Sikhism: Ask your questions

[Breathe]

What is some basic Sikh theology?

Can be summed up in the Mūl Mantar (mantra):

One God, Truth (or Existence) is His Name. The Creator. No fear, no hate. Beyond time. Unborn, self-existent, the teacher of grace (sometimes translated as "By Guru's Grace", but I don't feel that reflects the message right).

Is Waheguru panentheistic like Brahman?

Yes. Panentheism sums up Sikhism's view on God perfectly.

Monistic, with emanations?

No incarnations.

God is present in all, but no finite form can be worshipped as God.

Is God gender-less?

Yes.

Gurū Granth Sāhib and Sikh Gurūs have referred to him as the male, and the soul is the bride - however, God has no gender. The Gurū Granth Sāhib is clear on this.

Either way, is the Divine Feminine expressed in Sikhism?

As God is beyond "Divine Masculine", and "Divine Femine", these don't really apply.



ਇਕੋ ਭਾਈ ਮਿਤੁ ਇਕੁ ਇਕੋ ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ॥
The One is my Brother, the One is my Friend. The One is my Mother and Father.



ਭੂਲਹਿ ਚੂਕਹਿ ਬਾਰਿਕ ਤੂੰ ਹਰਿ ਪਿਤਾ ਮਾਇਆ ॥੧॥
Like a foolish child, I have made mistakes. O Lord, You are my Father and Mother. ||1||


Two, of many verses, on God being both our Mother and Father in the Gurū Granth Sāhib.


Additionally, women in Sikhism are seen as equal in every way to men. Women can pray, lead prayer, etc - even whilst on their periods, unlike in some religions.

How do Sikhs get around theodicy?

No original sin, no Satan.

Humans are prone to weakness due to the ability to make choices and having free will. People generally do evil from ignorance, fanaticism, selfishness, or other reasons. Humans aren't evil. Generally, suffering can occur for natural, or karmic reasons. Most people believe it is God's Will for something to happen, and take it in their stride. Bad things happen, good things happen. Perhaps it was a test, or karma, or just because of disease. Suffering is an ingredient of life.

Some of the Sikh Gurūs suffered terribly under the cruel actions of fanatic Moghuls, and accepted it as Wahegurū's Will.

Ultimately, though, all pain is an illusion of duality that the ego-mind cooks up.



I found this online for you, regarding Sikhism and theodicy.

Sikhs believe that one of the causes of evil & suffering in the world is due to people turning from God & bringing about evil with their self-interest, egotism, & greed.
People become caught up in the world of maya (illusion) by becoming preoccupied with satisfying their own desires – the end result is suffering.
In Sikhism, the world is transitory and a passing phase. However, it is viewed as relatively real. God is viewed as the only reality, but within God exist both conscious souls and unconscious objects; these created objects are also real.

Ignorance & selfishness is know as haumai in the Sikh religion.
In the Sikh religion, humility (or Nimrata) is considered a great virtue. Humility is developed by erasing its opposite, which Sikhs call haumai or self-centered pride, or ego. It is this ego which stands in the way of God realization. It can be erased by seva, or selfless service, and complete submission to Waheguru, or God. A Sikh serves God by serving other people.
Not all suffering can be explained, but Sikhs believe that there is a reason for everything, & “that faith in God enables people to endure hardship. Suffering on behalf of others by defending them or alleviating their situation is seen as right & necessary.”

Source:www.nvcc.edu/home/lshulman/samples/sikh.ppt - accessed 28th July at 3:31pm GMT

 

[Breathe]

Would you agree that the point or goal of Sikhi is to unite with the Lord (Waheguru)?

Absolutely.

If so what does that bring, what are the benefits of uniting?

How is that state of union according to Sikhs and Sikh scripture/philosophy?

Inner peace and enlightenment - and to unite with God is to stop the cycle of birth and death.


I was gonna look for some quotes, but I couldn't think of where to begin...

 

[Marco19]

Friend Odion thanks,
It seems having sects, split within the same faith is a general rule, even though it's painful but it always happens.

Friend Chinu,

Marco ji, Chinu have one question for you --- do you really really really ... trust that "Guru Gobind Singh ji" was God or God in man

first of all i'm not Sikh, and my knowledge is not as yours
IMO he wasn't what you mentioned, i think he was a religious leader who carried the responsibilities to protect his faith.
but my view is not important, i'd like to learn from you, so will wait your respond.

Thank You.

 

[Marco19]

Friend Odion,

i'm just wondering from Sikh POV, why God created imperfect souls and let them go through a long process (reincarnation) till they become Godlike?

Thank You

 

[Breathe]

i'm just wondering from Sikh POV, why God created imperfect souls and let them go through a long process (reincarnation) till they become Godlike?

I am not sure if there is a reason within Sikhism itself.

But my own opinion is that people simply forgot they were perfect to begin with.

Perhaps Waheguru put us here to experience and learn.


However, the focus for me is not why we are here, but how to get "Home"

 

[GabrielWithoutWings]

As God is beyond "Divine Masculine", and "Divine Femine", these don't really apply.



ਇਕੋ ਭਾਈ ਮਿਤੁ ਇਕੁ ਇਕੋ ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ॥
The One is my Brother, the One is my Friend. The One is my Mother and Father.



