Religion is a cult.
34. Spirituality is inner meditation.
35. Religion fills us with dreams of glory in paradise.
36. Spirituality makes us live the glory and paradise on earth.
37. Religion lives in the past and in the future.
38. Spirituality lives in the present.
39. Religion creates cloisters in our memory.
40. Spirituality liberates our Consciousness.
We are not human beings, who go through a spiritual experience.
We are spiritual beings, who go through a human experience.
In my perspective, the bani of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the breath of life. It teaches the way of life. Without it, we will be lost. The bani of Guru Granth Sahib Ji gets inside you and makes you feel the presence of the divine. It is very important to be connected with the bani of Shri Guru Granth Sahib ji on a regular basis to be connected with the ultimate authority.