Sikh The Truth

Once again my focus is set on the quest for the truth...not the truth as perceived by certain individuals but my own informed interpretations which have been ascertained by my own endeavours to seek the true meanings and philosophies as written in the manuscripts by the Guru's.

I must concede that as someone who loves philosophy, I was pleasantly surprised at the sheer amount and depth of the philosophies available in the Guru Granth Sahib. This quest will undoubtedly take me the rest of my life and even then it will not be complete, no doubt this will become a valuable resource by then and someone will endeavour to continue this work.

My main aim was to discuss certain philosophies in detail, especially those relevant to NRI's (Non Resident Indians) and those who have been brought up in a western culture. It hasn't been easy for me to find an authoritative source, but I am beginning to seek out persons and publications that have unbiased views on Sikhism. I have had to deal with breaking down the barriers of my own mind that have been erected over the years of western education and conditioning. I've learned that the east places great importance on spirituality combined with philosophy whereas the west view these two subjects as two different matters and in my experience does not place a huge importance of philosophical thinking. See my blogs on philosophical thinking; Possible Reality and Constant State of Evolution.

You will only gain knowledge by seeking. The more you become enlightened the more your boundaries will crumble around you, leaving you free to venture further. Your perceptions will begin to change once you are on the path of enlightenment.

I am fascinated by the respect Sikhism has for other religions, and unlike some religions there is no evidence to suggest that Sikhs have ever forced anyone to convert to their religion, on the contrary, Sikhs have fought to defend the downtrodden and oppressed, as were the Hindus during the Mughal rule in India.

In India now there are many different customs, languages, faiths and religions and yet all seem to be living in harmony up to the motto of unity in diversity.

Having said all that, I must add that studying religion goes hand in hand with studying history and in doing so I have touched on other cultures and religions that pre-date Sikhism, so although this blog started with a view to focus on Sikhism, I have added my research of world religions especially the earlier ones. Furthermore, it is my understanding that astrology, numerology, occultism, witchcraft, paganism, all have a part to play in the grand scheme of things and whilst some are more acceptable than others, we should not ignore the origins of mans beliefs that pre date religion as we know it in the present time.

Saturday, 1 February 2014

Alan Watts is God for 10 Minutes

If you can't see the video please click on link: http://youtu.be/H1LzVN8nqg0

Saturday, 2 November 2013

Halloween

Halloween or All Hallows day was something I grew up taking part in as a child without questioning or even knowing what halloween was about. In my later years I stopped taking part because I could not identify myself with this celebration and what seemed to me to be a day of promoting Satanism by way of dressing up as an evil character.

The 31st October is generally regarded as the day of the dead, where those that have passed away are remembered, especially the hallowed, saints. I don't particularly have a problem with this or any other celebration apart from the fact like most celebrations this has also been hijacked by capitalists for profit, and them knowing that children are taught/coerced to take part in schools and parents not wanting to let their children be left out of what has become a 'normal' and accepted activity. I fear we've come to far from the origins of this day of contemplation and placed too much value on the presentation and trick or treating, we seem to have forgot that people sat quietly in remembrance and it didn't cost anything to do so. It is only in the last few decades that people started wearing witch and devil outfits and now even outfits that are synonymous with evil characters in movies. this has nothing to do with Halloween but no one seems to be stopping this.

Theres a lot of difference between celebrating the dead and masquerading as a witch or wearing a devil mask and when I see Christians doing this in the name of fun, I think to myself surely this is going against their religious beliefs, moreover, when I see other members of the community, Indians, Hindus etc all taking part I wonder why in the name of fun are we diluting our culture and beliefs and do we think we are actually enhancing our culture by integrating into the western culture.
I've always said... you don't have to believe in something to respect it but would you expect a Christian or anyone else for that matter to go to the Gurdwara on our guru's birthdays, vaisakhi, diwali etc and then would you expect them to wear a turban if they did attend out of respect.

What it boils down to is to challenge your actions, think why you are taking part in something and be brave enough to say no, this is not part of our culture or religion as the case may be. I'm proud of integrating into western society but I am not willing to give up or compromise my beliefs in doing so. I have chosen my own path and will do my best to stay true to it.

