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

Who is a Sikh
Once, someone asked me a question: "what are the merits of a Sikh ?"
A short answer to this question was not an easy task. It needed several
pages to explain it because a Sikh (a genuine Sikh) is an image of the
sketch of a superman. Sikh is also defined as 'saint soldier'. Again a
question arises, "what is a saint and what is a soldier?" This, too,
again, needed a lot of explanation. Finally, it was decided that I should
mention 20 virtues of a genuine Sikh.
1. A Sikh believes in one and the only God who is Omnipresent,
Omnipotent, All-pervading, Eternal, Infinite; who is the Creator,
Sustainer, Destroyer; who existed in the beginning, exists now and
shall remain existent forever; who is not born (hence does not die);
who has no chosen subjects; who loves everyone alike; who can not be
defined in words.
2. A Sikh is not afraid of any power on this earth. A Sikh neither
fears nor frightens anyone. But, a Sikh always lives in the noble fear of
the Almighty.
3. A Sikh has no enemy. He does not have disdain for anyone. A
Sikh does not hate anybody. But, a Sikh does not forgive cruelty and
inhumanism. It is a Sikh's duty to fight for Righteousness. Otherwise,
a Sikh is not supposed to have hatred, jealousy, partiality or revengeful
attitude for any one on this earth. A Sikh is ever ready to forgive
wrongdoing of an innocent person. Pity and forgiveness are must for a
Sikh. If someone comes to a Sikh with a pure heart and with a desire
for repentance, a Sikh must forgive him. However, inhuman killers,
terrorists and those who have perpetrated atrocities on people must be
punished and should not be forgiven.
4. A Sikh does not have negative thinking. A Sikh is always
positive in his approach. A Sikh has constructive approach and does
not have destructive thinking. To strengthen truth and justice and to
bring an end to injustice is obligatory for a Sikh.
5- A Sikh is always in blissful feeling. He always bows before the
Will of the Almighty. A Sikh always sings hymns in die praise of the
Almighty; it may be an occasion of birth, marriage or death, it may be
joy or sorrow. Keertan (singing hymns) is a part of a Sikh's spiritual,
personal as well as social life.
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