Why we are called Sikhs? – Since generations, I have been a Sikh. I am proud of my Sikh heritage.
Why we are called Sikhs? – Since generations, I have been a Sikh. I am proud of my Sikh heritage.
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Sikh Wisdom Latest Questions
Kuljinder Singh Ji in all organized religions there is mention of God who judges us and punishes us. So to please God there are many different rituals. Guru Nanak observed that due to lack of spiritual knowledge people were directionless and priests for their own gains were exploiting them by preaching useless rituals, when he says “ਜਗੁ ਦੁਖੀਆ ਸੁਖੀਆ ਜਨੁ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਜਗੁ ਰੋਗੀ ਭੋਗੀ ਗੁਣ ਰੋਇ ॥ Jag Dukhia Sukhia Jann Koe. Jag Rogi Bhogi Gun Roe” AGGS 431.The world is in agony; rarely someone is contented. According to Gurbani, the main purpose of human life is to live a perfect noble life happily without pain and suffering in unison with God. Guru Nanak says for that we need to prepare ourselves. It is a journey in which we need to acquire knowledge, wisdom, humility, compassion, love, tolerance and honesty as per Guru’s teachings. God is not judgmental.
ਮਿਠ ਬੋਲੜਾ ਜੀ ਹਰਿ ਸਜਣੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਮੋਰਾ ॥ ਹਉ ਸੰਮਲਿ ਥਕੀ ਜੀ ਓਹੁ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਬੋਲੈ ਕਉਰਾ ॥ AGGS 784
Mith Bolara Ji Har Sajan Suami Mora || Hao Samal Thaki Ji Ohu Kade N Bolai Koura ||
ਕਉੜਾ ਬੋਲਿ ਨ ਜਾਨੈ ਪੂਰਨ ਭਗਵਾਨੈ ਅਉਗਣੁ ਕੋ ਨ ਚਿਤਾਰੇ ॥ ਪਤਿਤ ਪਾਵਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਰਦੁ ਸਦਾਏ ਇਕੁ ਤਿਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਭੰਨੈ ਘਾਲੇ ॥
Koura Bol N Janai Puran Bhagavanai Augan Ko N Chitare || Patit Pavan Har Birad Sadae Ek Til Nehi Bhannai Ghale ||
ਘਟ ਘਟ ਵਾਸੀ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ਨੇਰੈ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਨੇਰਾ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸੁ ਸਦਾ ਸਰਣਾਗਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਜਣੁ ਮੇਰਾ ॥
Ghat Ghat Vasi Sarab Nivasi Nerai Hi Te Nera || Nanak Das Sda Sarnagat Har Amrit Sajan Mera ||1||
God’ teachings are sweet and beneficial for all. God gives equally to everyone without looking at merits and demerits of anyone. God is nearest of the near as God’s abode is in everyone. As God is a philosophy, the teachings in that philosophy is, equal for all. Whoever lives life according to those teachings realizes God within. Nanak seeks God’s friendship and sanctuary forever who is the giver of spiritual life to all.
As we have seen that God is the wisdom in the word (Bani) of Guru. That means God speaks through Word of wisdom. God’s word of wisdom is sweet to everyone – sinners and non sinners. The wisdom does not differentiate between them. Even if sinners act on the wisdom they can be purified. That is how it is the God’s natural way to purify sinners. They will be in heaven now on the earth.
THAT’S why we are proud of our Sikh heritage. Guru Nanak removed us from shackles of rituals and doubts created by the clergy.
WHO IS A SIKH.
In Punjabi SIKHNA means a learner, seeker, disciple, or student. The disciples of GURU NANAK were called SIKHS. Who is SIKH of GURU NANAK, NOW SGGSJI is well defined in the text of SGGSJI. Unfortunately, over time SIKH religious leaders erroneously created different classes of SIKHS including, SEHAJDHARI SIKHS, KESADHARI SIKHS, AMRITDHARI SIKHS AND PATIT SIKHS. In the SIKH REHAT MARYADA (1945) a SIKH is defined as, a woman or man who believes in one ALMIGHTY, ten GURUS, (GURU NANAK TO GURU GOBIND SINGHJI), SGGSJI, and BANI and teachings of ten GURUS and the AMRIT of DASMESHJI and does not believe in any other religion. The Gurdwara Act of 1925 and the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee have different definitions of SIKH. All these definitions are in contradiction with the definition of a SIKH in GURBANI.
Let us discuss some examples of who is a SIKH according to GURBANI. GURU says AMRIT NEER GIAN MANN MAJAN ATHSATH TEERATH SANG GAHAI. GUR UPDES JAWAHAR MANAK SEVAI SIKH SO KHOJ LAHAI (PAGE 1328) meaning one who deeply contemplates on SHABAD, BANI, DIVINE WISDOM, destroys his or her ego and individual self, realizing the a spiritual awakening and thus enjoys bliss in life, is a SIKH. In the context of SGGSJI a TRUE SIKH AND GURU HAVE NO DISTINCTION. GURU says GURU SIKHU, SIKHU GURU HAI EKO GUR UPDES CHALAAI (PAGE 444) meaning those disciples of the GURU who destroy their INDIVIDUAL SELF and EGO (JEEVAT MARNA) and live the teachings of the GURU in daily life merges with the GURU, BECOMES ONE WITH GURU. GUR SATGUR KA JO SIKH AKHAAI, SO BHALKAI UTH HAR NAAM DHIAAI (PAGE 305) meaning TRUE SIKH OF THE GURU does not get up in the morning and get engulfed in worldly affairs, but does meditation on the SHABAD, NAAM.
Culturally and traditionally all disciples of NANAK proudly call themselves SIKHS. We all must realize however, that vast majority of us do not know what it means to be a SIKH. NANAK has awarded a very high title to a GURSIKH saying JANN NANAK DHOOR MANGAI GURSIKHKEE. I do not become SIKH by: keeping long hair; Tying turban, dumala; dressing a particular way; taking Amrit; going to Gurdwara, doing seva; practicing TEERATH ISHNAAN; doing Naam Simran and many more such rituals. As I explained above, I am not a SIKH as long I, THE EGO, INDIVIDUAL SELF, is alive.
I say there is nothing to despair about. We all are born in the house of NANAK. To be a SIKH, find solutions to life problems, enjoy a better life, and have peace and happiness. NANAK is asking all of us to pay a price, PEHLA MARAN KABOOL, JEEVAN KEECHHAD AAS meaning DESTROY YOUR INDIVIDUAL SELF, EGO AND BECOME ONE WITH SATGURU. Are we all ready for this?