Thursday, January 17, 2013

Beliefs and Practices

Nanak had very spiritual thoughts and he often preached to many people. He believed that no one is “only Hindu” or “only Muslim”. He believed that everyone was a man belonging to the human race. He believed in an inner spirit between Islam and Hinduism and that’s what he preached to other people. Nanak only believed in only one god (monotheism). He believed that universal toleration is the goal of all religions in the world. Nanak found Hinduism and Islam useless. In Guru Nanak’s day, the common people paid tribute to a large number of minor gods and goddesses that were known to Hindus. Hindus believed in many superstitious bondage and fear over the centuries that had nothing to do with the religion of Hindu itself. Guru Nanak didn’t believe in any of the superstitions and he emphasized strict monotheism in all of his teachings. Guru Nanak also respected the "untouchables" in the caste system unlike the rest of the society. He put all his teachings and beliefs and composed the “Mool Mantra” and he taught it to all his followers. “There is one God, His Name is Truth, The All-pervading Creator, Without fear, without hatred, Immortal, unborn, self-existent, By grace, the Enlightener. True in the beginning, true throughout the ages, True even now, Nanak, and forever shall be true.” (Japji, Mool Mantra). Lehna was one of Guru Nanak’s followers and he was destined to be Guru Anand (the second guru), and he believed in Nanak’s words seriously. Lehna propagated this idea, and he intended that all Sikhs need to repeat this to remind them of God’s one-ness. Sikh’s believe in many different aspects which all lead up to the religion itself. They believed in reincarnation which is an idea from the Hindus. He also believed that the Goal of life is to appreciate the face of his eternal spirit and becoming reunited with him. They also believed in illusion and suffering. “Adversity is a medicine and comfort a disease.because in comfort there is no yearning for God.” (Asa Di Var XII.1)

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