Ans. According to Gurmat (Sikh teachings) there is only one religion, which is “the emphasis on Truth that is ever constant and unchanged by the ravages of time”
ਏਕੋ ਧਰਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜੈ ਸਚੁ ਕੋਈ॥
(SGGS, P. 1188)
When the Sídhas, during their discussions with Guru Nanak, asked if he (Guru Nanak) had come in this world to have his own name glorified so people would recite it like a ‘Mantra’. Guru Nanak answered in negative. He said, “I have come to show the path of righteousness and give to the world the Name of the Supreme Truth”:
ਆਦਿ ਸਚੁ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਸਚੁ ॥
ਹੈ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੋਸੀ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ॥
(SGGS, P. 1)
“The one who was true in the primal time, has been true throughout ages, is true now and will ever be true”.
He further said that he himself got emancipated by meditating on this Naam.(Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 1, pauri 28)According to Bhai Nand Lal, the poet laureate of Guru Gobind Singh, Akaal Purakh, the Supreme Being, enjoined Guru Nanak to show the path of meditation (on His Name) and to steer the thoughts of the world towards absorption in Lord’s Name such that it should be considered the only friend and benefactor.
So the true religion, according to Guru Nanak’s teachings is to focus on God Almighty and meditate on Him. This way one would reach the abode of Truth and stay there.mobAccording to Oxford Dictionary the meaning of the word ‘religion’ is: “that science or metaphysical knowledge that illustrates the relationship (or harmony) between Nature and attributes of God with man’s world and society. To us the meaning of religion is to get in tune with the Lord.
Guru Nanak, in his acrostic composition, “Patti Likhi” (in which each letter of Gurmukhi script has been explained on a spiritual level), expounds similar idea for the letter ‘sassa‘.
According to Guru Nanak, first we have to firmly believe that God does exist. Then study His creation and consider all creatures to be various forms of His own. Thus respect them accordingly. Then shun ego and focus only on Him. One who follows this way will make his/her life a success. Such a person can be called a religious person.
ਸਸੈ ਸੋਇ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਾਜੀ ਸਭਨਾ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਏਕੁ ਭਇਆ॥
ਸੇਵਤ ਰਹੇ ਚਿਤੁ ਜਿਨ੍ ਕਾ ਲਾਗਾ ਆਇਆ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਸਫਲੁ ਭਇਆ॥
(SGGS, P. 432)
“He, who created the whole universe, is the Sole Lord of all. Those who were attuned to Him served Him well; blessed is their birth”.
NOTE: These discussions are described by Guru Nanak himself in one of his long composition, ‘Sidh Gosht’, in Guru Granth Sahib (pp. 938-46)
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh