Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale - Sikh Missionary Society (UK)

PART IA. THE SIKHS AND THEIR RELIGIONThe Sikh faith, and consequently the unique identity of its adherents, is defined by a setof beliefs, a cohesive organization, and a special history. The Sikh religion started with tenGurus from Siri Guru Nanak Sahib (1469-1539 C.E.) to Siri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib (1666-1708 C.E.). The word "guru" in Indian languages has been used for any teacher or guide.However, in the Sikh religion, the Guru occupies a special position. The Guru and God arepractically identical. While God is unknowable and not born, the Guru is the Perfect Beingpeople can communicate with and receive advice from. He has all the divine attributes includingimmortality. According to Siri Guru Granth Sahib 18 : 'My True Guru is forever; He does notcome and go.' Also: "Know the Guru and God to be One and the Same." The Guru is not in thecycle of birth and death like other mortals but has been specially deputed by God for thesalvation of mankind. His mission is to bless people with God's Name and to unite them inworship of God. This is analogous to the position of Jesus Christ in Christianity.The Sikhs believe in one God, revealed to mankind through the Guru. The Sikh view ofGod is summarized in the mool mantar 19 : "One God, Eternal, The Reality, The Name, TheCreator and The Doer, Immanent, Fearless, Without Enmity, Transcending Time, Never Born,Self-existent, through the Guru's Grace." Elsewhere in Siri Guru Granth Sahib, God is stated tobe indescribable, formless, merciful and loving, just and gracious. He is The Eternal Giver,Provider and Sustainer. Among the names used for God in Siri Guru Granth Sahib is Vaheguru,the Wondrous Guru.A Sikh regards human life to be an opportunity to meet God. However, one cannot meetGod by being clever but only through Guru's help and intercession. Merely reading and recitingthe scriptures, going on pilgrimages, bathing in holy rivers, fasting, renunciation of the world,celibacy, various yogic routines, charity, etc., are all useless exercises. Skills of the mind andbody only enhance one's ego unless one has understood the Guru's Word through God's Mercy.Foolish persons following their own wayward mind and not following the True Guru onlyreceive what they deserve and waste this opportunity in pursuit of transitory gratification. Lust,anger, greed, attachment and self-will are impediments in realization of God. One has to cleansehis mind of the dirt of self-will and in humility seek the True Guru's help in understanding thepurpose of life and the way to eternal joy in God. Meeting the True Guru can only come aboutthrough God's Mercy. The Sikh prays to God that He, in His mercy, may unite the Sikh with theTrue Guru. At the same time, just seeing the Guru is not enough. Deliverance from self-willcannot be achieved without studying the Sabad 20 . The True Guru instructs the Sikh about God,warns him of the impediments to his quest for the Infinite, and instructs him in a lifestyle thatwould prepare him for the ultimate union. Meeting God is seeing Him in His creation,18 Before he left the mortal world, Siri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib instructed the Sikhs to regard the Granth Sahib, consisting ofverses given by six of the ten Gurus as well as selections from the works of several Hindu and Muslim saints and holymen. as their eternal Guru. It is the Sikh scripture and is referred to as Siri Guru Granth Sahib.19 'moolmantar' is the expression used, either in full or in abbreviated form, at the start of every collection of verses in Siri GuruGranth Sahib.20 Sabad is God's Word or Bani given by the True Guru.3