Professor Hew McLeod sent his comments on the article written by Dr. Baldev Singh and agreed for it to be published on SikhSpectrum.com --Editors
In reading the article I was grateful also for the fact that I had managed to start something which was being conducted in a reasoned and logical way. So often responses to what I write have been highly emotional and lacking in all reason. My overall view was that it all hinges on one simple fact. Did Guru Nanak believe in karma or did he not believe in it? It seems to me that the answer is both yes and no. He did believe in karma as the fate of what I called unregenerate man, but he did not believe that it could triumph over the divine Name. The person who followed the divine Name was thereby freed from the power of karma.
Let me say again how very pleased I was to discover that my first book, Guru Nanak and the Sikh Religion could stimulate such a deep and meaningful response.
Your comments, “My overall view was that it all hinges on one simple fact. Did Guru Nanak believe in karma or he did not believe in it? It seems to me that the answer is both yes and no. He did believe in karma as the fate of what I call unregenerate man, but he did not believe that it could triumph over Divine Name,” has prompted me to share my thoughts further with you on this subject.
I think the famous 11th century Indologist, Al-Biruni’s remark about Hindus is very relevant in understanding Sikh Guru’s attitude to the beliefs of Hindus and Muslims: “When I meet a learned Hindu, I find out that his belief in God is similar to that of mine. However, for a person of average intelligence it is very difficult to comprehend the ‘Abstract, Almighty and Formless God’. He wants some thing tangible – he can touch or see, hence, the widespread idol worship in India.”
My in-depth study of Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS) indicates that generally the Sikh Gurus didn’t debate with Hindu and Muslim masses the validity of their beliefs. Instead, they emphasized the importance of moral living to achieve spiritual objectives. Their advice was that Naam Simran (constant devotion to God’s attributes) purifies the mind and earns God’s love (grace), which in turn overcomes the obstacles - of karma, transmigration, hell (Narak or Dozakh), record of deeds kept by Chitr and Gupt, and the fear of Yam and angel Ajraeel.
But it does not mean that the Gurus themselves believed in karma, transmigration, hell (Narak or Dozakh), Chitr and Gupt, Yam and angel Ajraeel. For instance, in Asa Di Var on page 464 of AGGS Guru Nanak has described the religious beliefs of Hindus about what happens to a bad person when he / she dies.
When one dies after enjoying the pleasures of the material world, the soul leaves the earthy body. The god of death (Yam) puts a chain around the neck of a dead person’s soul and drag it to the court (of Dharamraj, who decides its fate on the basis of the record of dead person’s deeds kept by Chitr and Gupt, Dharamraj’s assistants). There is no escape from punishment, it cries for mercy but there is no help. These are Hindu beliefs, not of Guru Nank. Guru Nanak’s own thought is expressed in the last verse. The ignorant fool has wasted his life, as the purpose of human life is to become a Gurmukh according to Guru Nanak.
Similarly on page 953 Guru Nanak has commented on Muslim beliefs about death.
Nanak says, “ O my mind pay attention to a true advice. It is God who asks for account of one’s deeds. The derelict ones with deficient accounts are taken to task. The angel of death, Ajraeel is ready to punish them. They don’t know what to do when he forces them through a narrow lane of suffering. The reality is that it is the truth that triumphs in the end and falsehood fails.”
Here the second, third and sixth lines are compatible with Guru Nanak’s philosophy. That is why he calls it a true advice. According to Nanakian philosophy it is God, Who is the cause of Creation and it is God’s Hukam (Divine Law) which controls every aspect of its working. The fourth and fifth lines refer to Muslim beliefs. In the sixth line Guru Nanak makes it clear that it is “truthful living” that matters.
One, who lives a truthful life, need not fear Angel Ajraeel or the narrow lane of suffering.
However, with learned people like Jogis, Pandits, Kazis and Muslim divines, Guru Nanak and his successors did discuss and debate their own thoughts and the belief system of others. For example, Guru Nanak, advised a Muslim how to be a true Mulim by explaining him the true meaning of five prayers.
Similarly, he advised Jogis and Brahmans how to be a true Jogi and a true Brahman, respectively. Whenever he had the opportunity to meet artisans or farmers, who could grasp his thoughts, Guru Nanak explained to them how to realize God, using the phraseology and terminology of their vocation.
Finally, there are many verses in Aad Guru Granth Sahib that emphasize that human birth is a great opportunity to meet God and it is the only chance to do so. According to the theory of karma and transmigration there could be many chances to meet God – theoretically unlimited chances. It is quite evident that the Sikh Gurus rejected the Hindu concepts of karma and transmigration.
A side issue, how did the term Adi Granth come into usage in the English literature? Was it due to the misunderstanding of the pronunciation of “Aad” or the confusion between vowels, sihari and bihari “i and I.” In Punjabi Adi means addicted, whereas “Aad” in “Aad Guru Granth Sahib” means primal (first in importance), eternal and also it has been used for God. It is surprising that no scholar whether Sikh or non-Sikh has paid any attention to this misnomer of “Aad Guru Granth Sahib.”
