Philosophy
In the Gurū Graṅth Sāhib, the Sikh scripture, the concept of the supreme reality is dynamic and idealised. The many pluralities represented by concepts such as nirguṇa-saguṇa or the transcendent-immanent are subsumed in it. God is nirguṇa or without attributes. Yet God is saguṇa or with attributes, too, because in the manifested state all attributes are divine. At the same time the ultimate reality of God never binds itself to any specific forms of image. Sikhism clearly rejects avatārvād or belief in divine incarnation and idol worship.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Sahib Ji summarized the basis of Sikh lifestyle as: Kirat Karo, Naam Japo and Wand kay Chako, which means work diligently and honestly, meditate on the holy name (Waheguru), and share the fruits of labors with others. The idea that human beings must work for a living and play an active role in society is the basis of this philosophy. The guiding principles of the Sikh faith are Truth, Equality, Freedom, Justice, and Karma.
The Sikhs revere Sri Guru Granth Sahib as their supreme teacher. The tenth Guru ended the line of personal Gurūs and transferred his authority to the dual agency of the Sikh scripture Srī Gurū Graṅth Sāhib and to the Guru Khalsa Panth. The Paṅth or the community of followers was to be the physical manifestation of the Gurū, while the Graṅth was to be the spiritual.
Sikhism can be considered one of the more universal religions. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib, in addition to the revelations of the Sikh gurus, contains revelations of various saints and sages of that period. The opening hymn of the holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib expounds the nature and attributes of God:
| “ | There is one supreme eternal reality; the truth; immanent in all things; creator of all things; imminent in creation. Without fear and without hatred; not subject to time; beyond birth and death; self-revealing. Known by the Guru’s grace. | ” |
Sikhs are not required to renounce the world. They aspire to live the life of a householder. Seva (selfless service) is an integral part of Sikh worship, observed in the Gurdwara. Visitors of any religious or socio-economic background are welcomed, where langar (food for all) is always served to people of all origins, the same (vegetarian) food, while sitting together on the same level of the floor.
Protecting the religious and political rights of all people and preventing discrimination is an integral part of the Sikh faith. The 5th Guru Arjan Dev was martyred by the Mughal ruler Jahangir on 16 May 1606 for refusing to convert to Islam. The martyrdom of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji 9th Guru to protect Hindus from religious persecution, in Delhi, on 11 November 1675 AD, is another example of upholding minority religious freedom; he gave his life to protect the right of Kashmiri Hindus to practice their own religion when they were being forced to convert to Islam by Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor at the time.
People revered by Sikhs also include:
- Bhai Mardana: one of the first followers and lifelong companion of Guru Nanak
- Bhai Bala: one of the first followers and lifelong companion of Guru Nanak
- Baba Budha Ji: Sikh saint, held the position of high Granthi in the Sikh religion, conducted the ceremony of guruship of the second guru up to the sixth guru, oversaw the construction of the Akal Takht
- Baba Banda Singh Bahadur: fought and defeated the Mughal Governor of Punjab, Wazir Khan, and established a Sikh force in Punjab
- Baba Deep Singh: Sikh saint, defended Golden Temple with his head in his hand, first head of the Damdami Taksal
- Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh: Sikh scholar, compiled the Dasam Granth
- Bhai Taru Singh: a patron of the poor
- Shaheed Bhai Subeg Singh: known for sacrificing his life for the right of faith
- Shaheed Bhai Shahbaz Singh: son of Bhai Subeg Singh, also known for sacrificing his life for the right of faith
- Bhai Gurdas: known for his interpretation of Bani and his works (vaars)
- Bhai Kanhaiya: known for starting the first action of Red Cross
- Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji: known for sacrificing his life for the right of faith
- Shaheed Bhai Sati Das Ji: known for sacrificing his life for the right of faith
- Shaheed Bhai Dayala Ji: known for sacrificing his life for the right of faith
- Bhai Bachittar Singh Bahadar: known for sacrificing his life in battle in bravery, by putting a spear through an intoxicated elephant that was covered in armour
Early Sikh scholars included Bhai Santokh Singh, Bhai Vir Singh and Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha.
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Famous quotes containing the word philosophy:
“My philosophy is such that I am not going to vote against the oppressed. I have been oppressed, and so I am always going to have a vote for the oppressed, regardless of whether that oppressed is black or white or yellow or the people of the Middle East, or what. I have that feeling.”
—Septima Clark (1898–1987)
“It is not easy to make our lives respectable by any course of activity. We must repeatedly withdraw into our shells of thought, like the tortoise, somewhat helplessly; yet there is more than philosophy in that.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Philosophy can be compared to some powders that are so corrosive that, after they have eaten away the infected flesh of a wound, they then devour the living flesh, rot the bones, and penetrate to the very marrow. Philosophy at first refutes errors. But if it is not stopped at this point, it goes on to attack truths. And when it is left on its own, it goes so far that it no longer knows where it is and can find no stopping place.”
—Pierre Bayle (1647–1706)