Sikhism101.com FAQ - God and His Universe
- How was the world created, according to Sikhism?
- Can we prove the existence of God?
- What do we know of God?
- Can we exist without a belief in God?
- Can we reconcile the existence of a merciful God with the problem of pain in the world?
- What was God's purpose in creating man?
- Is the worship of God necessary?
- What is the micro-cosmic theory in Sikhism?
- What is the concept of Truth in Sikhism?
- What happens to the individual after death?
- Is there a judgement?
- Is there a hell or heaven?
- What is Hukam?
- Sikhism believes God created Himself. How can this be true?
- When God made this world, why is there evil?
- God controls everything then why do people lecture (preach) that we should try to improve ourselves?
- How did God create the first man, woman, or the first person?
- What is Sach Khand?
- If there is such a thing as reincarnation, then why is the world population still growing?
- If everything is in God's hands then why is there evil?
- Why does God wait to punish or reward people for good or bad in their next life?
- If God has written our Destiny, then why do we need to live it?
- If our efforts do not carry us to God, then where is the point in Guru Ji asking us to do things?
- How does the Karma system work?
- How was the world created, according to Sikhism?
The Sikh explanation of creation provides a detailed account.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji describes what was before creation:
เจ เจฐเจฌเจฆ เจจเจฐเจฌเจฆ เจงเฉเฉฐเจงเฉเจเจพเจฐเจพ เฅฅ
เจงเจฐเจฃเจฟ เจจ เจเจเจจเจพ เจนเฉเจเจฎเฉ เจ เจชเจพเจฐเจพ เฅฅ
เจจเจพ เจฆเจฟเจจเฉ เจฐเฉเจจเจฟ เจจ เจเฉฐเจฆเฉ เจจ เจธเฉเจฐเจเฉ เจธเฉเฉฐเจจ เจธเจฎเจพเจงเจฟ เจฒเจเจพเจเจฆเจพ เฅฅเฉงเฅฅ- Can we prove the existence of God?
The existence of God cannot be proved in a scientific way by means of observation, experiment or other verification. Theis type of proof is possible only in the field of physical phenomena.
There are two types of evidence, direct and indirect. Indirect proof is based on probabilities and circumstances. Criminals may be convicted on the basis of circumstatial evidence. Only the existence of God can be accepted on this basis or circumstantial evidence coupled with the testimony of saints and prophets.- What do we know of God?
Guru Nanak Sahib Ji describes the attributes of God in the Japji Sahib (the first prayer in Guru Granth Sahib Ji). In the Mool Mantar, the initial invocation to God in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, it says:
เฉด เจธเจคเจฟ เจจเจพเจฎเฉ เจเจฐเจคเจพ เจชเฉเจฐเจเฉ เจจเจฟเจฐเจญเจ เจจเจฟเจฐเจตเฉเจฐเฉ เจ เจเจพเจฒ เจฎเฉเจฐเจคเจฟ เจ เจเฉเจจเฉ เจธเฉเจญเฉฐ เจเฉเจฐ เจชเฉเจฐเจธเจพเจฆเจฟ เฅฅ
- Can we exist without a belief in God?
There are atheists who deny the existence of God. They are in a way free from moral rules and the stings of conscience. However, the atheist finds no meaning and purpose of life. He misses the inspiration and consolation of religion. He misses the companionship of God and Guru, and has, no future to hope for.
Again, there are agnostics who are not certain about God, because they do not wish to get 'involved'. They fear that religion may entail austerity and sacrifice. Such people regard religion as a gamble and are not prepared to take the plunge.
- Can we reconcile the existence of a merciful God with the problem of pain in the world?
Undoubtedly, the world is full of evil and misery. Look at the many wars, slave-raids, tortures, concentration camps, atomic attacks. Do they not show that man, without a sound moral basis is worse than a wild beast?
- What was God's purpose in creating man?
It may never be possible to understand fully God's purpose in creating man, but prophets have told us something about man's goal. It is generally accepted that God's purpose is for man to realize his divine inheritance while living in this mortal frame.
เจ เจจเจฟเจ เจเจจเจฎ เจฌเจนเฉ เจเฉเจจเฉ เจญเฉเจฐเจฎเจฟเจ เจฌเจนเฉเจฐเจฟ เจฌเจนเฉเจฐเจฟ เจฆเฉเจเฉ เจชเจพเจเจ เฅฅ
เจคเฉเจฎเจฐเฉ เจเฉเจฐเจฟเจชเจพ เจคเฉ เจฎเจพเจจเฉเจ เจฆเฉเจน เจชเจพเจ เจนเฉ เจฆเฉเจนเฉ เจฆเจฐเจธเฉ เจนเจฐเจฟ เจฐเจพเจเจ เฅฅเฉงเฅฅ- Is the worship of God necessary?
