Ans. Gurdwara is one of the most important institutions of Sikhs. During his travels (udaasis), wherever Guru Nanak went and established his congregation, he founded a “Dharamsaal”. Over time Dharamsaal evolved into what is now known as Gurdwara. The meaning of the term ‘Gurdwara’ is, through Guru or Guru’s door, e.g., ਗੁਰੂ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਹੋਇ ਸੋਝੀ […]
Q.54. What do we understand by the term ‘Gurdwara’? Read More »
Ans. Langar is the free (community) kitchen, which is an integral part of Sikh way of life. The term Langar is of Persian origin. It means anchor, a pronged weighty device made of steel, which is cast into the sea in order to hold the ships/boats in a particular place. That is why we use
Ans. Before Guru Nanak the expression, “sadhu na chale jamaat”, or a saintly person could not perform his religious activities in congregation, was often heard in the Hindu society. The Western Judeo-Christian) religions emphasized on, “flight of alone to the alone”. But Guru Nanak started the institution of “Saadh Sangat” (holy congregation). On a question
Q.52. Why is ‘Sangat’ (congregation) given so much importance in Sikhism? Read More »
Ans. In Guru Granth Sahib the praises of Naam Simran have been certainly given many times, but its definition has purposely been left untold. This means that every one of us is presumed to possess Simran (within), only it needs to be firmly entrenched by remembering it always never to forget it. The very meaning
Ans. While meditating, when mind attains the awareness of existence of God through His light, that state is called the revelation of Naam. Naam is also the sudden awareness (like lightening) regarding collective virtues of God. According to the third Master, Guru Amar Das: ਅੰਤਰਿ ਖੂਹਟਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਭਰਿਆ ਸਬਦੇ ਕਾਢਿ ਪੀਐ ਪਨਿਹਾਰੀ॥ (SGGS, P. 570)
Q. 50. What do we understand by “Naam”? Read More »
Ans. To worship any one of the twenty-four Avtaaras (of Hindu mythology) as ones spiritual preceptor is Bhakti according to Hindu belief. The idea that God is merciful and from time to time He takes birth for the emancipation of human beings has been prevalent in the Hindu society. The twenty-four Avtaaras, which include Lord
Ans. Guru Nanak Dev always enjoined his disciples for Naam, Daan and Ishnaan, and asserted that all Sikhs should practice honest work and sharing their earnings with less fortunate fellow human beings. According to him the life of those observing Naam, Daan and Ishnaan always stayed in perfect balance or equipoise. Bhai Gurdas in the
Ans. Discrimination based on caste or race has absolutely no place in Sikhism. According to Bhai Gurdas, the creation of four castes (in the Hindu society) resulted in discrimination in the world. From this discrimination grew hatred to such an extent that now the whole humanity is a victim of bigotry. The (Sikh) Gurus broke
Q.47. Is there a place for caste system and racism in Sikhism? Read More »
Ans. It is said that in order to determine the level of progress of any society, one should consider the place it gives to its women-whether it is running away from or running after (lusting) them. The sign of an unhealthy society is the suppression of its women, to consider them inferior to men or
Q. 46. What is the status of women in Sikhism? Read More »
Ans. The meaning of this sentence, which is recited towards the conclusion of Ardaas (Sikh supplication), is that Guru Nanak says, whoever keeps the name of God as his/her guiding beacon in life shall always be in ascending spirits being lies in staying within God’s will every ones well Also, in Guru Granth Sahib it
Q. 44. What is the meaning of “Nanak Naam charhdi kala, tere bhaane sarbat ka bhala”? Read More »