Moreover, the term “Aad Granth” was used for the Kartarpuri Bir. Guru Gobind Singh prepared the Damdami Bir also called Dasam Patshah Da Granth, by incorporating his father’s compositions into a copy of Kartarpuri Bir. The current volume published by SGPC is a copy of Damdami Bir. The SGPC calls it “Aad Shri Guru Granth Sahib.” I have dropped the word “Shri” as its use before Guru is redundant. Professor Devinder Singh Chahal also uses only “Aad Guru Granth Sahib” in his journal, “Understanding Sikhism Research Journal.”
It is sad and unfortunate that due to historical circumstances Sikhs have not been able to develop a systematic and rational approach to the study of “Aad Guru Granth Sahib.”
I read the article. It adresses as usual all the components except the
political aspect of the people. It is necessary that dalits should come
under a single flag to dictate the policies instead of begging for their
needs. U.P. in India should be taken taken as a model in achieving political
power. India which contributed many things to the world's development should
also lead with dalits assuming power at the Center and in the States and thus
achieving the issues they adressed in this article.
The interview given by this commander clearly shows how Pakistan Government has
suceeded in brainwashing the intellectuals and 'leaders of tomorrow, in
Kashmir, to hold up guns in the name of Allah and jihad. The moment Kashmir gets
in clutches of Pakistan, all Kashmiris would be forced to live under the
administration of army dictatorship.
All Kashmiris should recall that Prophet Mohammed preached non-violence
and peace, not militia and killings like these people
who have no meaning of life. They killed their souls the very day
they started killing innocent people of the Valley
These men came here under false pretenses. Why would someone give up a
good job to come to America to be a trainee? In light of 9/11 I can't help
but think these men all had ulterior motives and never intended to be
"trained". I feel that now they are playing on the sympathy of the public
to further their cause and to find a way to stay in country when they
should be shipped back to India. I don't feel sorry for these men at all.
Americans have to pay for training and usually don't get any kind of
payment for training. So why are they complaining? Their living conditions
were not as bad as they make it sound. Look at how many men in a military
unit have to share dorm space. Do we complain about their living
conditions? No! I say send the whiney users back where they came from and
quit wasting tax payers money on an expensive trial. Take them off of
welfare so deserving AMERICANS can take advantage of it.
Editors-- Unless a connection can be established between this particular issue and
the tragic happenings of 9/11 let us refrain from making accusations. 9/11 was a tragic time and
in its aftermath many innocent people were victimized in hate crimes. Sikhs in particular faced hostility
for no fault of ours, but due to large scale ignorance of mainstream America that could not tell the difference
between a Sikh - for whom it is mandatory to wear a turban as required by the religion - and the
Taliban.
However, your point concerning immigration fraud is well taken. We do not say that it is true in this particular case as we are unaware of all the facts, but as a general statement it is known that there are people who abuse the American hospitality that costs the American taxpayers. This money would be better served
if it were used for the uplift of the American people.
Let us also remember that this nation has always welcomed all people of every race who were and are being persecuted in the land of their birth. This one fact is a testimony to America's greatness and the vision of its founding fathers.
Engraved on the Statue of Liberty are these inspiring words: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send them the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
You have very nicely introduced the efforts
of....
You have very nicely introduced the efforts
of Babasaheb. But at the present I am seeking someone who can analyse
what's wrong in dalit practices that after 57 years of independence we
are still struggling for dalit equality and prosperity. We have a pattern
in Budhism of a catseless society but in practicle we are still divided
into 6000 castes. Is it a loss of brahmins or of the dalits. We are divided into
castes, and why haven't we united ourselves as you mentioned since there is
a basis for a casteless society in Budhism.
yours,
Daljit Khankhana
I agree that Lord Budha says the same as someone....
I agree that Lord Budha says the same as someone from UNESCO. But I am surprised to know that there are dalits so stupid who
are still not accepted as human in India as the Brahmins? What is right and wrong
in UNESCO statement and the words of Lord Buddha? What is missing from
this utouchable slavery over centuries? We always trying to befool
others to show them, we already have this from our ansestors, but we never
follow anyone.
I think creating a digital archive of Sikh related photos is a must. I'd
like to support this project. I have my own company in London and can
dedicate resources, including financial support. What are the next steps
to pursue this as far as SikhSpectrum.com is concerned?
Hon'ble Capt Amriinder Singh's drive against corruption is good. But in
this drive some junior staff attached to the judges were retrenched
without any fault.
They will be called back when the new judges will be appointed. Till then
there is break in service. Please tell, is it right? Some are having
families. What will they do till the appointment of new Judges? How will
they run their families?
In my point of view they must be adjusted anywhere else till the
appointment of new judges. From the date of retrenchment more than 8
months have passed. The junior staff are on the road.
So please think on humanitarian ground and also on Justice point of view
because the junior staff are retrenched without any fault of theirs.
I request to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Punjab to give salaries to all
the junior staff members who were retrenched from the District Courts
without any fault.
Pleasantly surprised by this anthology...