My Malice and Bias

  The Middle Paths of Buddhism and Sikhism Two new spiritual philosophies emerged from the sacred land of India that challenged the doctrine of the establishment and shaking the foundation of the incumbent practices of the land. These two spiritual paths are ' Buddhism ' and ' Sikhism ' and both are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. Both religions have their unique belief systems, practices, and traditions. However if you scratch away the superficial layers of ritualistic differences, you will find that these two philosophies have a lot in common. Lets dig deeper into the origin, progression, and core values of both of these great religions and explore common traits: The Originators - Gautam Buddha and Guru Nanak The originators of both these religions did NOT come from the typical Brahminnic traditions with sacred blood lines. In India the Brahmin caste is considered esteemed due to their generations long role as the custodians of religious spirituality. These Bra...

The Sikh Ardaas The term Ardās (Gurmukhi: ਅਰਦਾਸ) is derived from two words ' Arz ' meaning a appeal, supplication, or petition to the Almighty God with a hope - " Aas ". The Sikh prayer is carried out before undertaking any significant task; after reciting the daily Banis (scriptures), Kirtan (hymn-singing) or any other community, family or personal events such as birth, naming ceremony, wedding, anniversaries, or on a funeral. The Structure The Sikh Ardaas is divided into five sections: First section: devoted to the Almighty Creator and the ten gurus. Second section: remembers the  sacrifices of the early Sikhs.  Third section: collective prayer - first from the Khalsa, then from all Sikhs. Fourth section: allows the praying Sikh to appeal for specific desires and and for forgiveness and further guidance.  Fifth Section: The Ardaas ends with the ultimate appeal for the 'well being of all'. Section 1: Praise the Glory of Almighty God Sikh Nishaan Sahib with ...

Guru Nanak  (29 November 1469 – 22 September 1539) was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. Guru Nanak traveled far and wide from Tibet to Srilanka, and from Bengal to Baghdad, teaching people the message of one God who dwells in every one of His creations and constitutes the eternal Truth. He set up a unique spiritual, social, and political platform based on equality, fraternal love, goodness, and virtue. Guru Nanak Guru Nanak's words are registered in the form of 974 poetic hymns in the holy text of Sikhism, Sri Guru Granth Sahib. His teachings have broader imprint, but lets look at just ten of his core teachings and then reflect upon how he would judge us if he visit us today. Will he be pleased how we have followed his messages and applied them to our lifestyles, or he will be disappointed by our behaviors and actions? 1. There is Only One God Guru Nanak coined the concept of Ik Ongkaar (Gurmukhi: ੴ , ਇੱਕ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ; the symbol that represents th...

The Proponent of Chardi Kalaa - the Ascending Optimism  Guru Gobind Singh (Julian Calendar: 22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708), was the 10th Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher. His teachings have inspired the Sikhs and others for generations. Guru Gobind Singh " If we consider the work which (Guru) Gobind (Singh) accomplished, both in reforming his religion and instituting a new code of law for his followers, his personal bravery under all circumstances; his persevering endurance amidst difficulties, which would have disheartened others and overwhelmed them in inextricable distress, and lastly his final victory over his powerful enemies by the very men who had previously forsaken him, we need not be surprised that the Sikhs venerate his memory. He was undoubtedly a great man. " (W, L. McGregor) The Sikhs use the ancient Indian lunar calendar and according to it, the birth day of the Tenth Master is on the 22nd day of Poh - the lunar m...

Sri Guru Granth Sahib - the Eternal Guru of Sikhs Sri Guru Granth Sahib [Punjabi (Gurmukhi): ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ], is the central religious scripture of Sikhism, considered by Sikhs to be the final, sovereign guru after the lineage of ten Gurus of the religion. Sri Guru Granth Sahib at Harmander Sahib, Amritsar, Punjab Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a voluminous text of 1430 Angs (pages), compiled and composed during the period of Sikh Gurus from 1469 to 1708 and is a collection of hymns (Shabad) or Baani describing the qualities of God and the necessity for meditation on God's Nām (holy name).  The Origin The origin of the Sikh scriptures lies in the hymns of its founder, Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji which were preserved by his successor, Guru Angad Devi ji.  The collection known as the "Pothi" was passed on to his successors and then handed over by the Third Guru's son Bhai Mohan to the fifth Guru, Arjan Dev ji. The Original Pothi of Guru Nanak The Adi G...