$JES 911 Essence of World Religions Reference Book

Author(s): Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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Essence of World Religions
persecution from the Muslim rulers, but with Guru Gobind Singh, self-preservation forced a strong military aimed at protecting the faith and way of life against severe opposition. Sikhism stresses the brotherhood of all men, rejection of caste differences, opposition to the worship of idols, the importance of devotion, intense faith in the Guru, getting rid of the five vices - lust, anger, greed, attachment, and ego, and the repetition of God's Name (Näm) as a means of salvation. There have been no Gurus in the Sikh tradition since Guru Gobind Singh, whose last instructions to his followers were to honor and cherish the teachings of the ten Gurus as embodied in the scripture, “Adi Granth” also known as “Guru Granth Sahib”. Since then Guru Granth has been the object of ultimate sanctity and the source of sacred inspiration; it is the highest authority for the Sikhs. Sikhs are readily identifiable by their turbans. They take a vow not to cut their hair as well as not to smoke or drink alcoholic beverages. When Gobind Singh founded (1699) the martial fraternity Khälsä (pure), his followers vowed to keep the five K's (see Belief section). The ideal Sikh is a saint-soldier committed to standing up for the weak and oppressed. The noble mission of life is to serve one's family, to serve mankind, and finally to serve God.
Beliefs
God is the sovereign one, the omnipotent, immortal and personal creator. He is a being beyond time, who is called Sat Näm for His name is truth. Sikhs consider human form as the most superior form all life as it provides a unique opportunity to break the cycle of life and death to merge eternally with God. In this life one can follow the teachings of the true Guru, prepare oneself to understand and love God, and salvage oneself from the influence of the five vices. Man grows spiritually by living truthfully, serving selflessly, and by repetition of the holy name and Guru Nanak's prayer, Japaji. Salvation lies in understanding the divine truth and that man's surest path to salvation lies in faith, love, purity, and devotion. The scriptural and ethical authority of the Ädi Granth is God's revelation.
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