God does not insist that we worship him. In His generosity, He gives to all, the high and the low, the educated and the illiterate, even to those whoa are anti-God - Atheist.
Some people are under the impression that God, just like an army commander, demands respect and worship. God does not need man's flattery or praise. Guru Nanak Sahib Ji says:
เจเฉ เจธเจญเจฟ เจฎเจฟเจฒเจฟ เจเฉ เจเจเจฃ เจชเจพเจนเจฟ เฅฅ เจตเจกเจพ เจจ เจนเฉเจตเฉ เจเจพเจเจฟ เจจ เจเจพเจ เฅฅเฉจเฅฅ
"If all people start praising Him, it will not make the least difference to His greatness."
(Ang 9)- What is the micro-cosmic theory in Sikhism?
Sikhism accepts the theory that God dwells in the body. As such the body is called 'The Temple of God'. In one of Shabad (sacred hymn) revealed by Bhagat Peepa Ji, it says:
เจเฉ เจฌเฉเจฐเจนเจฎเฉฐเจกเฉ เจธเฉเจ เจชเจฟเฉฐเจกเฉ เจเฉ เจเฉเจเฉ เจธเฉ เจชเจพเจตเฉ เฅฅ
"Whatever is found in the Universe is found in the body,
whoever searches it shall find it."
(Ang 695)- What is the concept of Truth in Sikhism?
The concept of Truth - Sach, Sat, is basic and fundamental in Sikhism. In Japji Sahib, Guru Nanak Sahib Ji deals with the subject of Truth. The word "Truth" has different meanings in different contexts. The most important connotation of Truth is God. The Almighty is Truth (Sat Kartaar, Sat Nam, Aad Sach Jugad Sach, Hai Bhi Sach, Nanak Hosi Bhi Sach, Ap Sach Keenay Sabh Sach). Another meaning of Truth is Virtue (Aapay Gun, Aapay Gunkaari) which includes qualities like honesty, righteousness, justice, compassion, detachment, humility etc.
- What happens to the individual after death?
Human life is just a stage in the upward march of the soul. The individual has got birth as a human being, after going through lower forms of life. Human life is the final stage in the soul's progress to divinity. It is for us to make the most of this opportunity and thereby end our cycle of transmigration.
เจ เจจเจฟเจ เจเจจเจฎ เจฌเจนเฉ เจเฉเจจเฉ เจญเฉเจฐเจฎเจฟเจ เจฌเจนเฉเจฐเจฟ เจฌเจนเฉเจฐเจฟ เจฆเฉเจเฉ เจชเจพเจเจ เฅฅ
เจคเฉเจฎเจฐเฉ เจเฉเจฐเจฟเจชเจพ เจคเฉ เจฎเจพเจจเฉเจ เจฆเฉเจน เจชเจพเจ เจนเฉ เจฆเฉเจนเฉ เจฆเจฐเจธเฉ เจนเจฐเจฟ เจฐเจพเจเจ เฅฅเฉงเฅฅ- Is there a judgement?
Sikhism accepts the theory of Karma: That man is punished or rewarded according to his actions. Man's actions in this world will bear witness at the time of judgement. The messengers of the god of death, Yama, takes the individual to the god of justice, Dharam Raaj, who is very strict like a moneylender. The scribes of Chitr and Gupt who have written out the account are called forth to present the balance-sheet of his actions. What does the balance-sheet show? It contains a record of good and evil deeds.
- Is there a hell or heaven?
Man is judged according to his actions. If he has done evil deeds, he goes into lower forms of life; if he has done noble deeds, he gets a human life again. The idea of hell and heaven is a mere hypothesis. The picture of hell as a place of varied and terrible tortures is symbolic:
เจเจเฉ เจฌเจฟเจฎเจฒ เจจเจฆเฉ เจ เจเจจเจฟ เจฌเจฟเจเฉ เจเฉเจฒเจพ เฅฅ
เจคเจฟเจฅเฉ เจ เจตเจฐเฉ เจจ เจเฉเจ เจเฉเจ เจเจเฉเจฒเจพ เฅฅ
เจญเฉ เจญเฉ เจ เจเจจเจฟ เจธเจพเจเจฐเฉ เจฆเฉ เจฒเจนเจฐเฉ เจชเฉเจฟ เจฆเจเจนเจฟ เจฎเจจเจฎเฉเจ เจคเจพเจ เจนเฉ เฅฅเฉฏเฅฅ- What is Hukam?
Hukam means order: that is God's order. By God's order all forms came into existence. The Divine Will is responsible for the creation, sustenance and dissolution of man and the Universe. Whatever happens is by His Will. Hukam takes the form of Natural Laws or Universal axioms. All the parts of the Universe are under His control.
