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) <strong>Sikhism</strong> 9' Other Faiths:<br />
Guru Nanak, the first, sowed the seeds of<strong>Sikhism</strong>. He planted the<br />
tree of<strong>Sikhism</strong> that grew into a full-fledged tree in a total period of239<br />
years from 1469 to 1708, the period when the ten incarnations ofGuru<br />
Nanak remained on this earth in their physical fonn. The foundation of<br />
<strong>Sikhism</strong> was laid on the principles of Oneness of God and his<br />
omnipresence, His bestowing of love towards all, all being His own<br />
creation, the dignity ofhuman labour as the Gurus stressed for earning<br />
livelihood with righteous means. Then we were directed to share our<br />
earnings 'wand chhakna' with others. Non- discrimination against<br />
women, treating all the human beings as equal with no hatred towards<br />
the low, the depressed and the oppressed ones, were some ofthe other<br />
premises on which the <strong>Sikhism</strong> is based. Then the revered Gurus stood<br />
with one voice against cruelty fanaticism, oppression on the part ofthe<br />
rulers, the so called upper class people and above all exploitation by<br />
the clergy and the priestly class - by Pundits and Maulvis alike.<br />
Some extracts given below from Gurbani - Gurus' Word -,<br />
and Bhai Nand Lal speaks out the Sikh Philosophy and the<br />
relationship ofSikhs with the people of the other faiths.<br />
The revered Gurus and all the saints, fakirs, pirs etc whose<br />
'bani' has been included and incorporated in Guru Granth Sahib,<br />
always treated all human beings as equal and observed God<br />
everywhere. Some excerpts:<br />
~ukukafuw ffifTfu'€" II<br />
~ ~ ofu€" ffiffi Hfu ;:rfg~~~II<br />
SANTHU GHAT GHAT RAHIYA SAMAHIYO,<br />
PURAN POOR RAHIYOO SARAB MEH JAL THAL RAMIYAAAAHIYO.<br />
o Saints, He is pervading andpermeating within each and every<br />
heart. The Perfect Lord the Ram is completely permeating within<br />
every one and is everywhere; He is within the water and upon the<br />
land - everywhere.<br />
UR" UR" Hillo ~ ~ H30 qfu€- yqrfo"<br />
qg (')TOq f3u ~ }f(')T ~ f?)fu (OJ 3d FiJ l.Pfo"<br />
GHAT GHAT MAl HAR JOO BASAl SANTAN KAHI-O PUKAAR.<br />
KAHO NANAK T1H BHAJ MANAA BHOU - NIDH UTREH PAAR.<br />
92/ The <strong>Sikhism</strong> - <strong>Culture</strong>, History & Religion
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