is there any concept of sin in sikhism ? if then what is a sin and is there any consequences of it? pls try to explain it in. english as I am from England and don't understand punjabi

Respected Brother/Sister,

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

In response to your question about concept of sin, in Sikhi, the undersigned wants to say that the literal meaning of ‘sin (ਪਾਪ)’ is evil, wickedness or crime. It refers to an act that goes against moral and divine laws.

The spiritual meaning of sin, as per Guru Granth Sahib, is indulging in vices, which a person is expected to get rid off, by living life, as per teachings of Guru Granth Sahib and achieve spiritual enlightenment/salvation/ emancipation in this life itself, because there is no concept of salvation, after death, in Sikhi.

Professor Sahib Singh, after giving interpretation of all the Shabads, included in Guru Granth Sahib, has given a Gurmat Sidhant ‘Kiv Kude Tute Pal’ in which, under the heading ‘Deeds and their Effects’, by giving the example of a village child, have given his views about effects of deeds of a person, on the mind. He has written:-

“Whatever deeds a person does, during present life (after birth), the results of these deeds become part of consciousness of one’s mind. According to him, mind is nothing but accumulation of good and bad deeds and their invisible images in the mind. These invisible images are not only witness of the deeds done, in the present life, but also keep on motivating the person to do similar deeds.

Since the universe came into being or will continue to exist, as per rules of the nature, the psychological makeup of the human mind has been and will remain the same, as per these rules. However, this psychological makeup of the mind can change, as per special rules, and continues to change. What happens is that a fight between, accumulated good and bad deeds, continues to take place in one’s mind and the stronger side makes all out efforts to suppress the weaker side. Therefore, it depends on the person, whether the good deeds or bad deeds part gets strengthened because of further deeds done.

In view of the above position, any person, living anywhere in the world, knows about the concept of good and bad deeds and can very well introspect the effect of his deeds in his life.

A person, making efforts to strengthen his good deeds, as per Sikhi, is on the path of getting rid of vices and becoming a righteous/virtuous person (Gurmukh) and becoming one with Akalpurakh and Shabad Guru, who are spiritually embodiment of each other and reaching the stage of spiritual equipoise and spiritual bliss.

Thus, by strengthening his good deeds, a person will live a purposeful life and will not waste it.

On the other hand, a person indulging in bad deeds will continue to die spiritually, every new and then, and will waste away this valuable life and go away.

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