According to Sikhism, true happiness is attained by accepting and submitting to the Divine Will. Guru Nanak says:
เจเจฟเจต เจธเจเจฟเจเจฐเจพ เจนเฉเจเจ เจเจฟเจต เจเฉเฉเฉ เจคเฉเจเฉ เจชเจพเจฒเจฟ เฅฅ
- Sikhism believes God created Himself. How can this be true?
It is a misconception that God "created Himself" and therefore suggesting that God was born. Gurbaani is the infallible word of God, within which there are no contradictions. Humans can make mistakes when interpreting, translating or understanding Gurbaani, however the Guru and God are Perfect.
เจญเฉเจฒเจฃ เจ เฉฐเจฆเจฐเจฟ เจธเจญเฉ เจเฉ เจ เจญเฉเจฒเฉ เจเฉเจฐเฉ เจเจฐเจคเจพเจฐเฉ เฅฅ
โEveryone makes mistakes; only the Guru and the Creator are infallible.โ (Ang 61)- When God made this world, why is there evil?
(i) The existence of evil is a Western thought. Sikhism does not agree with this thought. According to the Bible, God created Adam. Later, from Adam's rib, God created Eve to be Adam's companion. Satan (Evil) misguided them to eat the forbidden fruit. Adam thus became a sinner for disobeying God and was then thrown out of Heaven. We, all humans, being Adam's children, are born sinners and, therefore, we all will go to Hell.
- God controls everything then why do people lecture (preach) that we should try to improve ourselves?
The statement that everything is in God's hands is not understood properly; this needs some detailed explanation.
- How did God create the first man, woman, or the first person?
According to Sikhism this question is outside the domain of religion. To know it is not the religious goal of our life as stated earlier. Gurmat wants us to marvel by thinking of the Creator and the creation, and not bother about the process of creation.
- What is Sach Khand?
Sach Khand ("Realm of Truth") is the Sikh concept of Liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. It is achieved by the Guru's Grace and through meditation and Simran, remembering the Divine. There are two understandings of Sach Khand in accordance to Gurbani. The first is Sach Khand as a spiritual state of being liberated whilst alive through immersing oneself in the Divine Truth and becoming inseparable to the Truth (i.e. God's Light). The second is Sach Khand as a spiritual realm or spiritual place where the blessed souls go after death.
- If there is such a thing as reincarnation, then why is the world population still growing?
In Sikhi, when looking at populations, we aren't looking at human population but population of souls.
Can anyone say with certainty that the population of souls is increasing?
If we look at just this earth, the number of plant species and animal species are decreasing. Perhaps they are being reborn as humans. Not just that, Sikhs don't consider just this Earth to be part of God's creation we are told by Guru Nanak Sahib Ji of countless planets and even universes. Who is to say that those lives aren't being reborn here?
- If everything is in God's hands then why is there evil?
The statement that everything is in God's hands is not understood properly; this needs some detailed explanation.
- Why does God wait to punish or reward people for good or bad in their next life?
Sometimes, it appears to us that people doing illegal and antisocial acts enjoy their life and they are not punished or controlled by God. Actually such persons receive their punishment without other people knowing it. Our knowledge is limited to the legal methods of punishment, being put in jail, or being fined by a judge. The methods of God for rewards and punishment are different. They are all automatic and built in nature and God's Divine System.
- If God has written our Destiny, then why do we need to live it?
There is some serious over-thinking going on here.
Trying to understand Waheguru through our thoughts is not possible. Our processor can't handle it. It will blow a circuit but it will never be able to understand how infinite and perfect Waheguru is. We aren't perfect and so we can't understand things like perfection and infinity.
Gurbani says:
เจเจฐเจคเฉ เจเฉ เจฎเจฟเจคเจฟ เจเจฐเจคเจพ เจเจพเจฃเฉ เจเฉ เจเจพเจฃเฉ เจเฉเจฐเฉ เจธเฉเจฐเจพ เฅฅเฉฉเฅฅ
"About the extent or play of the creator Waheguru, only the creator Waheguru knows, or the valiant Guru knows."- If our efforts do not carry us to God, then where is the point in Guru Ji asking us to do things?
On the one hand, the Gurus hold that whatever happens in the world is under Divine dispensation and that His will is supreme.
karan karavan ape ap
sada sada Nanak hari jap
"He is the cause and sole author, Nanak says repeat God's name again and again."
Guru Arjan - Gauri.It would thus appear that the doer of the act and the prompter, or inspirer, of the act is one and the same - God. God does what He wills Humans act as He wills.
marai rakhai ekai ap
manukh kai kichh nahi hath
Guru Arjan - Gauri.- How does the Karma system work?
There is three kind of karma (karams)
1) The actions that we are currently.
2) The actions we did previously but we have not suffered the consequences of those karma yet.
3) The actions that we did previously and we have been ordained by Vaheguru to suffer those in this life.