You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
) <strong>Sikhism</strong> & 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 form. 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 ali 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 />
~ ulfc ulfc ofuw~II<br />
¥O ~ afu€" ffire Hfu ;:rfg crfg 0Hit>w >ifTfu€' II<br />
SANTHU GHAT GHAT RAHIYA SAMAHIYO,<br />
PURAN POOR RAHIYOO SARAB MEH JAL THAL RAMIYMMHIYO.<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 />
UIZ UIZ Hilla ~ mr R3?l qfuB- yorfa'il<br />
~~ f3u 9B' }f()T ~ fofu q3d Fcl l.Pfo II<br />
GHAT GHAT MAl HAR JOO BASAl SANTAN KAHI-O PUKAAR.<br />
KAHO NANAK TIH BHAJ MANM BHOU - NIDH UTREH PMR.<br />
92 / The <strong>Sikhism</strong> - <strong>Culture</strong>, History & Religion
Change language