File:SIKHISM based on Gurbani.pdf: Difference between revisions

• These articles were first printed in October 1995 in book form titled SIKHISM (based on Gurbani). Gurbani refers to Sikh Scriptures, given in Sikhism’s holy book called Guru Granth Saheb.

• The idea of writing something in English whereby the Sikh youth could benefit was suggested in 1992 by the President of a Sikh Organisation who offered to have the material, if I wrote something, printed in the form of pamphlets or a book. I told him that I was neither a writer nor a scholar. What little knowledge of the Sikh religion that I had acquired had been derived from Professor Sahib Singh’s Darpan which I had found very useful to give interpretations of Sabads that I used to sing on Sundays in the temple. This interest in Gurbani and Kirtan had developed after my transfer as a headmaster from a school in Raub to Kuantan in 1970. I told the President of the Sikh Organisation that I would make an endeavour to write some articles and have them sent to him for approval.

• I knew my limitations and there was no one on whom I could depend for any advice or any clarification. After having written about half the articles which were passed on to the organisation concerned, I was told that the organisation faced problems in that they could not get anyone who had a good command of English and a sound knowledge of the Sikh religion to vet the articles. The organisation also had financial problems and could not get the articles printed. I had, by this time, put in two years of effort and felt that I should not allow this effort to go to waste. I continued adding more articles and finally approached a couple of other Sikh Organisations. Sad to say, there was no positive response from them too. Fortunately, a kindhearted Punjabi businessman, of a different faith, a stationery dealer who owned a printing press, came to my aid. Five hundred copies of the book were printed which were then distributed, for free, to temples, religious organisations and interested individuals.

• I have now revised the articles that were originally printed in the book. More material has been added and all Gurbani quotations are given in Gurmukhi script in addition to the romanized version. Five new articles have also been added.

• It is my humble opinion that anyone who makes an effort to read these articles will be able to acquire a basic knowledge of the Sikh religion, which in turn will help them in their spiritual journey in this life.

                                                                                                           GURMUKH SINGH

No.72, Taman Sentosa. 27600, Raub, Pahang, MALAYSIA. (December, 2005)