How can Sikhs contribute to building a more just and peaceful world?

Respected Mankaran Singh ji,
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

In response to your question as to ‘how Sikhs can contribute to building a more just and peaceful world?’, the undersigned wants to say that first of all the Sikhs have to understand that the Guru Granth Sahib doesn’t belong to them alone.

Rather, it belongs to the entire humanity, because it encompasses the entire humanity, without any boundaries, whatsoever. Also, the Sikhs have to understand that It doesn’t teach religion but spirituality as also a way of life to live in the 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 continuous effort (day and day out) encompassing the entire life.

This, however, has actually not happened in case of many Sikhs because they have just read Guru Granth Sahib but have not applied the teachings in their life.

So, the Sikhs have to get rid of vices, become righteous/virtuous (Gurmukh), become one with Akalpurakh and Shabad Guru, who are embodiment of each other, reach the stage of spiritual equipoise (ਆਤਮਿਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ) & spiritual bliss (ਆਤਮਿਕ ਆਨੰਦ) and finally achieve spiritual emancipation/salvation in this life itself (ਇਸੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਿਚ ਆਤਮਿਕ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ ਮੁਕਤ ਹੋ ਜਾਣਾ).

Once majority of the Sikhs build a strong character, as per teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, then people will themselves become Sikhs and no publicity (parchar) would be required. On this becoming a mass movement and majority of the humanity having a strong character, the world is bound to become just and peaceful.

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