Interested in learning more about Sant Nirankari

[VajraYosid]

Why would Sikhs want another guru when we already have one?

Because ink and paper can't move shakti the way an embodied, organic being can. I mean no disrespect for the Guru Granth Sahib. I've read sizable chunks of it, and keep a copy of the Jaap Sahib handy, and some other hymns of Nanak. I have no doubt that the abhaangs collected from the various Sikh gurus and other saints which was collated into the Guru Granth Sahib is divinely revealed.

But it seems to me that Guru Gobind Singh, lacking a worthy human successor, instead instituted khalsa and the practice of taking scripture as surrogate guru, but I am doubtful as to the validity of interpretation so that only a few outlying sects still engage in guru-shishya parampara.

To my mind, there is no replacement for guru, not even perfectly revealed scripture endowed with the means to convey shakti.

 

[GURSIKH]

namaste Vajra


you are free to have your views but view of Sikhi differs from your view ,for Sikhs Guru Granth sahib is perfect Guru ,Prataksh Guru (Guru in person) and its not like
"it seems to me that Guru Gobind Singh, lacking a worthy human successor, instead instituted the practice of taking scripture as surrogate guru" .

Sikhs from the time of Guru Nanak have "Shabad/Word/bani" as Guru ,its mentioned several times in SGGS .

on SGGS ang 982 says
[SIZE=+1]ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਾਰੇ ॥[/SIZE]

बाणी गुरू गुरू है बाणी विचि बाणी अम्रितु सारे ॥
Baṇī gurū gurū hai baṇī vicẖ baṇī amriṯ sāre.
The Word, the Bani is Guru, and Guru is the Bani. Within the Bani, the Ambrosial Nectar is contained.
[SIZE=+1]ਗੁਰੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਕਹੈ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਜਨੁ ਮਾਨੈ ਪਰਤਖਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ ॥੫॥[/SIZE]

गुरु बाणी कहै सेवकु जनु मानै परतखि गुरू निसतारे ॥५॥
Gur baṇī kahai sevak jan mānai parṯakẖ gurū nisṯāre. ||5||
If His humble servant believes, and acts according to the Words of the Guru's Bani, then the Guru, in person, emancipates him. ||5|

blessings

 

[Treks]

Vajra, I doubt you and I are going to find middle ground on this issue. As a Sikh I accept Guru Gobind Singh Ji's hukam and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is my guru. This has many advantages from my point of view but out of respect I won't list them here.

Also just to clarify, do you have a copy of Jaap Sahib or Japji Sahib? Japji Sahib is Guru Nanak Ji's compilation. Jaap Sahib is Guru Gobind Singh Ji's and is not part of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It's an important distinction to make.

 

[dsaly1969]

Here's a good introductory video on the Sant Nirankari Mission.

[youtube]CC2ieB-7iy4[/youtube]
Sant Nirankari Mission Introduction - YouTube

Here is a good online summary of their primary teachings by one of their followers:

Sant Nirankari Mission....Song...Poem...Vichar...Book...Avtar bani...Photos: Introduction of Nirankari Mission

And here is a link to the Avtar Bani (in English) in pdf form so one can actually learn what they teach firsthand:

http://www.nirankari.com/literature/books/abani/abani.pdf

 

[dsaly1969]

I've been very happy with my association with the Sant Nirankari Mission and soon I will be moving to an area very close to the Southern California congregation (samagam) which has moved to Norwalk. Association with the sangat will provide opportunities for seva and reinforce simran - and provide reminders of brahm-gyan. These are all good things!

Dhan Nirankar Ji!

 

[Aupmanyav]

I know it as a dynastic cult, but I may be wrong. India has enough problems with dynasties, whether in religion or in politics.

 

[dsaly1969]

"Dynastic cult".... His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji pitches in himself and assists with humanitarian relief and social service efforts. That and the first and second Satgurus were not even related. - Further, the second Satguru made the decision to revert from Satguru back to a devotee when he recognized the third Satguru (1963). In Sant Nirankari the Satguru is viewed more as a "Spiritual Mentor" who helps guide us to recognize the divinity within ourselves and others - the focus is on his teachings, not "personality worship" per se.

I think the issues between Sant Nirankari and Sikhism is very similar to the issues between the Baha'i Faith and Islam. Most Sant Nirankaris see themselves as a distinct and separate spiritual movement which has roots in Sikhism - in practice this means there are some similarities in structure and format and even practice between the two paths (again, much like the relationship between Baha'i and Islam where mainstream Muslims view Baha'is as heretics rather than as a separate religion). I think the important thing is for both Sant Nirankaris and Sikhs to appreciate that they are two different and distinct spiritual paths.