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Rajinder Singh ji, Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh

Here are the replies to your questions:

1) (a) What are some of the main rules your religion gives for living an ethical life?

There are 3 main principles that are most important to a Sikh. Naam japna: Remember God the creator at all times; Kirit karni: Earn your living in an honest and rightful way; Wandka Shakna: What you have, share with others

(b) How do you go about living a good life? Follow the 3 principles in (a) above - Naam japna, Kirit karni and Wandka Shakna

(c)Are there rules your religion accepts that you reject? No


2) (a) What does your religion say about salvation and the afterlife? (b) What do you believe about the afterlife?

The soul is on a journey of evolution. It evolves from primitive life like plants, lower animals to finally become a human being, which is regarded at the supreme form of life. If you follow the 3 principle listed in 1(a) and become a pious human being you will unite with "God" or Waheguru - that is salvation. Sikhs believe in reincarnation where the soul travel from one material form to another depending on his or her 'karma' or deeds.

3) How does your religion deal with the question "Why do good things happen to bad people?"

"You reap what you sow" - So if you do bad deeds now, they will have a negative impact in the future which could be in your next incarnation

Do you accept any of the answers offered by your religion? Yes.

If not, how would you address the issue? Not relevant


4) Are there any other ways that your personal belief differs from the official doctrine of your religion? Like any good habit, it is tough to follow Sikhism faithfully and completely. Like many others, I am on a slow path slowly improving each year. I have a long way to go to become a first class Sikh!

5) Do you have any favorite passage(s) from the scripture of your religion? If so, why does it appeal to you?

One of Guru Gobind Singh’s (our tenth teacher or Guru) main gifts to the world was the message of unity and equality of all the peoples of the world. The Guru was responsible for the unity of the peoples of Punjab (northern India) and the message of the universal brotherhood of the human race. The Hindus, Muslim, Sikhs and others felt that they were treated fairly and equally within the domain of the Guru. One of Guru’s important message is:

ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤੁਰਕ ਕੋਊ ਰਾਫਜੀ ਇਮਾਮ ਸਾਫੀ 'ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ ॥ hindhoo thurak kooo raafajee eimaam saafee maanas kee jaath sabai eaekai pehichaanabo. Someone is Hindu and someone a Muslim, then someone is Shia, and someone a Sunni, Recognize the whole of human race as one. (Sridasam p51)

The reason is obvious!

I hope you find this reply useful. Kind regards, Hari Singhtalk 17:15, 23 November 2016 (CST)

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Rajinder Singh ji, Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh

Many thanks for your message on the talk page at the Mainpage. I will try and answer your questions as best as possible. Please remember that these are my replies and that many other Sikhs would give answers that would be different but equally correct and in-line with Gurmat.

Q1)

  • (a) What are some of the main rules your religion gives for living an ethical life?
  • (b) How do you go about living a good life?
  • (c) Are there rules your religion accepts that you reject?

A1)

  • (a) Firstly, remember and meditate on God - part of the teachings of Guru Nanak called Naam japo; secondly, earn an honest living by your own personal effort - Kirit karo; and thirdly, share what you have with other less fortunate - Vand shako.
  • (b) By following the above message. By remembering God at all times, I know that I must act in a honest and truthful manner. If I make a mistake, I know I have done wrong and accordingly try and improve for the future. I work hard and diligently so that my time on Earth is used productively in the service of God and His creation. I share 10% of what I earn with people who are less fortunate than me.
  • (c) No

Q2)

  • (a) What does your religion say about salvation and the afterlife?
  • (b) What do you believe about the afterlife?

A2)

  • (a) Sikhi teaches that one keeps being born and dying until he or she has purified their soul to be "united" with God. After this life, one is subject to judgement and if one has not become completely pure, they will be reincarnated into another living being.
    Life is a process where one can "become better" spiritually; by doing good in this world, one attains a better next life. If one continues to do good in his or her "cycles of lives", they will eventually attain salvation. Salvation is only for people who are "God-like" and no one who has not evolved spiritually and morally can improve their chances of attaining salvation.
  • (b) At death, one's soul is presented for judgement. The person who in life remembered God, did good deeds and has purified himself/herself spiritually is united with God and is said to have attain salvation. However, the overwhelming majority, due to their sins and lack of good deeds and actions in life are reincarnated again. There is no other "afterlife" apart from being re-born as another living being; be it animal, plant, etc or being united with God.

Q3)

  • (a) How does your religion deal with the question "Why do good things happen to bad people?"
  • (b) Do you accept any of the answers offered by your religion? If not, how would you address the issue?

A3)

  • (a) What happens in your life is a consequence of your past actions in this life or your past lives. Further, life is a process of purification or "distillation" of the soul. Bad people may have done good things in their previous lives and consequently, they will experience good things in their present life.
    However, the reverse is also common in life - Bad things happen to good people. When bad things happen to a person, Sikhs believe that one's reactions to the "bad occurrence" is being assessed. If one acts positively in reaction to the bad, it will lead to the soul becoming purer or the soul obtaining a more higher status in God's domain; while if one acts negatively, the soul's status is demoted - and thus there is a lesser chance of obtaining salvation.
  • (b) Yes, Sikhism offers a good explanation to this situation, which is fairly common in life.

Q4) Are there any other ways that your personal belief differs from the official doctrine of your religion?

A4) No

Q5) Do you have any favorite passage(s) from the scripture of your religion? If so, why does it appeal to you?

A5) My favorite quotation is:

ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤ੝ਰਕ ਕੋਊ ਰਾਫਜੀ ਇਮਾਮ ਸਾਫੀ ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤ ਸਬੈ ਝਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ ॥
hindhoo thurak kooo raafajee eimaam saafee maanas kee jaath sabai eaekai pehichaanabo.
Some are Hindus and others are Muslims; someone is raafjee (follower of Ali); others are Imam-Shafi (adherents of the Prophet); Recognize the whole of human race as one. (Dasam Granth by Guru Gobind Singh)
This is a quotation by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh and it has a very powerful message. It highlights that fact that all humans beings belong as one and we should treat them all equally and without any discrimination; it is a message of unity and brotherhood. If we all followed this message truly, all enmity in the world would come to an end and we would have no more wars. It is my wish that one day, everyone would recognise important message.

I hope you find this reply useful. Kind regards, Hari Singhtalk 17:50, 8 January 2012 (CST)