Thursday, 13 December 2012

Diwali

Hinduism

For Hindus, Diwali welcomes in the New Year and symbolises the defeat of the darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge.
The festival was originally held to honour the return of Lord Rama and his family back to their kingdom in Ayodhya after his years of absence fighting the demon king of Sri Lanka. As they returned home at night, people lit oil lamps to guide their way. For these reasons, homes and businesses are decorated with lights at this time of year. Diwali can fall at the end of October or the start of November because it is celebrated on Amavasa, the 15th day of the dark fortnight (new moon) of the Hindu month Kartika.

Hindu celebrations stretch over five days:
Day One – Lakshmi Pooja: On the first day of celebration, homes are cleaned in order to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi. They are then decorated with lamps, mango leaves and marigolds around the doorways and gifts are given in the family.

Day Two – Naraka Chatrudashi: On this day, there is a focus on abolishing evil and the Goddess Kali is worshipped.

Day Three – Diwali Day: This is the end of the Hindu year and is celebrated by lighting lamps in the home and fireworks displays.

Day Four – Nutan Varsh: This day is the start of the Hindu New Year.

Day Five – Bhai bij or the Teeka Ceremony: This day is important to Hindus as it celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters.

Jainism

Jainism is one of India’s most ancient religions. It was revived by Bhagwan Mahavir, who organised the teachings in their current form. Jainism teaches the path of non-violence towards all living beings and attempts to explain the meaning of life and the purpose of existence.
Diwali is celebrated by the Jains as it is the day that Lord Mahavir attained moksa – this is believed to be the final liberation of the soul, which brings an end to all of the suffering that is attached to being caught in the repeated cycle of death and rebirth. For Jains, Diwali commemorates this permanent happiness of the soul. Leicester boasts the largest Jain temple in England.

Sikhism

Bandhi Chhorr Divas

For Sikhs, the story of Diwali, or ‘Bandhi Chhorr Divas,’ is a story of the struggle for freedom. Concerned by the growing power of Sikhism in India, the mogul emperor Jahingir devised a plan to imprison the 6th Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji. Guru Hargobind Ji was held for 40 days at the Gwalior Fortress with fifty two Hindu Rajas (Kings) who were deprived of their kingdoms and badly treated in the fortress. Seeing this, Guru Ji shared all of his rations with the Hindu Rajas and survived on very little himself. Outside the fortress, many influential people and Holy Men were outraged with the actions of the mogul emperor, including the highly regarded Muslim holy man Hazarat Mian Mir, who demanded Guru Ji should be released immediately. The emperor agreed to this but Guru Ji refused to leave on his own, stating that he would only leave if the 52 Rajas were also set free. After being told that only those who could hold onto the Guru Ji’s robe would be released, Guru Ji had a special robe made with 52 Khalia (tapers) so that each of the Rajas could walk free with him.

The release of Guru Ji and the Hindu Rajas coincided with Diwali Day - this is why Sikhs celebrate the day. Guru Ji was named ‘Bandhi Chhorr’, the deliverer of prisoners. Sikh’s celebrate in Amritsar (Golden Temple) by lighting candles on the sacred water that surrounds the temple, called the sarowar. Out of love and respect for the Guru Ji, this tradition continues today. Sikhs around the world celebrate
in Gurdwaras (temples).

Saturday, 17 November 2012

Jainism

Jainism believes that universe and all its substances or entities are eternal. It has no beginning or end with respect to time. Universe runs own its own accord by its own cosmic laws. All the substances change or modify their forms continuously. Nothing can be destroyed or created in the universe. There is no need of some one to create or manage the affairs of the universe. Hence Jainism does not believe in God as a creator, survivor, and destroyer of the universe. However Jainism does believe in God, not as a creator, but as a perfect being.

When a person destroys all his karmas, he becomes a liberated soul. He lives in a perfect blissful state in Moksha forever. The liberated soul possesses infinite knowledge, infinite vision, infinite power, and infinite bliss. This living being is a God of Jain religion. Every living being has a potential to become God. Hence Jains do not have one God, but Jain Gods are innumerable and their number is continuously increasing as more living beings attain liberation.

Jains believe that since the beginning of the time every living being (soul) is attached with karma and also it is in delusion (ignorant) state of its true nature. The main purpose of the religion is to remove this delusion through self-knowledge and self-effort. This knowledge will remove karma which are associated with it from the beginning of time. When all karma get removed, the soul becomes liberated soul.