Sikhism101.com FAQ - Miscellaneous
- Sikhism and Other Religions
- If all Paths are equal then why was the Sikh religion started?
- Is the Guru Granth Sahib a compilation of Hindu & Islamic texts into one?
- How can Reincarnation be accurate?
- Why did Guru Nanak's own son abandon Sikhism?
- Do Sikhs worship the 10 Gurus as God?
- Explain the meaning of "Maas Maas Kar Moorakh Jhagre" shabad which is cited by supporters of eating meat.
- What do you know of the 'Radha Soami' faith?
- If an Atheist does good deeds and serves humanity will he reap the rewards?
- If we try to do bad actions why doesn't God stop us?
- Sikhism and Other Religions
ਸਰਬ ਧਰਮ ਮਹਿ ਸ੍ਰੇਸਟ ਧਰਮੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਕਰਮੁ ॥
ਸਗਲ ਕ੍ਰਿਆ ਮਹਿ ਊਤਮ ਕਿਰਿਆ ॥ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਮਲੁ ਹਿਰਿਆ ॥
ਸਗਲ ਉਦਮ ਮਹਿ ਉਦਮੁ ਭਲਾ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਜੀਅ ਸਦਾ ॥
"Of all religions, the best religion is to chant the Name of the Lord and maintain pure conduct.- If all Paths are equal then why was the Sikh religion started?
It is a ‘totally false’ argument that Sikhism believes all paths lead to the same goal and thus all religions are equal. From its very inception, Gurmat (the Guru’s Path) has been declared a unique and distinct path. Bhai Gurdaas Ji writes:
ਮਾਰਿਆ ਸਿੱਕਾ ਜਗਤ ਵਿਚ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਪੰਥ ਚਲਾਯਾ॥
“In the world, Guru Nanak Sahib Ji established the authority (of his doctrines) and started a Path (of religion), devoid of any impurity.”
(Vaar 1, Pauree 45 – Bhai Gurdaas Ji)- Is the Guru Granth Sahib a compilation of Hindu & Islamic texts into one?
The notion that the Sikh Gurus ‘borrowed’ from other religious texts is totally false. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji rejects time and time again all other religious texts, so why would it include passages from them? Guru Arjan Sahib Ji personally overlooked all aspects of the compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and whose Shabads are the most. These were direct revelations from God as was all the Baani from all the Gurus and Bhagats.
- How can Reincarnation be accurate?
When dealing with a question of this nature let us start off with a ‘test case’. Let’s say that of a baby who is born, screams one scream and then dies. What will happen to this infant? Why was it born? To what purpose was its life?
- Why did Guru Nanak's own son abandon Sikhism?
Guru Nanak Sahib Ji he was blessed with two sons, born around 1491 and 1494, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das. Baba Sri Chand was a very spiritual person and Guru Nanak Sahib Ji could see that he had chosen a path of quiet contemplation on the Almighty and did not care much for worldly affairs this played a part in the Guruship being passed on to Bhai Lehna Ji. This is not to say that Baba Sri Chand abandoned Sikhism. In fact the Gurus right up to the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji showed the utmost respect for Baba Sri Chand Ji.
- Do Sikhs worship the 10 Gurus as God?
Firstly the term ‘Guru’ needs to be examined. The term 'Guru' in Sikhi is not used for a teacher or a guide or an expert or even a human body. The word Guru is composed of two terms:
GU – means darkness
RŪ – means LightIn Sikhi the word 'Guru' is, thus, defined as the Light that dispels all darkness, and that is called ‘Jyot’ (Divine Light). Guru Nanak Sahib Ji is the True Guru (Satguru), the embodiment of Divine Light.
ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਰੂਪ ॥੮॥੧॥
- Explain the meaning of "Maas Maas Kar Moorakh Jhagre" shabad which is cited by supporters of eating meat.
The only Shabad (sacred hymn) in the whole of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji that is specifically cited by meat eaters in support of eating meat is the Shabad of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji in the Vaar of Raag Malaar that revealed at Kurekshetra during a solar eclipse day, a day considered holy by the Brahmins (Hindus priests). But carefully reading the the Gurbani hymns line by line it is clear that no line can be used to justify or support the eating of meat or present the eating of meat in a positive light.
- What do you know of the 'Radha Soami' faith?
When people of India were resting the sleep of illiteracy and diffidence, Guru Nanak saved these people from the fire of ritualistic beliefs and joined them in the remembrance of One God. Through his Ten Incarnations, Guru Nanak blessed the coward and the meek with kingdoms. With the Tenth incarnation, Guru Nanak carried out the most sensational marvel of gracing the disregarded and meager people by embracing and manifesting them as the "Panth Khalsa" and these people were also given the title of "Panj Pyare". Guru Sahib announced:
- If an Atheist does good deeds and serves humanity will he reap the rewards?
If an atheist has lived an otherwise righteous life and live righteously and performed good deeds then certainly it is a credit to them. A person is judged by actions and these good deeds will bear good fruits. This is the law of karma. If someone does good, it will bear a good fruit.
ਕਰਮ ਧਰਤੀ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਵਿਚਿ ਜੇਹਾ ਕੋ ਬੀਜੇ ਤੇਹਾ ਕੋ ਖਾਏ ॥
ਗਲਾ ਉਪਰਿ ਤਪਾਵਸੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ਵਿਸੁ ਖਾਧੀ ਤਤਕਾਲ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਏ ॥- If we try to do bad actions why doesn't God stop us?
(i) Waheguru does stop us from doing bad things or wrong things. He has His own ways; we have to understand them. While jumping you may sprain your ankle. It gets swollen and it gives you much pain. That is Waheguru's (nature's) way of forcing rest on us. when you get sick, you become weak and do not wish to move about; rather you feel like remaining in bed. That is what Waheguru wants you to do to get into good health.
