HOW EUROPE IS INDEBTED TO THE SIKHS ? - Global Sikh Studies

to pay his/her Daswandh in Gurdwara only. One may spend it for other
religious, social and national activities.
3. Meditation:
Some writers, under the impact of Vedant and Brahmin-ism,
have tried to define Sikhism as 'religion of meditation'. It is not true.
Meditation is obligatory for a Sikh, it is an inseparable part of a Sikh's
life but mere meditation is not everything in Sikhism. Meditation helps
an individual's self, but a Sikh is also a part of community (the Sikh
commonwealth) and it makes prayers for the welfare of the whole of
the world. A Sikh makes such prayers at least twice a day but even in
this prayer he does not beg anything for himself. The Sikh prayer is a
national (in fact universal) prayer. A Sikh prays: "O God, give your
(all the) Sikhs (not for a particular person), the gift of Sikhi (die Sikh
way of life)". Sikhism is a brotherhood, a commonwealth of the
subjects of Almighty. So, the Sikhs don't think of begging anything for
themselves. It is for the whole of the Commonwealth. But, on the other
hand, the only thing craved by a Sikh for oneself is 'meditation'. It does
not, however, mean that meditation is non-essential, less important or
optional. It is obligatory. Guru Sahib said:
None can achieve liberation without meditation.
One can concentrate under the guidance of a Guru (enlightener).
(p. 1175)
and
Among all the religions the best religion is:
Meditation in the Name of God and Truthful living (p.266)
Meditation is not the mere recitation of His Name. To remember the
Almighty every moment, to have His noble fear, and, to love Him
from the core of one's heart, too is meditation.
4. Annihilation of terrorism:
It is an essential part of a Sikh's religious duty that he should join the
crusade to bring an end to terrorism. In Sixth Nanak's words: "A Sikh
must stand for the defence of poor, weak and downtrodden; and, he
should endeavour to bring an end to terrorism, cruelty, injustice and
in-humanism". A Sikh must not allow injustice being done to any one.
It is impossible for a Sikh to turn a cold shoulder to injustice and
cruelty.
But, if a Sikh himself perpetrates, collaborates or supports
injustice, in-humanism, cruelty etc., then he is the greatest sinner on
this earth. He is, in fact, an enemy of the Sikh nation. A Sikh has to
struggle for the cause of
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