ਭੂਲਹਿ ਚੂਕਹਿ ਬਾਰਿਕ ਤੂੰ ਹਰਿ ਪਿਤਾ ਮਾਇਆ ॥੧॥
Like a foolish child, I have made mistakes. O Lord, You are my Father and Mother. ||1||


Two, of many verses, on God being both our Mother and Father in the Gurū Granth Sāhib.

Would it be all right then to change the word "Lord" to "Lady" or "Goddess"?

 

[Breathe]

Would it be all right then to change the word "Lord" to "Lady" or "Goddess"?

Theoretically yes, but the text uses masculine grammar, so it wouldn't be accurate to the translation.

The reason it uses masculine grammar is because Punjabi divides things into 'he', and 'she'. One cannot use 'it', because 'it' isn't available. Therefore, like in many languages 'he' is the default for 'male and female'. It could also be mistaken for giving the impression God is female, because it would be using a term not usually used.

 

[chinu]

Friend Chinu,
first of all i'm not Sikh, and my knowledge is not as yours
IMO he wasn't what you mentioned, i think he was a religious leader who carried the responsibilities to protect his faith.
but my view is not important, i'd like to learn from you, so will wait your respond.
Thank You.

Marco ji, not only in sikhism, Globely there's a lot of difference between "Guru-Hood" and "Religious-Leader" or "Religious-Contractors" i think, So before stepping farward i think you should clear this first

_/\_
Chinu

 

[chinu]

Friend Odion,

i'm just wondering from Sikh POV, why God created imperfect souls and let them go through a long process (reincarnation) till they become Godlike?

Thank You

Marco ji, I think your question is wrong --- You said --- "God created" But "He" is still creating, he has not finished --- creating yet

So.. now the question becomes: Why is he creating --- such things, and the answer is: Because really really really there's a need , or let "Him" finish first then we will discuss.

Marco ji, the word creating is made by "Time" and we all are in "Time" and the creator is beyond "Time"

In sikhism we use to say "Sat-Shri-Akal"
Sat = Truth
Shri = Honour
Akal = Beyond Time.

Combine all it means: I honour the truth which is beyond "Time"

_/\_
Chinu

 

[Onkara]

Chinu ji, Odion ji
Do you accept that everything is Hukam - Divine will?

 

[chinu]

Chinu ji, Odion ji
Do you accept that everything is Hukam - Divine will?

Yes, even my acception is also a part of divine will.
Infact, disaccepting or accepting both are part of divine will.

_/\_
Chinu

 

[Onkara]

Yes, even my acception is also a part of divine will.
Infact, disaccepting or accepting both are part of divine will.

_/\_
Chinu

Thank you for the answer _/\_

Is Gurbani more beautiful in Punjabi than the English translations? I don't know :sad4:

Is the Punjabi old fashioned and difficult to understand today?

 

[chinu]

Thank you for the answer _/\_

Is Gurbani more beautiful in Punjabi than the English translations? I don't know :sad4:

Is the Punjabi old fashioned and difficult to understand today?

"Dukh rog santap utre suni sacchi bani " # GGS

English: " All worries and sorrows get vanish --- when one listen's a true bani "

Onkara ji, Truely saying Gurbani is a divine language, it has nothing to do with english or punjabi infact.

When guru sahib says that: All worries and sorrows get vanish --- when one listen's a true bani --- then it is not ment by physical or bookish bani, it is ment by "Divine Sound Current" which is preasent inside everybody.

Nevertheless orignal "Gurmukhi-script" is more important than english translation because translator can add his/her own mindly impressions while translating.

I think it is best that firstly one should learn "Gurmukhi" and then try to understand gurbani using own efforts.

_/\_
Chinu

 

[Onkara]

Thanks again Chinu ji
This is very useful.

 

[Onkara]

What is the average age of people taking Amrit baptism in the Punjab country and other countires?

 

[chinu]

If you have any questions on Sikhism, Sikh practice, culture, philosophy, history or tradition, ask away!


All genuine questions welcome - it doesn't matter how big or small, and no question is a stupid question.


So, ask away!

Who was the first Sikh ?

_/\_
Chinu

 

[chinu]

What is the average age of people taking Amrit baptism in the Punjab country and other countires?

0Zero...

_/\_
Chinu

 

[Onkara]

0Zero...

_/\_
Chinu

I guess you mean people are born Sikh... I agree, their soul is married to their Beloved from 0.

I understood people's body-mind choose to take Amrit baptism later in life and adhere to the 5 Ks. payers, etc?

 

[chinu]

I guess you mean people are born Sikh... I agree, their soul is married to their Beloved from 0.

I understood people's body-mind choose to take Amrit baptism later in life and adhere to the 5 Ks. payers, etc?

A = Away
Mrit = Death
Combine both (A+mrit) means: "The one who is away from deaths"

Yes couple of people are drinking man made amrit --- but not the real one --- which is raining within everybody

_/\_
Chinu

 

[Onkara]

A = Away
Mrit = Death
Combine both (A+mrit) means: "The one who is away from deaths"

Yes couple of people are drinking man made amrit --- but not the real one --- which is raining within everybody

_/\_
Chinu

Very good, I didn't know that is what it meant! Thank you.